Humboldt Peak (14,064′), Sangre de Cristo Range
Humboldt Peak is part of the Crestones in the rugged Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The Crestones are a cluster of 14,000′ peaks comprising Crestone Peak, Crestone Needle, Kit Carson Peak, Challenger Point, Humboldt Peak, and Columbia Point. Humboldt Peak is the least difficult hike (difficult Class 2). The rest of the Crestone Group is Class 3, 4, and 5 climbing.
As the trail winds up Humboldt Peak you pass the South Colony Lakes, the most popular back country camping site in the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Upper South Colony Lakes
- Round trip: 11 miles / 17.7 km
- Elevation: 9,816′ – 14,064′ / 2,992m – 4,287m
- County: Saguache
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: San Isabel
Trail Pictures
Almost sunrise with smoke to the east
Almost sunrise with smoke to the east
Big Horn Sheep (center) next to campground
Big Horn Sheep (center) next to campground
The trail ends leaving a scramble to the summit
The trail ends leaving a scramble to the summit
Lower South Colony Lake
Lower South Colony Lake
A Pika, seen on most high mountain peaks
A Pika, seen on most high mountain peaks
Looking north along the Sangre de Cristo range
Looking north along the Sangre de Cristo range
Beautiful views of the Crestone’s from the trail
Beautiful views of the Crestone’s from the trail
Looking south along the Sangre de Cristo range
Looking south along the Sangre de Cristo range
The Crestone’s and the South Colony Lakes
The Crestone’s and the South Colony Lakes
Valley with the North Colony Lakes
Valley with the North Colony Lakes
Looking back at the ridge during the scramble to the top
Looking back at the ridge during the scramble to the top
Columbia and Challenger, two 14ers) to the left (near center)
Columbia and Challenger, two 14ers) to the left (near center)
Crestone Needle (left) and Crestone Peak (right), two more 14ers
Crestone Needle (left) and Crestone Peak (right), two more 14ers
Massive peaks
Massive peaks
The false summit ahead
The false summit ahead
View of Colony Baldy and the North Colony Lakes
View of Colony Baldy and the North Colony Lakes
Humboldt Peak ahead, but still not the summit
Humboldt Peak ahead, but still not the summit
Great views from the trail once above timberline
Great views from the trail once above timberline
Upper and Lower South Colony Lakes
Upper and Lower South Colony Lakes
Nearing the ridge
Nearing the ridge
Heading up to the ridge, lots of elevation gain
Heading up to the ridge, lots of elevation gain
Upper South Colony Lake
Upper South Colony Lake
View of Crestone Needle from the Lake
View of Crestone Needle from the Lake
The trail travels near the upper South Colony Lake
The trail travels near the upper South Colony Lake
3 days before the first snow of the season
3 days before the first snow of the season
Humboldt Peak 14,064′
Humboldt Peak 14,064′
Trail through the heavy forest
Trail through the heavy forest
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The trail climbs the peak from the South Colony Lakes basin, accessed from the east side of the range. This basin is a popular site that is also the base for most climbs of Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle. You start the hike on a very rugged four-wheel drive road that was closed in 2009 as it follows the South Colony drainage.
Once near the lakes there will be Forest Service signs providing information on the area. Going NW (Humboldt Peak cutoff trail) at the junction, takes you to the Upper South Colony Lake.
The trail climbs steeply to the ridge from the upper lake. Once on the ridge stay to the center for the safest scramble to the summit. The northern side is treacherous with a steep drop for most of the remaining route.
Once on the false summit, head to the northeast to the true summit along large talus.
Trailhead Directions