South Colony Spur

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

To access South Colony Spur, you need to run from the Humboldt Peak Trailhead. After making it up the first section of trail on South Colony Road 120 for 2.5 miles, you'll come to a junction in the trail. The left trail can take you to the Crestone Needle Standard Route via Broken Hand Pass. Though, the right singletrack South Colony Spur is the trail you want to take to get to Upper South Colony Lake where the Humboldt Peak Trail continues 1.1 miles away.

After leaving the junction, you'll run through a treeless rock field giving you your first views of the South Colony Lakes Basin. Cut diagonally across this field, following the obvious route. After reentering the forest, you'll begin to notice several backcountry campsites. These make for a good place if staying overnight. You'll eventually get to Lower South Colony Lake. Along the trail there are several small trails to get down to the lake if you need to refill and/or take a break.

With the majestic Crestone Needle straight ahead and Broken Hand Pass to your left (east), you'll continue on to the upper and eastern side of Upper South Colony Lake where the Humboldt Peak trail heads uphill. This junction is also a good place to take a break before your summit ascent and filter and refill your water if you are low. If you are satisfied with making it to South Colony Lakes, your outing is done and you can backtrack the trail. Though, if you want more adventure, begin your ascent up Humboldt Peak.

Alpine wildflowers boast from every vista, while marmots guard the summit ridge.