We hoped to get a room in Crestone Wednesday night to get an early start on Thursday but the closest we could come was Salida. Still, an hour away wasn't bad and we got started at 7am.

I remembered that the route description mentioned that there were "many many switchbacks". I counted 12 and thought that wasn't too bad until I realized we hadn't even gotten to the area where there were "many many switchbacks". It was over 3 times that in that section. Fun!

I guess ultimately switchbacks are our friend when carrying a backpack.

It was nice and cool and no other hikers at the time. When we got up to Willow lake about 3 hours later, there were a few sites taken but still a few to choose from. The bighorn sheep were quick to greet us in hopes of fresh urine. Several lambs around. Very cute. A lot of deer as well.

We spent the rest of the day checking out the stream and lake. Gorgeous lake, flowers and waterfall magical. Bigger than I expected. Not sure where all the fish were in the lake this time. Really deep maybe. Nothing was cruising around the edges like we usually see. We did manage to catch a couple. Quite the pigs.

Decided to sleep in a little this time, 330...so we got on the trail at 430. Didn't seem like too many were out and about yet. When we were nearing the top of the waterfall there was someone coming up the steep gully from the lake and a group of 3 starting up the harder stuff. The gentleman from the lake told us he did get off trail and had to find his way up to the real trail. I think the old route did use to go by the lake but they have since re-routed it. Anything near the lake is full of animal trails and side trails as well as a lot of willows so you shouldn't be anywhere near the lake when starting. I took a couple pictures of this trail turnoff when we came back down to add to the report and hopefully help someone.

Cross the stream above the waterfall and that is your last chance for water. The old route used to go a little towards the left but there is a very well built trail most the way up to just about below the level of the snow gully. As you work your way over toward it, it gets much gnarlier. There is a lot of loose terrain in this area. As we were coming down, we might have been a little too close to the gully and people coming up to way too far from the gully. Just take your time and pick your route. There really aren't many cairns in this last 500 to 800 foot area. It is steep and loose and we felt microspikes helped a lot. Gorgeous sunrise.

I will add the ascent and descent pictures together to show the terrain up to and near the snow gully.

Two hours to this point and it is pretty easy and fun from here. The Sangre Fog joined us again. I think we have hiked with the fog just about every time we have come to the Sangre 14ers.

We couldn't see much of Kit Carson but we could see the Avenue.

Photo 23 in the route description shows an alternate route to exit the avenue. We saw that and really liked the looks of it. Who doesn't like to climb on the Sangre conglomerate rock. It is so stable and fun to climb on. Crestone Needle is probably my favorite to climb and this area reminded me of that. When we got to the top we looked over to the other route and it sure looks like there is more loose stuff there then on our side. We would definitely recommend this alternate without a doubt.

Not long after you are there. Very fun. Took us about an hour to summit Kit Carson from Challenger.

Finally got that photo of Kit when we were back on Challenger

Fun trip back until the start of that gully again. Pretty crappy section and takes longer then you want to finally get back to the trail junction.

Back to the campsite around 1230 so about 7 hours for the hike. We broke down camp after lunch and watching the wildlife for a little longer.

Hiked out just before the rain was due to come in. Pretty good cell service on those switchbacks so looked up the weather and apparently flash flood warnings for that night and the next day were forecasted. Hope the numerous backpackers heading up didn't have too much trouble with that.

Those Tshirts I used on my sleep pad sure were nice to wear on the way back down to help us stay nice and cool.

Back to the car for some wine at 345. Perfect timing to get some great dinner in Salida. Surprising how many nice restaurants there actually are there. The rain poured on us as we drove there. We were truly blessed with great weather for our trip.