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Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:23 pm
by HikerGuy
Looking for opinions...which is the easier walkout (given assumptions below), Willow Creek or Lake Como?

- start at Willow Creek 4wd TH at 8,850 elevation
- or start at 8,800 feet on Como Road (could probably push that another 1,000 feet to Jaws 0.5?, but sounds like it's not worth it)
- backpack to and camp in vicinity of either Willow Lake or Lake Como night before
- climb either Challenger & Kit Carson or Blanca & Ellingwood via standard routes and walk out same day
- ideal weather, sunny and clear (ie. sometime this week)

Thanks!
Troy

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:28 pm
by wildlobo71
Willow Creek, by a factor of 10.

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:35 pm
by gdthomas
Willow Creek. The WC trail is much easier on your feet/legs than the Como Lake road.

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:38 pm
by HikerGuy
That was my suspicion, but keep those opinions coming and/or I might never visit the Como Road :lol:

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:54 pm
by summitwolf
WC for sure !

Another option...

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:56 pm
by Jay521
You can also do Ellingwood and Blanca from the Zapata Falls TH and avoid the Lake Como road. I did this a couple months ago and it does make for a long day but is definitely doable. Geojed wrote up a nice trip report here:

http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.ph ... ki=Include" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

although there is one error - the Zapata Falls CG charges $7 a night. He is also a faster hiker/climber than I am as it took me almost 16 hours to do the route. But then I have a few years on him...

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:57 pm
by altidude
I will say that Como Road is definitely worse, but the Switchback Lake, er, Willow Lake approach is a grunt.

Re: Another option...

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:02 pm
by HikerGuy
Jay521 wrote:You can also do Ellingwood and Blanca from the Zapata Falls TH and avoid the Lake Como road. I did this a couple months ago and it does make for a long day but is definitely doable. Geojed wrote up a nice trip report here:

http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.ph ... ki=Include" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for the trip report link, I will check it out. I am familiar with that trail/trailhead having done California Peak a few years ago.

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:26 pm
by reinselc
Willow lake is about 1000x prettier too.

Re: Easier walkout, Willow Creek or Lake Como?

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:51 pm
by MtHurd
Willow Lake. Como Lake Rd. blows.