Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Most of the trip reports I read for BlancaI start at Lake Como, so I thought this may be useful for those trying to hikie it from base in one day. I started at 8,500-8,600, at 6:25am, and hiked five miles to Lake Como in about three hours. It took nearly the same time to hike from Lake Como to Blanca summit. An approximate split is ~10am at Blue Lakes, ~12pm top of the ridge, 12:45pm summit. Started down sometime after 1pm from summit, and was back at Lake Como at ~4:45pm. Overall it took nearly as long to go down from summit to Lake Como, in part because of a couple of breaks by Crater lake and Blue lakes, but also I was more exhausted and did not want to make a wrong move. I think there were fewer than five people on the trail between Lake Como and Blanca.
I didn't see any vehicles parked at 10,000' right before Jaws 1, just one vehicle parked right before Jaws 2 on my way up, and none at Lake Como. So if you dare to drive up, there was plenty of space. However, although I was driving a Wrangler I found the driving up Lake Como road extremely uncomfortable. So even though the vehicle could have made it further up the road, I chose to park it in a pull off at ~8,600. Also, hiking this very rocky road is rather taxing, particularly during the descent. Personally, I feel this should have remained a dirt hiking trail rather than a very bad road.
A few take home points:
the most difficult section is the summit ridge. It is well cairned, and I found it useful to identify the next cairn, before proceeding from the previous one. I didn't find it to be much of a pick your own adventure.
there is loose rock on the summit ridge, so it helps to check your hold and avoid sending rocks down. Wear a helmet for protection.
the exposure seemed more obvious on the way down than up
although I'm not much of an expert, my sense is that the classification of this trail as class 2 is generous.
the view are superb, and well worth the hike.
Summit view from left to right: Little Bear Peak, Twin Peaks, Ellingwood Point, a glimpse of Great Sand Dunes, and California Peak.
Lake Como with Little Bear Peak in the background
Crater Lake
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
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.
