Approaches

There are four approaches to these mountains; Spanish Creek, Willow Creek, Cottonwood Creek and the most popular South Colony. All approaches offer epic wilderness camping.

• The Eastern approaches: Spanish Creek, Cottonwood Creek and South Colony offer proximity to Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle and Humbolt Peak.
• Eastern Willow Creek is the approach used to climb Kit Carson, Challenger Point and Columbia Point, the "shuttle peaks."
• The famous climbers route, Ellingwood Arête on Crestone Needle, is accessed by Cottonwood Creek (long backpack) or the South Colony trailhead.
• Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle (without Humbolt Peak) could be accessed by Spanish Creek (long backpack) if you are seeking a real wilderness experience and less crowds.
• South Colony offers access to Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle and Humbolt Peak. Adding Kit Carson and the "shuttle peaks" is possible from this trailhead but requires a long approach whether you start from the trailhead or the lakes. However, this is the most common trailhead to climb them all.