Challenger Point tops out at 14,086 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, part of the Kit Carson massif above Crestone. It's a backcountry objective — no drive-up trailhead shortcuts, no crowds like the Front Range 14ers. The approach alone is a full day: over four miles and roughly 2,800 feet of gain to reach camp at Willow Lake before the mountain even starts.
The standard North Slope route is rated Difficult Class 2 — mostly a strenuous hike, but with a genuine crux: 600 feet of steep, loose, talus-covered terrain that demands real route-finding. Exposure, rockfall, and route-finding are all rated Considerable by 14ers.com. This is a step up from a straightforward trail hike, and the group should be squared away on pace, footing, and communication before committing to the crux.
From Willow Lake, the trail climbs past a waterfall and boulder field to the flats above the lake, then follows cairns and intermittent trail through zigzagging ledges and another boulder field near 12,300'. Above that, the path becomes progressively less distinct, following the left side of a prominent rock rib as the grade steepens toward 13,200'.
At the top of the rib, the route traverses left into the crux: roughly 600 feet of steep, loose, talus-covered ground. Cairns mark the way, but this section takes patience — the goal is to keep it under Class 3 by finding the cleanest line through the rock. Stay to the right of the snow-filled gully here; it can hold snow well into August in a normal year. Above the talus, a notch in the ridge leads to the summit ridgeline, which runs southeast to the top. Some sections of ridge narrow — staying slightly left of the crest keeps exposure more comfortable if needed.
Strong, weather-clear parties sometimes extend from Challenger's summit to Kit Carson Peak. It's a real step up in difficulty and time, not a quick bonus lap — see the detailed optional extension in Saturday's plan below for the route, added stats, and decision point.
From Challenger's summit, Kit Carson is right there across the way — and reachable, but it's a genuine step up from the day above, not a quick bonus lap. 14ers.com rates the connector Easy Class 3, with exposure, rockfall, route-finding, and commitment all at Considerable (Challenger alone rates Commitment as only Moderate).
The route: From Challenger, descend east to the 13,800' saddle and pick up Kit Carson Avenue — an exposed Class 2 ledge running south along the peak to a 13,960' saddle near a rock fin called The Prow. The Avenue continues, descending east through a wide notch. Near 13,650', watch for the entry to a broad gully on the left, just before a rock rib. Ascend the gully — roughly 450 feet on Difficult Class 2 terrain, with brief easy Class 3 moves higher up — to the summit ridge and Kit Carson's summit.
The return is the catch: there's no shortcut down. The group retraces the Avenue and gully, then re-climbs back up near Challenger's summit before descending Challenger's standard route to camp. That's where most of the added 850 feet actually comes from — it's down-and-back-up terrain the whole way, not a clean one-way gain, and it moves slowly.
Decision point — Challenger's summit: if the group is standing there comfortably by mid-morning, feeling strong, with clear skies, Kit Carson is realistically in reach. If it's already late morning, weather is building, or anyone's cooked from the crux, Challenger is a complete, solid day on its own — Kit Carson can wait for a return trip. The Avenue and gully aren't the place to be racing a storm or towing a tired group.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel share (carpool, ~390 mi round trip) | $25–35 |
| Food (2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, trail snacks) | $25–35 |
| Camping / wilderness access | $0 (no fee) |
| Optional gear rental (poles, canister, etc.) | $0–20 |
| Estimated Total | $50–90 |