Saguache County topographic maps

Average elevation: 8,031 ft

Average elevation: 10,545 ft

Average elevation: 9,974 ft

Average elevation: 12,674 ft

Generally climbs of Crestone Peak or Crestone Needle start from a base camp at South Colony Lakes, east of the peak, accessed from the Wet Mountain Valley on the northeast side of the range. This route involves nearly 6,000 ft (1,800 m) of elevation gain, and ascends to a large relatively flat area called "The…

Average elevation: 12,713 ft

Average elevation: 7,989 ft

In 1848, John C. Frémont was hired to find a railroad route from St. Louis to California. He crossed the Sangre de Cristos into the San Luis Valley in winter, courting disaster but proving that a winter crossing of this range was possible. He was followed in 1853 by Captain John Gunnison of the Corps of…

Average elevation: 9,160 ft

Average elevation: 7,822 ft

Average elevation: 9,577 ft

Average elevation: 12,405 ft

Average elevation: 8,780 ft

In 1848, John C. Frémont was hired to find a railroad route from St. Louis to California. He crossed the Sangre de Cristos into the San Luis Valley in winter, courting disaster but proving that a winter crossing of this range was possible. He was followed in 1853 by Captain John Gunnison of the Corps of…

Average elevation: 8,583 ft

Average elevation: 8,018 ft