South Crestone Lake

This trail ascends along South Crestone Creek through a scenic progression of aspen groves, lush hillside meadows, and high mountain forests, ultimately leading to South Crestone Lake. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness within the Rio Grande National Forest, this challenging trail offers expansive views across the San Luis Valley. The alpine lake sits in a rugged basin directly below Mount Adams, which towers at 13,931 feet. The trail climbs from an elevation of approximately 8,927 feet at the trailhead to nearly 11,824 feet at the lake. Due to the high altitude and rapid weather changes characteristic of the Sangre de Cristo Range, hikers should prepare for shifting conditions and sudden storms. The round-trip hike is approximately 11 miles and typically requires about 10 hours to complete. The trailhead is accessible via South Crestone Creek Road (Forest Road 949) near the town of Crestone.