Blanca Peak - Lake Como Approach Route Description

Lake Como Approach

Difficulty Class 1

Risk FactorsExposure: Low
Rockfall Potential: Low
Route-Finding: Low
Commitment: Low

TrailheadLake Como (Blanca Pk)

Start8,000 feet

Stop11,750 feet

Total Gain3,900 feet

RT Length11.25 miles if you start near 8,000'
8.5 miles if you start near 8,800'

WeatherNOAA Forecast

AuthorBillMiddlebrook

Last UpdatedMay 2025

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Trailhead

From Colorado 160, east of Alamosa, turn north onto Colorado 150 toward Great Sand Dunes National Park. Drive over 3 miles and turn right onto Lake Como road (aka Blanca Peak road). The type of vehicle you are driving will determine how high you can park. Most cars can drive about 1.5 miles up before it gets rough. 4WD SUVs and trucks can slowly make it 3.25 miles to several pull-offs at 8,800', before the road turns nasty. This is a popular parking spot and almost gets you to within 4 miles of Lake Como. If you have a high-clearance, small, 4WD vehicle you might be able to drive to 10,000' but you'll find very few places to park. An ATV, UTV or modified jeep/crawler can get to Lake Como, depending on the driver.

Route Description

From the start of the Lake Como/Blanca Peak road ( 1), it's approximately 7.5 miles to Lake Como. 4WD SUVs and trucks can slowly make it 3.25 miles to 8,800' - 2. Driving higher requires high-clearance 4WD and good off-road skills. It gets much more difficult above 10,000' - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Park and start walking up this awful road. Near 10,700', the road crosses Holbrook Creek and zig zags through rocky terrain on the north side of the drainage ( 8). Near 11,750' you'll finally arrive at Lake Como ( 10). Most hikers set up camp either south of the lake or farther east along the continuing road.

Notes

A modified, short-wheelbase 4WD vehicle is required to drive all the way to Lake Como. A stock 4WD will not make it and will be damaged. Believe the hype, this is a nasty road.

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