Reaching Blanca Peak means walking or crawling up the Lake Como road

Blanca Peak rises above the northwest edge of Costilla County and is one of the tallest mountains in Colorado. The Forest Service calls it the state’s fourth-highest peak. People come from far away to climb it, but getting to the start is its own challenge.

The trailhead sits a few miles north of Highway 160 by way of State Road 150 and a dirt road. From there, the route follows the road toward Lake Como. The Forest Service describes the first stretch as an extremely rough, rocky jeep road, and says climbing it by vehicle takes a specialized four-wheel drive rig. Many people simply park lower down and walk up instead, which adds miles and time on foot.

This is high, exposed country. There is no drinking water or restroom at the trailhead, and the weather can change fast, with thunderstorms possible. Climbing Blanca, or the nearby Little Bear Peak and Ellingwood Point, is a serious, full-day effort at very high elevation, not a casual stroll.

If you plan to visit or climb here, check the route, road condition, and current rules with the managing agency, the Rio Grande National Forest, before you go.