The standard route on Crestone Peak, a sustained Class 3 scramble up a distinctive red conglomerate gully above South Colony Lakes.
Access is via the South Colony Lakes trailheads southwest of Westcliffe: from town, head south on Colorado 69 about 4.5 miles, turn onto Colfax Lane for 5.5 miles, then follow dirt roads to the trailhead area. A lower 2WD parking area sits around 8,800 feet; a rougher upper road continues toward 9,950 feet but has seen closures and rerouting in recent years, so current trailhead access and mileage should be confirmed against a recent trip report before relying on older figures. From the upper trailhead, the trail climbs past Crestone Mine and up to South Colony Lake, then ascends a large boulder field toward Broken Hand Pass and on to Cottonwood Lake below Crestone Peak's south face. The route climbs the South Face via the Red Couloir (Red Gully) — a steep, exposed conglomerate gully. The rock is notably solid and grippy compared to typical Colorado talus, but the gully is sustained and holds real exposure; the short scramble to the summit at the top of the gully is comparatively easy.
Descend the same gully. Many parties combine Crestone Peak with neighboring Crestone Needle via Broken Hand Pass rather than descending and reclimbing separately, but that connection (the "Crestone Traverse") is Class 5 terrain and a distinct, more serious route from the standard ascent described here.