is the seventh highest peak in the
U.S. State of
Colorado . It is the second highest peak in the
Sangre De Cristo Range after
Blanca Peak . It rises in the
Sangre De Cristo Wilderness above the east side of the
San Luis Valley along the boundary between
Saguache and
Custer counties, approximately 5 miles (8 km) east of the town of
Crestone . It shares its name with the nearby
Crestone Needle , another
Fourteener of the Sangre de Cristo Range. The high peaks of Crestone Peak,
Crestone Needle ,
Kit Carson Peak , and
Humboldt Peak are often referred to collectively as the
Crestones .
Generally
Climbs of Crestone Peak Needle start from a
Base Camp at South Colony Lakes, east of the peak, accessed from the
Wet Mountain Valley on the northeast side of the range. The route ascends from the lake, northward to a large relatively flat area called "The Pool Table" (a few large rocks lie on the tundra) or the "Bears' Playground." Then it ascends a long gully on the northwest side of Crestone Peak, which involves some
Rockfall danger (hence a
Climbing Helmet is suggested).
From Crestone Peak, it is a mildly technical (Class 4--rope recommended) ridge
Scramble to the summit of Crestone Needle; similarly in the other direction. However Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle are more commonly climbed separately.
