-Humboldt Peak Attempt-

Elevation: 14,064 ft.

Date Hiked: 3-31 to 4-1-2007

Trip Report:
The Sangre De Cristo Mountains and a range in the southern part of Colorado. This range has 10 14ers including Humboldt Peak. I had never hiked in the Sangre De Cristos before and wanted to check them out. Since there was still snow everywhere I thought Humboldt Peak would be a good peak to attempt. My friend Eric, who now guides with International Mountain Guides, came along for the trip as well.

Humboldt Peak and the Crestones from near Westcliffe

I left Lakewood around 9 AM and made the 3 hour drive to Westcliffe where I was meeting Eric. The drive was uneventful and I met Eric around 12:30. We then drove to the trailhead south of the town. We could only drive a short ways before there was to much snow so we parked and began the 5 mile hike to South Colony Lake.

Our Parking Spot

The hike to the lake took a few hours with all of the gear we were carrying. We only saw a few other people hiking out from the lake. They said they wind was unbearable the night before. We got to a spot a few hundred feet below the lake and decided to set up camp there. There was a nice flat spot near some trees for our tent. Once camp was set up we fell asleep.

Our Camp Site

Crestone Needle from Camp

Crestone Needle after Sunset

The wind was crazy all night long and it got worse toward the morning. We work up early and both decided it was not a good day to be up high. Instead we hung out at camp and I took some photos.

Humboldt Peak from Camp

Crestone Needle from Camp

We then packed up camp and headed out. When we were out of the mountains we noticed it had snowed in Westcliffe the night before. All the new snow made for a great panorama.

Sangre De Cristo Panorama