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Peak(s)  Crestone Needle  -  14,196 feet
Crestone Peak  -  14,299 feet
Date Posted  09/28/2015
Date Climbed   09/26/2015
Author  wildsidesky
 Sangre De Crestones - Needle and Peak   
Sangre De Crestones - The Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak
Standard Route(s) - the South Face of both
Date Climbed: 9/26


We backpacked up to the upper South Colony Lake from the 4WD trailhead, where we made camp, and the following day we climbed the Needle, descended to Cottonwood Lake, then ascended the red gulley to climb the Peak. This of course required descent, then re-ascent of the pass, providing us a long but rewarding day.

Click here to read the entire trip-report: SANGRE DE CRESTONES


In the report I discuss trail conditions, milage, gain, difficulty, crowds, camping, etc. Also, there's a fair amount of photos to pair along! For a Saturday I was fairly surprised that we didn't see anyone on the ascent/descent of the needle, though we did see people at the summit. We had the summit of the peak to ourselves but saw a handful of people descending. Swimming in Cottonwood Lake was nice

and here is a sneak peek at a couple of the photos!

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Alpenglow on the Needle, our view from camp.

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Hiking towards the Needle

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Summit of Crestone Peak

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Looking up at the red gulley (after ascent)

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Summit of the Needle



Thanks for taking a look! Hope it helps someone else to get them this season. Enjoy!



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5


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