Humboldt Peak

The standard route via the South Colony Lakes Trailhead is a highly scenic Class 2 hike covering roughly 11 miles round-trip. While it does not require technical rock climbing or intense hands-on scrambling, it is physically demanding. The lower portion follows a smooth, decommissioned 4WD road before turning onto a well-defined singletrack. The final 1.5 miles transition into a rugged alpine grind across a broad, boulder-strewn ridge where careful foot placement on large, shifting granite blocks is necessary to maintain balance.

Camping in the spectacular South Colony Lakes basin is highly popular but strictly managed to protect the fragile alpine ecosystem. You are legally required to pitch your tent only in designated, numbered campsites scattered throughout the trees below the lakes. Dispersed camping on the open tundra or right along the lakeshore is strictly prohibited. To prevent attracting black bears, all food, trash, and scented items must be stored in an approved bear-resistant container or hung securely, and campfires are banned above 11,200 feet to preserve the limited wood resources.

No. While Humboldt sits in the exact same basin as the Crestones, combining them into a single outing is an incredibly grueling, high-consequence task that is rarely done by average hikers. Humboldt is a straightforward Class 2 hike, whereas Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak are technical Class 3 and Class 4 climbs with far more risk.

You must never urinate or deposit solid human waste within 200 feet of Lower South Colony Lake or any connecting streams. For solid waste, dig a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep in organic soil well away from the water, or use a pack-out WAG bag. When washing dishes or yourself, do not use soap directly in the lake—even biodegradable soaps can contaminate alpine water and harm trout. Carry water 200 feet away from the shore to wash, and scatter the wash water across a wide area of soil.