Mountaineering · YDS Class 2

West Ridge (South Colony Lakes)

Distance RT
11.0 mi
Gain
4,199 ft
High Point
14,062 ft
Route Description

The easiest of the Crestone-group Sangre de Cristo fourteeners, and a common first outing or warm-up before tackling Crestone Peak or Needle from the same basin.

Approach

Access is via the South Colony Lakes trailheads southwest of Westcliffe, shared with Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle. From the upper 4WD trailhead, follow the road/trail toward South Colony Lakes. At the junction near the lakes, bear right (north) toward Humboldt rather than left toward Broken Hand Pass and the Crestones. Climb Humboldt's west ridge on a trail that thins out and becomes harder to follow near the summit; stay on the ridge proper, watch for cairns, and favor the right side of the ridge in the final quarter mile to the top at 14,064 feet.

Descent

Reverse the west ridge back to South Colony Lakes and the trailhead.

Weather Forecast
7-Day Forecast
Today
☁️
Overcast
43° / 29°
5%
💨24
Tomorrow
❄️
Snow
32° / 28°
88%
❄ 6.0"
💨37
Tue, Sep 29
🌧️
Showers
35° / 28°
82%
💧0.67"
💨7
Wed, Sep 30
🌧️
Drizzle
41° / 26°
78%
💧0.04"
💨8
Thu, Oct 1
🌤️
Partly Cloudy
41° / 23°
37%
💨6
Fri, Oct 2
☀️
Clear
46° / 22°
2%
💨6
Sat, Oct 3
☁️
Overcast
45° / 24°
6%
💨7
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