How Far Up Blanca could I make it?

[quicksilver98]

Pretty broad question, I know. I have been scouring old threads all day and found some damn good intel, but I need more. The only reason I am even attempting the trail to Como is because I am going to do the Little Bear summit and want to get as close as possible to the Lake.

My Wrangler is pretty close to stock:

-2004 TJ
-3 inch BL
-33 inch Pro Comp Mud Terrains
-Trail Rated sticker (I know this changes everything)


Like I said, nothing spectacular. All I need to hear is some advice on what I am even looking at with an almost stock TJ. And forgive me if I posted this in the wrong forum. I wasn't sure where to put this.



Spank you.

[Digger]

park just before jaws one and hike it.
Blanca is a serious trail not to be taken lightly, or alone without a winch, rollcage and lockers.
:thumbsup:

[rockkrusher]

park just before jaws one and hike it.
Blanca is a serious trail not to be taken lightly, or alone without a winch, rollcage and lockers.
:thumbsup:
I would have to agree here.Way to many rollovers have happened up there including my own and I was and am again built for the trail.

[rubbersidedown]

I made it to the lake without a problem in my 3.5" lift and 33's and lockers. Now that said. . .I was with a great group, and we took our time and spotted every obstacle very well!! There was a, damn near ,totally stock Jeep all the way past the first 4 Jaws, and he looked to be alone (from MN). THAT I would no recommend at all!!! It is worth the drive. . . the views and the lake are spectacular!!!

[Matt]

X2 on park before Jaws 1.

Climb Safe. :thumbsup:

[quicksilver98]

Thanks for the replys. That helps tremendously.

[Swat]

There is not much margin for error. No lockers and you could be over the edge quckly. Maybe you could jump in with someone?

[scottycards]

There is not much margin for error. No lockers and you could be over the edge quckly. Maybe you could jump in with someone?

X2. You could probably make it, but without the control that lockers will give you, one bad bounce, and your whole day could be ruined.

I'd be skeered to run it with 33's open.

[MinesJeep]

Take it from me, I've run alot of trails stock. Park and walk or hitch a ride.

[quicksilver98]

Yeah, my jeep is basically my daily driver. I'd be hard pressed to beat the hell out of it, even if it was modified. Off-road hijinks are one thing, but rockcrawling with it is something it just isn't ready for right now.

[wileec]

X2. You could probably make it, but without the control that lockers will give you, one bad bounce, and your whole day could be ruined.

I'd be skeered to run it with 33's open.

I guess that leaves my open Bronco out huh?....Damn realy want that one under my belt.

[scottycards]

I guess that leaves my open Bronco out huh?....Damn realy want that one under my belt.

Well, I'm not saying it couldn't be done, since that trail has been there a long time- probably longer than 35's and ARB's have been around. I'm just saying I'd be skeered. I don't want to go out rolling off the side of a mountain taking a risk that I deem unnecessary.

Now if I go out with a blown tire at 200, not a problem. :D

[MinesJeep]

Now if I go out with a blown tire at 200, not a problem. :D

Now, that would be a fun way to go out. When I get a full time job, I'm so buying a new car and running that race out in Nevade with you. I miss racing, but it means a whole lot less speeding tickets.

[jimfoo]

You could always buy my car and race at CNS.:D

[MinesJeep]

You could always buy my car and race at CNS.:D

Haha, not buying anything for awhile, but what you got :D

[jimfoo]

'74 camaro. It was superstock class back in '94 when I last raced it, but is now about what a sportsman is.

[Blue Dodge]

I ran the trail a month ago. I think, like with most trails, they get mor edifficult over time due to erosion. Holy Cross is good example, its noticably harder now then even 6 years ago.

I agree on parking before Jaws 1.

Jaws 1 could be driven on the perfect line but a swb and no lockers would be difficult and could roll if pushed.

Jaws 2 -- I run front and rear lockers up and down this onbstacle. Not the hardest ever but the memorial on the side gets you thinking.

