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I've been wanting to finish up the Crestone group now for over a year, and thought this would be a perfect time. I was planning both the Peak and the Needle as a duo last year but it never seemed to work out for me, either I was too tired or was stormed off. Usually the mountain is the most exciting part of the trip but this time it was the drive up to the peak. It was around 8pm friday night and my wife and I were both excited to get up to South Colony lakes, but as we were crossing over the Wet Mountains we collided with a deer. It was very scary, but thankfully it was quick for the poor animal. We were both very upset about the deer, and we had to reconsider the trip. But my wife and I were left unscathed and the 4runner was minus a headlight, and now I have to crawl out the passenger side door to get out. We were very fortunate that we weren't injured or worse. We decided that we could still continue, and I didn't want this to ruin our trip, the show must go on!
We arrived at the trailhead around 930pm and started to load up our stuff for the hike in. Last year while we were up here we had seen some camp spots near the creek down a little hill that we really liked and decided one day we would camp there. The spots were taken but behind those spots are what I believe are even better spots because it is more secluded, to my surprise they were empty! We ended up having the camp setup around 11pm, and we were in bed by midnight. I woke up at 520am, took my time and made some oatmeal, ate, and was on the trail by 6am.
This is still one of my favorite 14er pictures
Taken shortly after the trail break to the Crestone Needle
This was turning out to be a much better hike than Little Bear last week, I was feeling good and was highly motivated. Broken Hand pass came very quickly.
Broken hand pass with climbers present
I started to warm up quickly on the ascent of Broken Hand Pass but once I hit the apex of the pass the wind was brutal and I was forced to layer up once again. I quickly dropped down towards cottonwood lake to escape the wind.
A carpet of wildflowers greet you near Cottonwood lake
Slightly past Cottonwood lake looking back up Broken Hand Pass
The hike after the down climb of BH pass is very pleasant, it is very mellow and gives you a little recovery time after your previous ascent/descent. But you are quickly reminded of your desire after you bank around the lake. Now the real work begins.
The famous red gulley (there is a trace amount of snow near the top)
This traverse amazes me!
Somewhere near the bottom of the gulley I met a nice guy named Keith, and 14ers.com member Amy a.k.a ShredtheGnar10. It was a pleasure going up and down the gulley with you two!
Taken near the bottom of the gulley
Amy contemplating her next move
Looking down from where the above picture was taken, this rock was smooth but my shoes were tacky enough just to walk up/down it
Keith and Amy navigate what I think is one of the steepest sections of the gulley
There was a lot of water/verglass present but it was all easily avoidable by staying climbers left. This gulley is long but is abounding with differing terrain.
Sometimes mellow, sometimes steep.....but always long!
The crazy thing is every time I looked down I couldn't see where I came from, it always seemed to bank too steeply down.
Steeply banking down
Once I saw the snow field I knew we were getting close. I now started noticing more and more descenders, this was a telltale sign we were getting closer as well. I also met 14ers.com member Aubrey which to me was awesome, now I could thank the man who had helped me a lot this season personally. Thanks again buddy!
I decided to go straight up the middle of the snow field on a staircase of rocks, which was downright fun!
Amy decided to go to the left of the snowfield while I stayed in the middle. (nearing the top of the snow field)
Looking down the gulley from the top of the snow field. Notice the prominence of rock in the middle of the field. (Left side of picture)
Once we summited the red gulley you are treated to a nice view of Challenger/Kit Carson peaks.
Challenger/Kit Carson from the top of the gulley with a piece of Crestone Peak on the side
There is some ultimately fun scrambling near the summit which I failed to document due to my excitement. But we all made it to the summit safely!
The Needle seems really far away
The summit of Kit Carson gets pretty busy, he better enjoy it while it lasts!
Woo-hoo!
The terrain up here is wild
An unobstructed view of the Needle from the Summit
This is one of my favorite spots in Colorado, and I am very blessed to have been able to explore almost every corner of it. It is a shame that they are closing the road down but they seem to be doing it for all the right reasons, because of this it will a long time before I return. Thank you for the nice hike Amy and Keith it was a memorable one. Although the Needle remains my favorite 14er, this is a close second. Here are some parting shots
Peak to Needle Traverse
The Needle
Crestone Peak/Needle as seen from Kit Carson. Taken in 2008
Thank you for reading!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Going up a nice class 3 section like the Red Gully seems reasonable enough. Can you describe what the down climb is like? It just always seems to me that climbing down class 3 (I haven‘t done much at all) would be more risky and more difficult route finding.
Randal: Downclimbing the class 3 sections are a little harder than going up them, but at least in the RedGulley route finding isn't a problem, you just have to take a little more time to pick a good line down.
Aubrey: Thanks again for the invite to climb the Needle with you guys! I look up to you for motivation!
George: I want to try to finish next year, but I'm not too sure if I can.
Deer: I'm sorry!
JAson... great TR! I‘ll be able to use it for my Crestone trip in September. Sorry about the deer damage to your 4Runner. When are they ever going to remove the magnets from those guys that makes them so attracted to vehicles?!
Good job I‘ve been watching your reports and your peak list growing. Tearing it up this summer man!
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