Crestone Traverse

Last Climbed: 9/20/2025
TH: Cottonwood Creek
Summits:
* Crestone Peak
* Northeast Crestone
* East Crestone (list of 73 finisher)
* Crestone Needle
Distance: 13.9m
Vertical: 7100ft
Time: 10.5 Hours

I have done the Crestone Traverse three times now... with each outting being a little different.

Twice from South Colony and once from Cottonwood.

One of the South Colony trips included a climb of Broken Hand Peak after the traverse.

The Cottonwood trip included Northeast Crestone... which was my list of 73 finisher!

Both of the South Colony trips were backpacks while the Cottonwood trip was a single push from the TH.

Cottonwood would make for a great backpack trip as well... we passed a couple of very nice camp spots and there are plenty of water sources.

Both South Colony and Cottonwood are great approaches, however Cottonwood seems to have less people and no bumpy road to deal with. In addition, when approaching from Cottonwood, you don't have to climb and descend Broken Hand Pass.

I think I prefer the Cottonwood approach.... unless your plan is to climb Crestone Peak's North Butress... then South Colony is the way to go.

This report includes images from all of the of the trips and a GPX file for both Cottonwood and South Colony approaches. The stats above are for Cottonwood only.

Partners:
Crestone Peak & Needle: Andrew Hollenbeck, Tyler Jones, Kristi Henes, Robby Grace, Jim Griffiths, Mike Poland, Allison Seymour, Jordan Harris
Northeast Crestone:Andrew Hollenbeck
East Crestone:Andrew Hollenbeck, Tyler Jones, Kristi Henes, Robby Grace

GPX - South Colonoy Approach
GPX - Peak to Needle and Broken Hand Peak from South Colony
GPX - Peak to Needle from Cottonwood w/NE Crestone

Crestone Peak 14ers.com Page
Northeast Crestone 14ers.com Page
East Crestone 14ers.com Page
Crestone Needle 14ers.com Page
Broken Hand 14ers.com Page

Columbia Point & ObstructionHumboldt Peak