South Colony Road climbs to the high peaks south of Westcliffe

If you are drawn to Custer County by the tall peaks on the skyline, this is the road most people take to reach them. From Highway 69 south of Westcliffe, you turn onto County Road 119, also called Colfax Lane, and follow it to South Colony Road, which heads up toward the range.

The road does not stay easy. There is a lower parking area that a regular car can reach. Past that point, the road keeps climbing for a couple more miles, but it turns rough and rocky and is meant for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Many people park lower and walk the extra distance rather than risk a low car on the rocks.

This basin sits inside the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, and it is the standard approach to several peaks over 14,000 feet, including Humboldt Peak and the rugged Crestones. That means a long, high day on foot, with no water, restrooms, or services at the trailhead, and fast-changing weather once you are up high.

Plan for an early start, a full tank, and a vehicle that matches the road. Conditions, closures, and the exact road status change, so before you go, check the current details with the U.S. Forest Service for the South Colony Basin.