Crestone Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crestone Peak
Crestone Peak seen from Kit Carson
Highest point
Elevation	14,300 ft (4359 m) NAVD88
Prominence	4554 ft (1388 m)
Isolation	27.4 mi (44.0 km)
Listing	North America highest peaks 36th U.S. highest major peaks 22nd Colorado highest major peaks 7th Colorado fourteeners 7th Colorado county high points 7th
Geography
Crestone Peak Location in Colorado
Location	High point of Saguache County, Colorado, United States.
Parent range	Sangre de Cristo Range, Highest summit of the Crestones
Topo map	USGS 7.5' topographic map Crestone Peak, Colorado
Climbing
First ascent	1916 by Eleanor Davis and party
Easiest route	Scramble (class 3)

Crestone Peak is a very tall mountain in Colorado, United States. It is the seventh-highest mountain in Colorado that is over 14,000 feet tall. Mountains over 14,000 feet are often called "fourteeners."

This amazing peak is part of the Rocky Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Range. It stands proudly in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, which is part of the Rio Grande National Forest. The mountain is about 5 miles (8.1 km) east of the Town of Crestone.

Crestone Peak rises about 7,000 feet above the San Luis Valley. It shares its name with a nearby mountain called Crestone Needle. These two peaks are part of a group of high mountains known as "The Crestones." This group also includes Kit Carson Peak, Challenger Point, Humboldt Peak, and Columbia Point.

Climbing Crestone Peak

Climbing Crestone Peak is an exciting adventure, but it is also very challenging. Most climbers start their journey from a "base camp." A base camp is a temporary camp where climbers stay before heading up the mountain.

South Colony Lakes Route

One popular way to climb Crestone Peak starts from the South Colony Lakes. This area is east of the peak. To reach it, you usually come from the Wet Mountain Valley. This route involves climbing almost 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) in height!

The path leads to a flat area called "The Pool Table." From there, climbers go up a long, steep gully on the northwest side of Crestone Peak. This part can be tricky because small rocks might fall, so wearing a climbing helmet is a good idea.

Cottonwood Creek Route

Another way to climb Crestone Peak is the Cottonwood Creek route. This route starts from the San Luis Valley on the west side. You follow Cottonwood Creek up to Cottonwood Lake.

The trail starts out clear, but it can become harder to follow higher up. Eventually, it connects with the main route from South Colony Lakes. From there, climbers can access the South Face route of Crestone Peak.

Safety Tips for Climbers

Crestone Peak is known for being one of the more difficult fourteeners to climb in Colorado. Accidents can happen, sometimes due to falls or lightning. During summer, lightning storms are common in the Sangre de Cristos, so it's important to start climbs early and be off the mountain before afternoon storms hit.

Connecting Peaks

From the top of Crestone Peak, you can try to climb to the summit of Crestone Needle. This is a technical climb that requires ropes (Class 5). However, most climbers choose to climb Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle on separate trips.

Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle in the fall

Images for kids

• 

  Crestone Peak seen from Kit Carson

See also

• In Spanish: Pico Crestone para niños