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If you want to climb all of the 14,000 peaks of Colorado, eventually you are going to have to come to terms with the Lake Como Road, which provides access to Blanca Peak, Little Bear Peak, and Ellingwood Point. Due to the snow conditions, I didn't gain the summit of any of these peaks on this trip - nor did I plan to - the purpose of my hike was conditioning and sightseeing. But I found my hike up the Lake Como Road to be quite interesting.
The road begins at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the San Luis Valley east of Alamosa near the Great Sand Dunes, and climbs to Lake Como at 11,750. Some consider this road to be the roughest 4WD road in Colorado. The steep road consists of loose rock and occasional rock ledges several vertical feet high, which the 4WD community calls "Jaws 1", "Jaws 2", etc. Here's the first "Jaws" at 9,800 feet:
Yes, that's a road straight ahead.
The first "Jaws" is mere child's play compared to what lies ahead:
Another "Jaws" at 10,400 feet.
At 10,500 feet there are several abandoned cabins - "The Lake Como Hotel" - with dirt floors smooth enough to sleep on if you're not concerned about the rest of the cabin falling down on you: Cabins at 10,500.
At 10,700 there is an easy water crossing. Just step on the rocks on the right: Water crossing at 10,700.
The arid San Luis Valley is a completely different ecosystem from the Sierra Blanca Massif: San Luis Valley from 11,000.
Eventually, Little Bear Peak comes into view: That's the road to the left.
The view of Lake Como - still partially iced over in Late May - was mesmerizing: Lake Como, with Little Bear in the background.
Even if you don't gain a summit, the hike up the Lake Como Road is definitely worth the trip.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I've done all the Blanca Massif peaks and never set one foot on that dang road. Blanca was from Huerfano side past the Gash Ridge to the Winchell Lakes. Now there's some scenery!
I guess for some their method of coming to terms with the Lake Como Road is to avoid it by creating their own route. You guys are amazing!
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