Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Thanks for the write up!
My Colorado Travelings
- Thread starter TripLeader
- Start date
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 1 [The 2020 Trip]
My two old friends and I got together and planned another trip. We were lucky enough to make it happen. We also brought along a fourth--another old friend of ours.
The itinerary was set for the Sangre de Cristo Range. We'd backpack in and basecamp near South Colony Lakes. We'd dayhike to hit some 14ers from there.
Humboldt and the Crestones were on the list. Maybe Kit Carson? And then maybe Lindsey?
We spied the cropduster somewhere in eastern Colorado on the way there.
We drove up the rough high-clearance road to the South Colony Lakes trailhead. It was a decent challenge in some spots for the old 2WD F-150.
Our camp near the end of the road. It was our luxury setup with the big tent and cots inside. We would be spending the next several nights after this in our small backpacking tents.
Part 1 [The 2020 Trip]
My two old friends and I got together and planned another trip. We were lucky enough to make it happen. We also brought along a fourth--another old friend of ours.
The itinerary was set for the Sangre de Cristo Range. We'd backpack in and basecamp near South Colony Lakes. We'd dayhike to hit some 14ers from there.
Humboldt and the Crestones were on the list. Maybe Kit Carson? And then maybe Lindsey?
We spied the cropduster somewhere in eastern Colorado on the way there.
We drove up the rough high-clearance road to the South Colony Lakes trailhead. It was a decent challenge in some spots for the old 2WD F-150.
Our camp near the end of the road. It was our luxury setup with the big tent and cots inside. We would be spending the next several nights after this in our small backpacking tents.
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 2 [Backpacking to South Colony Lakes]
This trip was somewhat of a repeat for me. But I hadn't been there in a long time. And my friends had never been to the Sangres, except for one night at Great Sand Dunes.
We packed up our luxury camp and backpacked in.
Getting closer to finding a campsite.
There wasn't an immediate spot that caught our eye. We were looking for a space big enough for two tents, plus a place to hang a fly. We did some scouting and found a site that a camper was just vacating. It would work for us.
We went and sat in an overlook after setting up camp. There were numerous campsites that surrounded the basin holding the lakes. Other campers had the same idea.
Part 2 [Backpacking to South Colony Lakes]
This trip was somewhat of a repeat for me. But I hadn't been there in a long time. And my friends had never been to the Sangres, except for one night at Great Sand Dunes.
We packed up our luxury camp and backpacked in.
Getting closer to finding a campsite.
There wasn't an immediate spot that caught our eye. We were looking for a space big enough for two tents, plus a place to hang a fly. We did some scouting and found a site that a camper was just vacating. It would work for us.
We went and sat in an overlook after setting up camp. There were numerous campsites that surrounded the basin holding the lakes. Other campers had the same idea.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 3 [Hiking Up Humboldt Peak 14,065']
We set out for Humboldt the next morning. We only had two nights to acclimatize, so we knew we'd be feeling the altitude. But we only had one week total for the entire trip.
We started out just before dawn. We hiked past this camp.
Overlooking another dawn hiker by one of the upper lakes.
Approaching the saddle that connects Humboldt to the rest of the Sangres.
Getting up there on Humboldt, but looking back toward Crestone Needle (on the left) and Crestone Peak (on the right).
Approaching Humboldt's summit.
Part 3 [Hiking Up Humboldt Peak 14,065']
We set out for Humboldt the next morning. We only had two nights to acclimatize, so we knew we'd be feeling the altitude. But we only had one week total for the entire trip.
We started out just before dawn. We hiked past this camp.
Overlooking another dawn hiker by one of the upper lakes.
Approaching the saddle that connects Humboldt to the rest of the Sangres.
Getting up there on Humboldt, but looking back toward Crestone Needle (on the left) and Crestone Peak (on the right).
Approaching Humboldt's summit.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 4 [Humboldt's Summit & Downclimb]
At the top.
Heading down.
Broken Hand Pass is at the low point in the center of the ridgeline. (We'll get to that later in the trip.)
Part 4 [Humboldt's Summit & Downclimb]
At the top.
Heading down.
Broken Hand Pass is at the low point in the center of the ridgeline. (We'll get to that later in the trip.)
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 5 [Back at Camp]
We relaxed again with nearby views after a day of hiking.
The next morning, after sunrise.
Part 5 [Back at Camp]
We relaxed again with nearby views after a day of hiking.
The next morning, after sunrise.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 6 [The Mine]
It was our rest day after summiting Humboldt. So we took a hike to a nearby mine to pass the time.
