Matt Lee and I climbed Crestone Needle last Sunday. I know why everyone we passed that day agreed that this was their favorite 14er to date. The only appropriate way to describe these two 14ers is as The Mighty Crestones! Crestone Needle is 14,197′ (19th tallest) and Crestone Peak is 14,294′ (7th tallest).
When you reach the lower South Colony lake you believe you will see those Mighty Crestones! Like last weekend when we climbed Quandary, we were treated to fog first thing in the a.m. When we reached the first lake we didn’t know which peak we would be climbing. And then like Lamont Cranston, we saw the Needle break through the clouds. There was no question.
This is the funnest 14er I’ve done. It has just the right amount of technicality and exposure. The lakes are visible throughout the hike. When you reach the summit you immediately notice it isn’t very roomy, hopefully you have it to yourself like I did.
