Broken Hand Pass approach

[oldschool]

In reviewing the approach, using Broken Hand Pass, to climb Crestone Peak / Needle there is a junction or "spur" trail referred to about 2.5 miles in from the gate closure.

In looking at a map it seems if you stay left at this junction it is longer and eventually comes awful close to the trail if you had taken a right at the junction.

The reason to go left and hike further is....? It seems to go right then cross by the lake/ponds is a better bet.

Advice?

[pmeadco]

I've done it both ways. As you observed, the left fork is a lot longer (and it is a gentler climb). If you go to the right (toward Humboldt) then you have to watch carefully for the fork that goes down, crosses the creek, and puts you on the trail toward BHP. As I recall, the intersection is not marked and not totally obvious. If you are camping up below the lakes then I would go left -- it is an easier hike and puts you right into the camping spots. If you are day-tripping and want to go the fastest way then go right, just pay attention and watch carefully for the trail that goes down to the left toward BHP.

[bigredmachine]

Yup the spur trail is just below the lower lake. It is not marked and looks no different than the numerous trails leading to camping spots (I believe there was a large rock, but is kind of hidden in a bush). Within 100 yds after you are on the trail you see the creek crossing and know you are in luck. Once you cross the creek you meet up with the main trail again within a few hundred yds.

I don’t think it saves you more than 15-20 minutes, and I wouldn’t try finding it in the dark.

[DeTour]

The left option follows a mining road until it makes the big bend to turn north. It's easy to make real good time on that stretch.

The spur has a lot more up-and-down, and when we did it about 5-6 years ago, we had some treefall to contend with. Then we got misled by one of those camping trails and ended up bushwhacking to get across the creek. My conclusion then was that it didn't save us any time. I could see how it could save a few minutes with better routefinding than ours.

We've gone to SCL four times. Took the spur the third time. The last time, going up the day before to camp, we chose the mining road.

[BillMiddlebrook]

I know this one!!

First off, the left, longer option used to be the standard way to go because the 4WD trailhead was at the gate on the other side of the stream. A few years back, the direct trail was improved dramatically and now offers a great way to hike directly to the north side of the lakes and Humboldt.

There are a couple of reasons why the left, longer trail is a good option:
1) It is very easy to follow and takes you directly to the Crestone Needle trail junction, without any confusion or re-gain.
2) In spring or early summer, when the direct trail is muddy.
3) Even though it's a bit longer, I feel that it takes about the same amount of time because, as DeTour mentioned, you can go faster on the mining road (first 1/2 of the longer option).

Whenever I climb one of the Crestones, I use the left option to get to the Needle trail. Whenever I camp at the lakes or day-hike Humboldt, I use the direct, shorter trail.

I hope this helps.

[oldschool]

Thx all....appreciate the input.

[drewharrellrtr]

I was just there June 20-23. I backpacked at the lake and took direct trail to the lake. When we packed out we went back down the long way. There was treefall as mentioned above and having big packs, we had to go around them. It is steeper but overall not too bad. The spur comes fairly soon after the lake becomes visible. If you get past where the lake ends and the outlet stream begins you’ve gone too far. The stream should be down to your left. In my opinion, I wouldn’t take the longer route as the direct route isn’t too steep to slow you down a whole lot.