Crestone Peak

Crestone Peak is the seventh-highest peak in Colorado and the centerpiece of the Crestone group in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The standard South Face / Red Gully route from South Colony Lakes is a Class 3 climb on distinctive conglomerate rock — solid, grippy, and unique among Colorado 14ers. The route gains 5,500 feet over 13 miles round trip and is most often combined with neighboring Crestone Needle for an exposed Class 5 traverse along the ridge. The Sangre de Cristo Wilderness protects the surrounding alpine basins, and the trailhead approach (4WD-required) lengthens the day for most parties.