This classic line makes a superb ski descent or snow climb. The route is as clean and clear as can be.
Spring snow season (see other routes for summer climbs): Park at the Willow Lake Trailhead. Take the trail to Willow Lake as it follow a north-facing hill side for about ¾ mile (still small snowdrifts here in early April), then stays on the south side of the Willow Creek drainage for several miles to 11,000', where it crosses to the south side of the valley in the midst of a headwall studded with cliffs and ledges. The trail in this area is improperly marked on the USGS Crestone and Crestone Peak topographic maps (it stays on the north side for slightly longer until crossing the valley. In the summer, this is no problem since the trail is an obvious horse path. but with snow cover, it's important to remember the route traverses the transition between the lower, more jumbled cliffs, and the upper unbroken vertical ramparts. Early season hikers and skiers should beware of ice falling from the upper cliffs.
Once past the first headwall, stay in the drainage to Lower Willow Lake. With good snow cover, follow the south shore of the lake, then climb S up and around another headwall, where you finally cross timberline. You can also get around the lake on its north side, and this option might be better with consolidated spring snow cover (and is the summer route). Once you're on the shelf above Lower Willow Lake (12,000'), climb the obvious snow bowl up and S between Challenger Peak and Kit Carson Mountain. At 13,000', the bowl steepens and narrows into a nice couloir (maximum angle 48 degrees), which leads directly to the Kit Carson/Challenger saddle (13,790'). From the saddle, follow the ridge W for 300 vertical feet to the summit of Challenger. For your descent reverse the route. Skiers may find little snow on the summit ridge—but the couloir is always well stocked. You'll usually find the best ski snow in late April, before the snow is channeled from spring melt-off.
Safety notes: Remember, spring comes early to the Sangre De Cristo. This north and northwesterly route gets a late morning sunhit.
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