The standard route on Crestone Needle, a sustained Class 3 climb on solid conglomerate rock above Broken Hand Pass.
Access is via the South Colony Lakes trailheads southwest of Westcliffe, the same access used for neighboring Crestone Peak; current trailhead access has shifted in recent years with road closures and rerouting, so confirm current conditions before relying on older mileage figures. From the upper 4WD trailhead, the route follows the same approach as Crestone Peak up to South Colony Lake, then climbs to Broken Hand Pass at about 12,950 feet. From the pass, the South Face route ascends one of two parallel gullies — East or West — on solid conglomerate rock to the summit. The East Gully is longer with easier route-finding; the West Gully is shorter but more committing. Both hold real exposure and are rated Class 3.
Descend the same gully system back to Broken Hand Pass and reverse the approach. Parties combining this with Crestone Peak via the Crestone Traverse should treat that connection as a separate, much more serious Class 5 undertaking.