Blanca Peak - Summit climb via NW slopes, with maps & route description
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- My ascent of Blanca Peak, Colorado's 4th highest mtn., by way of its NW slopes on July 7, 2021. Starting from 8,000' in the San Luis Valley, this route has me gaining a hefty 6,500' in elevation and going about 17 miles round trip. The peak is also the highest mtn. in the Sierra Blanca - the group of mtns. for which it is named - and the highest peak in the entire Sangre de Cristo range. The route takes me first up the long Lake Como road with sweeping views of the immense San Luis Valley, through the forest, past several blue alpine lakes, and finally up to the rocky cloud-enveloped heights. At the beginning I explain a bit about the history of the area, and at the end I explain how from just an endurance perspective, this could be the hardest single mtn. I have yet climbed. As always I have included maps and route descriptions. Enjoy the footage!! Below is a table of contents for this video:
0:00 - intro.
1:22 - Views of the mtn. from various vantage points, & history
3:30 - Getting started on foot
4:10 - Route overview & statistics
5:52 - Initial stretch of the Lake Como road: ~8,000' to ~8,800'
6:39 - 2nd stretch of the road: ~8,800' to ~9,700'
9:56 - 3rd stretch of the road: ~9,700' to ~10,600'
14:05 - 4th stretch of the road: ~10,600' to ~11,800' and Lake Como
19:13 - Final stretch of road from Lake Como at ~11,800', and the first stretch of trail up to Crater Lake at ~12,800.
28:02 - The section of the trail up Blanca Peak's NW face, from ~12,800' to ~13,800'
33:38 - The final ascent to the summit, up Blanca's NW ridge, from ~13,800' to 14,345'
42:59 - Scenes & comments at the top
45:47 - Descending the final pitch, and thoughts
46:29 - Final reflections on the climb
48:10 - Some final scenes from the day
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Music selections:
1) "Solo Cello Passion" - Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions (TH-cam audio library)
2) "Eagle Rock" - Wes Hutchinson (TH-cam audio library)
3) "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" - Zachariah Hickman" (TH-cam audio library)
4) "Arkansas Traveler" - Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum (TH-cam audio library)
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Additional sources:
1) For maps: U.S. Geological Survey - USGS
2) "A Climbing Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners" by Walter R. Borneman and Lyndon J. Lampert. Pruett Publishing, 2nd edition, 1988.
3) "Colorado's Fourteeners - From Hikes to Climbs" by Gerry Roach. Fulcrum Publishing, 3rd edition, 2011.
4) 14ers.com: Blanca Peak/routes/Northwest Ridge
5) For signs: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA
6) "Colorado's Highest - The History of Naming the 14,000-Foot Peaks" by Jeri L. Norgren. John Fielder Publishing, 2020.
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The hike/climb to the top of this mountain - which could just as well also be called a journey - was as long and exhausting as it looks like it would be when viewing it from ~7,600 feet in the San Luis Valley - but also just as awe-inspiring and picturesque. For more mountain hikes/climbs: th-cam.com/play/PL_-D3-4b6xbqY9qs5cN_QFTiqs4gNUstL.html
-Centennial Treks
This was absolutely the best, most informative video I've seen on climbing Blanca Peak. Loved the music as well. Thank you so much for posting!!
Thank you for your kind words! That's part of what motivates me to do these and tells me I have had a measure of success in my goals for these videos. (And thanks for mentioning the music too - I try hard on that!). Later. -CT
Great music. Live near there but never climbed it. Thanks for the guided summit. Dont think I would do it alone the first time.
Thank you for saying so - I work hard on that part! And I'm often going on these myself, but granted, going with someone is optimal.
Mountain view beautiful
Indeed, it is.
I did some of this 55 years ago on some of the easier 14ers in the San Juans. Superb video! I liked seeing your hands on the last 400 feet or so showing the steepness. Such video equipment was unavailable in my prime. I'm delighted it is in yours. Your capture and orientation were so good I could feel that razor thin sharpness of 14,000 air. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for viewing and your kind assessment. I love seeing how often these videos bring back climbing memories for people. I too am glad there is such manageable recording equipment available now. Being able to capture these experiences adds something to it for me, and hopefully for others too.
Bought some acreage in the shadow of Mt Blanca! Very excited to get out there eventually
Enjoyed the video. Great views. Text on the screen is helpful. Good job !
That was one very grueling hike. I was down there at Sand Dunes over July 4th and remember looking up at this group of impressive mountains in awe. Just done with Longs last weekend and this looks more difficult and exhausting than that
It is indeed an impressive (& intimidating) group of peaks. Blanca, while not as difficult as Longs from a climbing perspective, is arguably more exhausting - as it involves over 1,000 more feet in elevation gain and several more total miles, if you begin near 8,000 feet.
Brings back a lot of memories. Loved that hike. Hated lake como road
Yeah, that road is plenty long and grueling on foot; I can only suppose it would be the same in a vehicle, as well as rough and jarring. That mountain is still the most elevation I have ever gained on foot in order to climb just one peak....but worth it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Nice zoom, at the 10:30 mark. Think I will go scout Blanca Peak tmrw, see how far I can get b4 walking the rest. Trying to get an estimation of miles we’ll need to walk, hoping to still do it in a day. Certain years, others say bears can be a problem. Very informative video on Blanca Peak, thanks for putting in the time, it’s been helpful.
