Blanca Peak

Blanca Peak is the 4th highest mountain in Colorado and the highest outside the Sawatch Range. Its is a beautiful peak that overlooks the Sangre De Cristo Range and San Luis Valley.

The trail officially begins at Lake Como (more on the approach to Lake Como below) and from there is a steep and difficult class 2 route. From lake Como follow the road until it reaches Blue Lakes. From there, the road ends and the trail begins. The trail then alternates between switchbacks up rocky headwalls/talus and small lake basins until you reach a saddle between Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point (another 14er).

To summit Blanca, turn right and continue up the Northwest Ridge. As you ascend the ridge, make sure to stay to the right as the left side can be more difficult and cliffing out/getting into trouble is very real. There can be traces of a trail/path as you near the summit but this is where route-finding and experience can be important in keeping it to just class 2+. This stretch isn’t real long and the views from the top  are beautiful.

Class: 2+. The route from Lake Como is on a good trail, even with some of the talus areas until you near the saddle with Ellingwood Point. From the saddle and along the Northwest Ridge the route can be kept at class 2+ but if you get off route, the difficulty can increase quickly.

Trailhead/Parking: As noted above, this route begins and Lake Como. However, unless you have a seriously modified off-road vehicle, do not plan on beginning your hike at Lake Como. Beginning at the start of the lake Como road, most vehicles can make it ~1.5 miles to an area at about 8,000 feet in elevation. Some high-clearance 4x4’s, can make it to ~3.25 miles from the start at 8,800 feet in elevation.

The stats for the hike are:

Parking at 8,000 feet : ~17 miles rt, 6,500 ft elevation gain

Parking at 8,800 feet: 14.25 miles rt, 5,700 ft elevation gain

Parking at Lake Como: 6 miles rt, 2,700 ft elevation gain