South Colony Lakes

The South Colony Lake Approach is a scenic route into one of Colorado's most spectacular alpine basins, located in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Serving as the primary access point for climbing several prominent peaks—including Humboldt Peak, Crestone Needle, and Crestone Peak—this hike features a moderate, steady climb through evergreen forests, eventually opening up to views of the rugged Crestones and the alpine waters of South Colony Lakes. Starting from the upper four-wheel-drive trailhead at approximately 9,900 feet, hikers have a choice of two trails leading into the lake basin. The left fork follows the old, closed four-wheel-drive road. This route is wider and offers a smoother, more gradual, and steady grade, better for the descent. The right fork is a dedicated singletrack foot trail that is narrower, steeper, and more rugged, with more rocks and roots underfoot, but it is highly scenic as it winds through dense forest closer to South Colony Creek. Both trails lead into the upper basin near South Colony Lakes at approximately 11,600 feet, where the towering, sheer walls of Crestone Needle dominate the skyline. Near the lower lake, the trail splits again: the right fork leads to designated wilderness campsites and the standard route up Humboldt Peak, while the left fork climbs toward Broken Hand Pass, the gateway to Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle.