Crestone Needle and Peak: 14ers (Ellingwood Arete)

Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak

I had finally convinced Ben to climb the Ellingwood Arête up the Crestone Needle, and so we went the first Sunady in August.  We left the Springs early and drove down to the South Colony trailhead on Friday.  We 4×4-ed to the new lower 4-wheel drive trailhead and were on the hike up by 6pm, slogging along the old 4×4 path. We made camp above the Lower South Colony Lake in a grassy patch and settled in for a nights rest before an AM start.

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Mosquito Range: Four 14ers

Summit Sunrise

Four 14ers in one morning was a impromptu to decision.  At first I was just planning on crashing in the blazer alongside the road and continue up to vail for the Teva Mtn Games in the morning. But during the drive through the high plains of Hartsel, I knew there was easy 14er hike I could do while leaving plenty of time Mtn games.  So I made my way to the Kite Lake trailhead.

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