Thanks for saying so......I believe the round-trip total for my day starting at ~8,000' was 16 or 17 miles and over 10 hours altogether (And I go faster than average). However, I tend to err on the side of not attempting to drive up terrain that I don't know about. That being said, it would be possible to knock probably at least a few miles and a fair chunk of time off the total by driving up higher in a suitable vehicle. It is doable in a long day. Also, I saw no bears or other potentially menacing wildlife, but it is a possibility. Good fortune to you if you attempt this. -CT
Great video. I can't wait to climb this beauty, hopefully soon ❤
Well, get there if you can - the area doesn't disappoint!
@CentennialTreks Especially living in the valley my whole life and loving the outdoors, those peaks have been staring me down for awhile now. Hope to see some more videos soon 🙏
Wow, amazing sight to see day after day, and undoubtedly beckoning. I am going to the sand dunes there next month I think. I'm doing a new mtn climb video right now. Later!
Great job! Thanks for sharing!
Definitely - thanks for watching!!
Great zoom and steady hand!! Congrats on a great climb. I couldn't have done 'up' much less 'down'. That was amazing and the views were breathtaking. Thank you for taking us along!
Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. I do like having a good zoom-in function to show some perspective on the sizes of things and the distances & heights involved.
AWESOME!! We'll be in Blanca this weekend and will do some intro recon on the mountain. Looking for any pointers on where to park etc. Very casual climb for our first time out there. No target elevations or goals except maybe the lake. Thanks in advance. -Chris and Stephanie
It is possible for most cars to make it a mile and a half or 2 miles beyond the intersection of hwy 150 and the Blanca Peak/Lake Como road (see 3:30 to 4:00 in the video). I would recommend driving at least this far up, unless you are into the extra hiking. There are plenty of flatter stretches along the sides of the road on this lower stretch where you shouldn't have any problem pulling off & parking. I'm not sure which lake you're referring to, but here in late May there will likely be a fair amount of snow up higher. I imagine Lake Como should be easy enough to reach (~11,800'), but snow conditions could increase before Crater Lake (~12,800'). Lake Como might be a suitable goal for a more casual outing here - though even then you'd still be looking at 10 or 11 miles round trip, and well over 3,000' elevation gain. You can see the summit of Blanca from near Lake Como (17:25 to 17:36), and get an idea for how much farther and higher it is after having already come that far. Anyway, enjoy your time there! -CT
Heck of a hike CT! You put up some serious numbers here... That crazy "road" looks like it would be fun in a jeep! And the terrain after the road ends just looks awesome. Well done sir!
Hey O.E. what's happening?! - thanks for getting through another one! Putting 'road' in quotes is very appropriate for this. From what I have read in the literature, jeeps can make it a ways up but usually even they have to stop well short of Lake Como. Apparently, this road has been notorious over the years for claiming people's vehicles. And I guess within circles of off-road enthusiasts, there are certain difficult points on this road that have the nickname "Jaws." There is "Jaws 1," "Jaws 2," "Jaws 3," etc. Quite a mtn. both on foot and wheels.
@@CentennialTreks Just enjoying the summer CT! Yeah there are definitely parts in the video that would be tough in any big Jeep. Cool to know about the technical sections. And indeed, quite a mountain!!
Yeah me too - trying to get in as many outings as I can. Hopefully you can as well.
@@CentennialTreks Looking forward to catching more buddy! :)
Yeah, since I'm older I've Jeeped this a couple of times with others, without incident. The second time we were able to get to Blue lakes as the road had been recently reopened. Beyond Como, we saw deer, elk, antelope and a "coyote" which looked about 200 pounds, dark gray-blue and was easily three or more feet at the shoulder. I don't think it was a coyote, LOL! I'm sure the bears saw us. Our Jeeps are somewhat modestly built and all of us were experienced drivers.....sure beats walking, but I doubt we could have kept up with Treks. We camped at Como; it was August and probably the warmest night of the year. Blanca is a bucket list affair.
It does look very beautiful there, lots of green and water.
Yes - an amazing group of mtns.
@@CentennialTreks I am hoping and working for it, to plan a vacation next year to Colorado. Hike those beautiful trails, and ofcourse those 14ers.
It did look arduous! Good job with the camera work and the information
Yeah did you see that arduousness sneak up and kick my a@#?!.
In the video, go to 45:53 and stop - you will see Lily Lake straight ahead and the Huerfano Valley to the right. This is looking north east. Do you see the ridge with what looks like a trail coming from Lily Lake toward Blanca Peak. I have been to Lily Lake coming up the Huerfano Valley many times. It looks like a much easier approach to climb Blanca from the east up to Lily Lake then cut across the ridge. You can drive a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle within about 4 to 5 miles from Lily Lake - save a tremendous amount of time and energy. Has anyone tried this approach as opposed to coming from the west up to Lake Como? I am thinking of trying this path this summer (2023). Love to hear from anyone who has tried this route.
I haven't been on this route, but in the 14er guide, Gerry Roach describes the routes up Blanca from the Lily Lake TH. It looks like they involve a lot less distance, but the easiest of them involves at least class 4 terrain, and class 5 on the more direct routes.
@@CentennialTreks thank you!