We turned around and headed out. We had a snack outside and headed back to camp.
Part 6 [The Mine]
It was our rest day after summiting Humboldt. So we took a hike to a nearby mine to pass the time.
We turned around and headed out. We had a snack outside and headed back to camp.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 7 [Splish Splash]
So what else to do on rest day? Take a bath!
It was quite a majestic feeling being out in one of the lakes with Crestone Needle above us.
The majesty almost made the cold water bearable. Almost.
Part 7 [Splish Splash]
So what else to do on rest day? Take a bath!
It was quite a majestic feeling being out in one of the lakes with Crestone Needle above us.
The majesty almost made the cold water bearable. Almost.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 8 [Chipmunks]
We mostly read books while sitting around camp and saving our energy for the next day. The wind was the biggest nuisance. The chipmunks were the next.
Part 8 [Chipmunks]
We mostly read books while sitting around camp and saving our energy for the next day. The wind was the biggest nuisance. The chipmunks were the next.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 9 [Up Early for Crestone Peak]
We made a pre-dawn start for Crestone Peak.
The trail up to Broken Hand Pass was rocky and hard to follow at times in the dark. But we found our way after one unintended minor detour.
Looking back to the east, the side we came from, at the top of the pass.
Heading down the west side of the pass, coming up to Cottonwood Lake.
Continuing on.
The views looking out toward the San Luis Valley were stunning in the pre-dawn light.
We started ascending again and made our approach to the Red Couloir--the path up Crestone Peak.
Part 9 [Up Early for Crestone Peak]
We made a pre-dawn start for Crestone Peak.
The trail up to Broken Hand Pass was rocky and hard to follow at times in the dark. But we found our way after one unintended minor detour.
Looking back to the east, the side we came from, at the top of the pass.
Heading down the west side of the pass, coming up to Cottonwood Lake.
Continuing on.
The views looking out toward the San Luis Valley were stunning in the pre-dawn light.
We started ascending again and made our approach to the Red Couloir--the path up Crestone Peak.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 10 [The Peak Eludes Me Again]
We were gaining elevation in the Red Couloir. I had been there years earlier and turned around because it was out of my comfort zone. This time turned out to be the same.
I took a look around, and watched my friends continue up and away.
I made my way down while they headed up and summitted.
This marmot came right up to me on my descent.
Part 10 [The Peak Eludes Me Again]
We were gaining elevation in the Red Couloir. I had been there years earlier and turned around because it was out of my comfort zone. This time turned out to be the same.
I took a look around, and watched my friends continue up and away.
I made my way down while they headed up and summitted.
This marmot came right up to me on my descent.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 11 [The Fightin' Marmots]
The plan was to meet my partners by Cottonwood Lake. I had plenty of time to get there. I admired the scenery as I slowly made my way.
These two marmots were about to provide some entertainment.
Looking back at some hikers ascending.
The two marmots met up and started tusslin'. They seemed familiar with each other and they weren't really fighting, just playing.
I left the base of Crestone Peak and hiked on toward the lake.
Part 11 [The Fightin' Marmots]
The plan was to meet my partners by Cottonwood Lake. I had plenty of time to get there. I admired the scenery as I slowly made my way.
These two marmots were about to provide some entertainment.
Looking back at some hikers ascending.
The two marmots met up and started tusslin'. They seemed familiar with each other and they weren't really fighting, just playing.
I left the base of Crestone Peak and hiked on toward the lake.
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 12 [Returning to Camp Via Cottonwood Lake & Broken Hand Pass]
Part 12 [Returning to Camp Via Cottonwood Lake & Broken Hand Pass]
Last edited:
TripLeader
Explorer
Aug. 2020
Part 13 [To Kit Carson]
We set off early the next morning. The plan was to try to make it to Kit Carson Peak, 14,165'.
There was not a clear trail. The standard route up Kit Carson is from the other side
We should have followed this ridge upward. We veered off to the right. The few cairns there started diminishing on us.
The sunrise behind Humboldt.
Going off trail took us to this small point at dawn.
We found our way and continued toward Bear's Playground, along the way to Kit Carson.
Part 13 [To Kit Carson]
We set off early the next morning. The plan was to try to make it to Kit Carson Peak, 14,165'.
There was not a clear trail. The standard route up Kit Carson is from the other side
We should have followed this ridge upward. We veered off to the right. The few cairns there started diminishing on us.
The sunrise behind Humboldt.
Going off trail took us to this small point at dawn.
We found our way and continued toward Bear's Playground, along the way to Kit Carson.
Last edited:
Similar threads
