Crestone Needle
Westcliffe, CO
Crestone Needle
A challenging scramble up one of Colorado’s hardest 14,000-foot peaks. This is not just a hike. It is a sustained, steep scramble (hand and foot climb) up a popular route with loose rock, running water, and possibly snow and ice. Wearing a helmet is recommended, and the use of an ice ax may be required in spring and fall. It is the only nontechnical way to climb one of Colorado’s hardest 14,000-foot mountains, but it does require some route-finding skills and is surrounded by technical terrain. Only those who are comfortable on steep rock should attempt it.
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Directions to: Crestone Needle
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Westcliffe |
| Length | 6.4 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 3,000 ft |
| Skill Level | Strenuous |
| Duration | Out-and-back day hike or overnight backpack |
| Season | Best July to September |
| Trailhead Elevation | 11,100 ft |
| Top Elevation | 14,197 ft |
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