Crestones facts for kids
The Crestones are a special group of four tall mountains in Colorado. They are part of the Sangre de Cristo Range. These mountains are near the town of Crestone in southern Colorado. Each of these peaks is over 14,000 feet (4,268 meters) high. Mountains this tall are often called "fourteeners."
The four main peaks in the Crestones group are:
- Crestone Peak (14,294 feet or 4,357 meters)
- Crestone Needle (14,197 feet or 4,327 meters)
- Kit Carson Mountain (14,165 feet or 4,317 meters)
- Humboldt Peak (14,064 feet or 4,287 meters)
If you plan to visit, the snow on these mountains usually melts by early July. During late July and August, be ready for afternoon rain, hail, and lightning. This weather comes from a seasonal weather pattern called a monsoon.
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Exploring the Crestones: Climbing Routes
The Crestones offer different challenges for people who enjoy climbing mountains. Some routes are harder than others. It's always important to be prepared and safe when climbing.
Climbing Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle
Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle are known for being more difficult climbs. They involve what climbers call "scrambling." This means you'll use both your hands and feet to climb over rocks. There are also parts where you might feel very high up, which is called "exposure." On Crestone Peak, there's a risk of rocks falling, so climbers need to be extra careful.
Climbing Kit Carson Mountain
Kit Carson Mountain is generally easier to climb than Crestone Peak or Crestone Needle. It's often called a "walk-up" mountain, meaning you can hike most of the way. However, it's very important to follow the correct path. If you get off the right route, it can become dangerous. Kit Carson Mountain also has two important sub-peaks:
- Challenger Point (14,081 feet or 4,292 meters)
- Columbia Point (13,980 feet or 4,261 meters)
Climbing Humboldt Peak
Humboldt Peak is considered the easiest of the four Crestones. It has a clear and straightforward path to the top. Because it's easier, sometimes people don't always include Humboldt Peak when they talk about "The Crestones."
Other Nearby Peaks
There are other notable peaks close to the Crestones. Broken Hand Peak, which is 13,573 feet (4,137 meters) tall, is southeast of Crestone Needle. It's officially part of the "Crestone Peaks" area. Just north of the Crestones is Mount Adams, which is 13,931 feet (4,246 meters) high and also very rugged.
Safety Tips for Climbing
Climbing Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle is more challenging than many other fourteeners in Colorado. It's very important to be cautious and well-prepared. Always research your route, check the weather, and consider climbing with experienced people. Being safe means understanding the risks and knowing your limits.
