South Colony Lakes Trailhead

Location

RangeSangre de Cristo

Elevation9,950'

Lat/Lon37.97611, -105.50651

14ersHumboldt Peak, Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak

Road Difficulty

4 Moderate 4WD, good clearance

Easy 2WD dirt to the lowest trailhead. 4WD (high-clearance required) dirt to the upper trailhead.

Driving Directions

Take Colorado 69 south from Westcliffe. Drive 4.5 miles and turn right on Colfax Lane. Drive 5.5 miles to the end of Colfax. Turn right and drive 1 mile on a dirt road to a junction. Continue straight up the 120 Road for 0.3 mile to the Lower 2WD Trailhead at 8,800'. To reach the Upper 4WD Trailhead, continue 2.7 miles to parking/camp spots before a river crossing, near 9,950'. Note that in 2009, the South Colony Lakes road was permanently closed at this point (with a gate), and the official trailhead was established here. The trail begins next to the trailhead kiosk located in the main parking area.

On-Site Info

Parking~20 vehicles at the lower, 2WD trailhead. No parking along the first 1+ miles of the 4WD road due to private property. Some pull-offs before the upper trailhead. Upper, 4WD trailhead has room for ~25 vehicles.

CampingNo camping at the 2WD trailhead. Not much camping along the 4WD road but there are a few spots. Some established camp sites near the 4WD trailhead.

Restrooms?No

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Usually closed near the lower TH at the bottom of the road.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


7/7/2022 Posted On: 7/7/2022 By: tdurty Info: The road is definitely easier than in past years. 3 Subarus and a CRV at the 4WD TH. Some careful line choices necessary in spots, but easier than I remember it even last fall.
7/2/2022 Posted On: 7/2/2022 By: sibetribe Info: Drove in 7/1, left 7/2. Road looks like it has been repaired as there is no longer a drain sticking out on a gnarly part of the road. It was very doable in a 4Runner. I have tried once in a Mitsubishi Outlander and failed and would not use a similar car as you will most likely bottom out if you dont have clearance. Saw some Subarus though. Trailhead was busy Friday and PACKED Saturday. Had to carefully maneuver out of the parking lot when leaving due to cars everywhere.			1
6/11/2022 Posted On: 6/13/2022 By: swesleyc7 Info: Confirmed: the 4WD road up to the South Colony Lakes trailhead parking lot is completely clear of snow and trees. Normal, summer conditions.			1
5/7/2022 Posted On: 5/8/2022 By: Crestoner Info: 4WD trailhead now accessible...any vehicle that can make it in the summer can make it now.
4/24/2022 Posted On: 4/26/2022 By: JasonCrane Info: South Colony Lakes Road is dry until approx. 1.5 miles. Then, about 2+ feet of snow remain & will likely pose a challenge for any vehicles striving the reach the 4WD TH. It appears a couple of vehicles attempted to push higher up the road, as evidenced by very deep snow ruts. Any semblance of tracks disappeared several hundred yards below the Rainbow Trail junction. Use your best judgement.		2
2/21/2022 Posted On: 2/21/2022 By: sdkeil Info: Road plowed to the intersection of South Colony Rd. and CR 121, about 0.4 miles below the 2wd parking lot. Deep snow beyond the plow berm. Plenty of space to park along side the road.
1/26/2022 Posted On: 1/31/2022 By: JasonCrane Info: We had two AWD SUVs & it was a little tricky with the fresh snow & deep ruts just getting to the lower TH from near the 119 turn-off. Above the lower TH, S Colony Road/120 has feet of snow that only a snowmobile could make headway. We only hiked to the Rainbow Trail junction for an unsuccessful East Ridge bid on Humboldt.
1/16/2022 Posted On: 1/17/2022 By: supranihilest Info: Just park at the lower trailhead. You can drive perhaps a mile past the lower, 2WD trailhead before snow blocks passage but there's nowhere to park along that stretch.
12/28/2021 Posted On: 12/28/2021 By: the_hare Info: Road to lower 2WD trailhead clear of snow, just a grated dirt road. The 4WD road looks fairly clear of deep snow but becomes impassable at about .8 mi in after it takes a sharp south turn. Snowshoes are necessary after that point.
11/21/2021 Posted On: 11/21/2021 By: DorothyK Info: Road got a frosting of snow last night, expect it will melt out just fine. Still easily driveable in a decent 4wd vehicle. For the trail itself, microspikes were definitely needed; poles were helpful.
10/13/2021 Posted On: 10/14/2021 By: drchele Info: Stock Wrangler in 4LO made it to upper 4WD Trailhead just before the first river crossing near 9,950' (road beyond is gated here). Minimal frost and snow this morning after the area received ~4" on 10/12. Snow really doesn't start till 10,500' hiking up the closed section of road. Road difficulty was not as bad as the upper 4WD Yankee Boy Basin which is ranked 3/6 (and probably should be a 4/6). I'd say 4/6 feels about right, except a few things that make it easier than the typical 4/6: (1) the overall length of the drive is pretty short (2) there are several pullouts to allow passing (3) some sections are wide enough for two vehicles to pass. (4) there is no 'life-or-death' drop-off to one side. There is an easy flat spot at the cattle guard where you can stop and put it in 4WD. There is also parking here if you want to rendezvous with your hiking bud. I'd say all-in-all, it was a fun little off-road adventure that flanked my Humboldt summit that allowed me to practice my lines without getting too spicy.
10/2/2021 Posted On: 10/4/2021 By: jess10611 Info: Made it to upper TH in stock Subaru Crosstrek. Definitely recommend car with AWD/4WD. The road is pretty rough and there are a few spots, as mentioned below, that are quite deep. Coming down felt more difficult than going up due to lack of visibility where the drop offs are.
9/29/2021 Posted On: 9/30/2021 By: JasonCrane Info: Hiked the road from the parking area at 8.8k. Road ascents a total of ~1k vert gain from the lower 2WD TH to the upper AWD TH at 9.9k feet. High clearance vehicles are a must as there are a few deep craters & protruding rocks. A handful of really rough patches on upward sloping ramps with holes large enough to swallow a tire. Some sections are surprising smooth dirt w/out any rocks. Saw a number of vehicles parked at or near the upper TH, all SUVs & pick-up trucks. The distance from lower TH to upper TH is 2.7 miles each way. Plenty of camping spots available in vicinity of TH.
9/27/2021 Posted On: 9/27/2021 By: two lunches Info: drove up in a stock 2019 4Runner TRD. no obstacles, no difficulties, no clearance issues, no traction problems, no worries. run of the mill rough 4WD road.
9/16/2021 Posted On: 9/17/2021 By: Bccrhp Info: As advertised. 4WD section isnt fun (lots of rocks) and youll have to choose your lines carefully, but a Subaru made it to the 4WD trailhead. SUVs/trucks/Jeeps shouldnt have much of a problem.

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