Blanca Peak Trip Report 02/16/2016

Peak(s):	Blanca Peak - 14,350 feet
Date Posted:	02/16/2016
Modified:	03/28/2016
Date Climbed:	08/14/2015
Author:	luccala
Additional Members:	Chase_Rowdy

1st 14er! - Northwest Ridge - A Case for Bear Safety
Be bear aware (picture of the killed bear further down exemplifies the conditioning of the bear by humans throughout the summer) The mountain probably had around 100 hikers/backpackers/climbers the weekend that we went so it's great for solos during the summer. My first 14er started out with a lot of research about Blanca and how to get there. I drive a Ford Escape w/ 4WD and I knew it could only go so far. With a Jeep or other greater clearance vehicle you can definitely get higher, but I called it a day at exactly 8800'. The clearance with the Escape wasn't fantastic, but if you take it slow you shouldn't have any problems. Large rocks make up the road with many of them requiring maneuvering around, but mostly over them. 4WD is necessary for a lower powered V6 with about 155 horses and at times steeper terrain w/obstacles. We parked the car with the sun nearly setting, enjoyed our beers, and set up our overnight camp. We left the next morning and started our grueling hike towards Lake Como. The most difficult part of the road was within the first couple miles. The road wound its way up the hot arid terrain. The road before the crossing of the creek sucks, but once you fill up with water and cross the creek the hike becomes much more pleasant. The pleasant part of the road looks like the above photo. Always be aware of your surroundings. The photo below was another warning about the Lake Como Bear. If you didn't read the posts online about the bear causing havoc in the Lake Como area, then hopefully people saw this while they passed through. Signs like these shouldn't be taken lightly. While I never want to harm a bear you should be prepared with bear mace or more when you are going into bear territory. Traveling with 2 others and making a lot of noise is also reassuring. The Image after this is the poor bear that was killed perhaps the previous day before we found it. The bear had been shot no more than 15 yards away from where it had destroyed a few hanging bags about 8 feet in the air. There was trash all around the shredded bags. The bear had probably started to run away when the people encountered it and it was shot and fell dead into a little stream that fed into Lake Como. The sight of the bear was pretty shocking. It should remind all outdoorspeople to responsibly handle their belongings and keep them out of the paws of wildlife so that these incidents occur less frequently. Anyways, after seeing the bear we felt a little safer knowing that it wouldn't bother us for the rest of the trip. We found a really nice camping spot just at the edge of treeline. It was south of the road and north of the stream. We didn't hear/see anything other than the deer for the rest of the evening at our camp. Below, was our view We explored the valley for the rest of the day and checked the Blue Lakes out just northeast of our camp. After adventuring around the beautiful place and meeting some interesting people near the lake, we set up the tent, enjoyed our mountain house meals, and drank some whiskey before heading to bed. We woke up around 6:30 the next morning and prepared for our summit on Blanca, but probably didn't leave until around 7:30 due to our sluggishness. The sunlight hadn't touched the valley floor even after we found our way to the overview of the Blue Lakes and it was chilly: We past Crater Lake and started ascending the Northwest face towards the ridge. We took our time hiking to the top and enjoyed the views. Here's Chase climbing the ridge w/Ellingwood in the Background. We met up with a few people who made the traverse from Little Bear and they took our summit photo. I think we reached the summit before 10:30. It was a pretty easy class 2 with the only level 2-3 exposure coming from routes that didn't follow the cairns. Aaaand a view near the top of Blanca looking to the northeast. The views are great! You can see Little Bear, Lindsey, and Ellingwood when ascending the ridge and on the summit. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

1st 14er! - Northwest Ridge - A Case for Bear Safety

*Be bear aware (picture of the killed bear further down exemplifies the conditioning of the bear by humans throughout the summer)
*The mountain probably had around 100 hikers/backpackers/climbers the weekend that we went so it's great for solos during the summer.

My first 14er started out with a lot of research about Blanca and how to get there. I drive a Ford Escape w/ 4WD and I knew it could only go so far. With a Jeep or other greater clearance vehicle you can definitely get higher, but I called it a day at exactly 8800'. The clearance with the Escape wasn't fantastic, but if you take it slow you shouldn't have any problems. Large rocks make up the road with many of them requiring maneuvering around, but mostly over them. 4WD is necessary for a lower powered V6 with about 155 horses and at times steeper terrain w/obstacles.

We parked the car with the sun nearly setting, enjoyed our beers, and set up our overnight camp. We left the next morning and started our grueling hike towards Lake Como. The most difficult part of the road was within the first couple miles. The road wound its way up the hot arid terrain. The road before the crossing of the creek sucks, but once you fill up with water and cross the creek the hike becomes much more pleasant.

The pleasant part of the road looks like the above photo. Always be aware of your surroundings. The photo below was another warning about the Lake Como Bear. If you didn't read the posts online about the bear causing havoc in the Lake Como area, then hopefully people saw this while they passed through. Signs like these shouldn't be taken lightly. While I never want to harm a bear you should be prepared with bear mace or more when you are going into bear territory. Traveling with 2 others and making a lot of noise is also reassuring. The Image after this is the poor bear that was killed perhaps the previous day before we found it. The bear had been shot no more than 15 yards away from where it had destroyed a few hanging bags about 8 feet in the air. There was trash all around the shredded bags. The bear had probably started to run away when the people encountered it and it was shot and fell dead into a little stream that fed into Lake Como. The sight of the bear was pretty shocking. It should remind all outdoorspeople to responsibly handle their belongings and keep them out of the paws of wildlife so that these incidents occur less frequently.

Anyways, after seeing the bear we felt a little safer knowing that it wouldn't bother us for the rest of the trip. We found a really nice camping spot just at the edge of treeline. It was south of the road and north of the stream. We didn't hear/see anything other than the deer for the rest of the evening at our camp. Below, was our view

We explored the valley for the rest of the day and checked the Blue Lakes out just northeast of our camp.

After adventuring around the beautiful place and meeting some interesting people near the lake, we set up the tent, enjoyed our mountain house meals, and drank some whiskey before heading to bed.
We woke up around 6:30 the next morning and prepared for our summit on Blanca, but probably didn't leave until around 7:30 due to our sluggishness. The sunlight hadn't touched the valley floor even after we found our way to the overview of the Blue Lakes and it was chilly:

We past Crater Lake and started ascending the Northwest face towards the ridge. We took our time hiking to the top and enjoyed the views.

Here's Chase climbing the ridge w/Ellingwood in the Background.

We met up with a few people who made the traverse from Little Bear and they took our summit photo. I think we reached the summit before 10:30. It was a pretty easy class 2 with the only level 2-3 exposure coming from routes that didn't follow the cairns.

Aaaand a view near the top of Blanca looking to the northeast. The views are great! You can see Little Bear, Lindsey, and Ellingwood when ascending the ridge and on the summit.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

jasayrevt	Congrats! 3/28/2016 2:02pm Sweet, great summit of Blanca Peak. Thanks for posting the trip report on the journey. Excellent read. Doesn't get any better than that Lake Como Road hike. Fantastic pics as well, slick shot from the top. Nicely done, and way to get that 1st 14er summit. Stick with the hobby / recreation, as it takes you to some incredible and breathtaking outdoor meccas. Keep going for those mountain tops
luccala	. 3/29/2016 5:38pm Thanks, jasayrevt! I already have a long list of trips planned for my summer

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App