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- CFI Seasonal Job Announcements Posted
– February 7, 2012
CFI is looking for 12 enthusiastic, hard-working seasonal staff leaders/members to complete our most ambitious project season in years. If you think you have what … Read More
- Endowment Gift to Support Adopt-a-Peak Internship Renamed in Memory of Fourteener Enthusiast Kimberly Appelson
– February 3, 2012
A $50,000 gift from Larry and Barbara Appelson of Naperville, Ill. will seed an endowment designed to support Colorado Fourteeners Initiative’s summer internship for aspiring … Read More
- Ben Hanus joins CFI’s staff as Sustainable Trails Project Coordinator
– January 14, 2012
We are excited to announce that Ben Hanus, an employee on CFI projects the past three seasons, has joined the core staff as the coordinator … Read More
- 2011 Year-end Summary, 2012 Season Preview
– December 19, 2011
Take a quick look back at this past summer’s record accomplishments. Or, take a sneak peak at next year’s planned projects. Both can be found … Read More
Humboldt Peak
- Elevation:14,064 feet (37th highest)
- Maps:None
- Contact:None
Recommended Route
South Colony Lake Route—use of this route will help to reduce impacts to this Fourteener’s fragile alpine environment. Click on the following link for detailed route information including pictures, maps, and elevation profiles.
Route Information and Additional Resources
South Colony Lake Road leaves CO Hwy 69 approximately 4 miles south of Westcliffe, CO. Follow South Colony Lake Road to the lower parking area on the open flats at the base of the mountain. Park passenger vehicles at the lower parking area. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required to travel the road beyond that point. It is 6 miles from the lower parking area to the trailhead at the end of the 4X4 road. The road is extremely rough and requires a full hour to drive.
From the trailhead go west, still following the old road, for approximately 1.2 miles to South Colony Lake. Ford the stream below Lower Colony Lake and follow the trail northwesterly toward the saddle on the west flank of Humboldt Peak. From the saddle follow cairns easterly along the ridgeline, over a false summit, until the true summit is reached.
The above information does not replace the need to consult additional maps and Colorado Fourteener Guidebooks for more detailed route descriptions. We suggest checking multiple resources before departing on any hike. Keep in mind that not all guidebooks list this recommended route and that each guidebook’s description or route name may vary slightly.
Peak Specific Environmental and Safety Concerns
Do not leave vehicles or camp on the 1.2 miles of private property between the lower parking area and the National Forest boundary.
An extreme amount of effort has gone into rebuilding the route to Humboldt saddle, and restoring alpine slopes damaged by the many climbers on this popular peak. Please stay on the route and stay off restoration areas.
Please camp near the trailhead at the end of the 4×4 road, or at one of the already impacted sites below S. Colony Lakes. Remember, there is no camping within 300 feet of lakes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.