Crestone Peak - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

Crestone Peak is one of the many great things to do in Saguache County, Colorado. Crestone Peak is a fourteen thousand foot high mountain in the Sangre de Cristo range. There are several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels that allow visitors to experience the stunning views of the valleys and peaks below. In addition, Crestone Peak is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles. For those looking for a more challenging adventure, Crestone Peak also offers rock climbing and rappelling. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time at Crestone Peak, you are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Crestone Peak is the highest summit of the Crestones, a small subrange of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Saguache County, Colorado. The Crestones are a cluster of fourteeners- peaks that rise to an elevation of at least 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) above sea level- and Crestone Peak is the seventh highest mountain in the state. The summit is also notable for its dramatic sheer cliffs, which drop over 1,000 feet (305 meters) from the peak. The name "Crestone" comes from the Spanish word for "crest" or "peak," and it is thought that the name was given to the mountain by early explorers. Crestone Peak has been climb since at least 1869, and it remains a popular destination for mountaineers and hikers today. For those looking for a challenge, Crestone Peak is a worthy goal- just be sure to come prepared for altitude sickness and extreme weather conditions.

The best time to visit Crestone Peak is from late June to early September, when the weather is warm and dry. During this time of year, the trail is free of snow and ice, making it safer and easier to hike.

1. The peak is located in a remote area, so be sure to pack plenty of food and water.
2. There is no cell phone service at the peak, so make sure you have a paper map with you.
3. Be aware of your surroundings and take caution when hiking off-trail. There are many steep drop-offs and cliffs.
4. The altitude can be challenging for some people, so take your time acclimating to the altitude before beginning your hike.
5. Due to the remote location, it can take longer than expected to get help if you need it, so it's important to bring a first-aid kit and be familiar with basic wilderness first-aid.
6. Leave no trace. Crestone Peak is a beautiful place - help keep it that way by following Leave No Trace principles and packing out all of your trash.
7. Start early. Crestone Peak is a popular destination, so avoid the crowds by starting your hike early in the day.
8. Remember that descent is often more difficult than ascent, so take your time and be careful not to get too tired.

1. Crestone Peak is considered one of the harder fourteeners to climb, with an ascent time of anywhere from 6-10 hours.
2. There are no established trails to the summit of Crestone Peak, making route-finding a necessary skill for climbers.
3. The majority of successful summit bids are made using the South Ridge or West Slopes routes. 
4. An overnight stay at one of the high camps is often required for climbers attempting Crestone Peak.
5. At 14,294 feet, Crestone Peak ranks as the seventh-highest summit in the Rocky Mountains of North America.
6. Even though it's not Yosemite or Vail, people travel from all around to see and experience everything that Saguache County has to offer including some great camping, fishing and stunning views from atop Crestone Peak."
7. The peak is named for the town of Crestone, Colorado, which in turn was named for the 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan de la Cruzado Alvarado, who was nicknamed "El Crestón" because of his prominent eyebrow ridges. 

The entire hike takes about 8-10 hours, depending on conditions and fitness level.

There are several ways to reach Crestone Peak, Saguache County, Colorado. The most popular route is via the South Colony Lakes trailhead, which begins at an elevation of 9,800 feet and climbs to a saddle between Brokenhand Peak and Crestone Needle at 12,700 feet. From the saddle, it is a short hike to the summit of Crestone Peak. For those looking for a longer adventure, the Cottonwood Creek trailhead offers a more challenging route with a longer approach.

While there is no fee to explore Crestone Peak, Saguache County, Colorado, donations are always appreciated to help with trail maintenance and upkeep. 

Crestone Peak is only accessible during specific times of the year. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the peak is open to the public from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Outside of this time frame, the peak is only open to those who have obtained a permit from the United States Forest Service.