San Isabel National Forest
South Colony Trail #1339

This trail gives access to the Crestones, Humboldt Peak and numerous other popular climbing peaks. The hiking is rated as moderate but this area sees human traffic nearly all year round (there's just something about 14ers that attracts people).

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 11,040'
• High Point: 11,680'
• Trail ending: 11,680'

Access: Go south out of Westcliffe on State Highway 69 for about 4.5 miles to the Colfax Lane (County Road 119) turn off. Turn onto Colfax Lane and follow that until it ends at the South Colony Road. Turn right and keep on towards the mountains. About a mile past that junction, there is 2WD parking on the right side of the road. The South Colony Road is rated as one of the worst mountain roads in America but a well-experienced 4WD driver with high clearance can make it the next 6 miles to the end of the road at the South Colony Trailhead.

Notes: South Colony Trail accesses the South Colony Lakes and numerous hiking and climbing trails. The lakes are in the valley with Humboldt Peak (14,064') to the east and Crestone Needle (14,197') and Crestone Peak (14,294') to the west. Most folks who come here are interested in climbing these peaks so they tend to overnight around the lakes and acclimate a bit before getting out early the next morning and mounting their assaults. This is the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness so wilderness rules and regs apply.

USGS Maps: Beck Mountain, Crestone Peak