Jaws 2.5 -- this obstacle is getting harder every time I run it. I doubt you could make it at all without lockers.
Jaws 3 -- worse goign down then up.

Rest of the trail has some hard spots too. But nothing as difficult as 1,2, and 2.5

[mrladewig]

I ran the trail a month ago. I think, like with most trails, they get mor edifficult over time due to erosion. Holy Cross is good example, its noticably harder now then even 6 years ago.

I agree on parking before Jaws 1.

Jaws 1 could be driven on the perfect line but a swb and no lockers would be difficult and could roll if pushed.

Jaws 2 -- I run front and rear lockers up and down this onbstacle. Not the hardest ever but the memorial on the side gets you thinking.

Jaws 2.5 -- this obstacle is getting harder every time I run it. I doubt you could make it at all without lockers.
Jaws 3 -- worse goign down then up.

Rest of the trail has some hard spots too. But nothing as difficult as 1,2, and 2.5

I agree with the others. I have run it on 33's, but I've got lockers front and rear and ran it with another Rubicon on 33s. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you run it spotted, taking the easiest lines with a good group, but not by yourself.

There is a complete bypass on Jaws 3 and at least when I was there, Jaws 1 had a bypass to the left of the fin. But there is no bypass on Fins 2 and I think this obstacle has the most serious consequences of any on the trail. There are multiple lines on Jaws 2.5, but like Blue Dodge said, it looks like this is getting harder every year.

From a hiking perspective, you gain nothing by driving past Jaws 1 because there are few if any places appropriate to park between it and Jaws 2, which is very close.

[quicksilver98]

Okay,

I am thinking about leaving after work tomorrow and getting to the trail sometime before midnight. Is it a good idea to take the trail up to Jaws 1 at night? Does it even matter?

I am trying to do this hike on Saturday so I don't blow the whole weekend trying to hike this 14er.

[mrladewig]

Okay,

I am thinking about leaving after work tomorrow and getting to the trail sometime before midnight. Is it a good idea to take the trail up to Jaws 1 at night? Does it even matter?

I am trying to do this hike on Saturday so I don't blow the whole weekend trying to hike this 14er.

The road is quite easy up to Jaws 1. And I mean that literally. Its very easy, and then suddenly it isn't when you reach Jaws 1. There are some switchbacks, but the road surface is level and mostly wide as I remember it. The only thing with the lower road is that like many Sangre de Cristo roads, it is "paved" with cobblers -> bowling ball sized rocks, especially in the first 2 miles. If you lower your tire pressure, the ride will be much better. You can air up at a gas station in Blanca or the next town.

There are several places to park along side the trail before Jaws 1. Just give some space before the obstacle so that if groups are passing each other around Jaws 1 there are pullouts available. When you enter the Como Lake drainage valley, the trees will change from pinyon pines to aspens and spruce. This happens shortly before Jaws 1 and is a good indicator to start looking for a parking spot.

As for whether it is a good idea to do this at night? I don't remember many flat spots for camping until you get close to Como Lake. So unless you are willing to sleep in your jeep or hike the trail to Como Lake in the dark, I'd try to camp below and drive up in the morning.

[quicksilver98]

The road is quite easy up to Jaws 1. And I mean that literally. Its very easy, and then suddenly it isn't when you reach Jaws 1. There are some switchbacks, but the road surface is level and mostly wide as I remember it. The only thing with the lower road is that like many Sangre de Cristo roads, it is "paved" with cobblers -> bowling ball sized rocks, especially in the first 2 miles. If you lower your tire pressure, the ride will be much better. You can air up at a gas station in Blanca or the next town.

There are several places to park along side the trail before Jaws 1. Just give some space before the obstacle so that if groups are passing each other around Jaws 1 there are pullouts available. When you enter the Como Lake drainage valley, the trees will change from pinyon pines to aspens and spruce. This happens shortly before Jaws 1 and is a good indicator to start looking for a parking spot.

As for whether it is a good idea to do this at night? I don't remember many flat spots for camping until you get close to Como Lake. So unless you are willing to sleep in your jeep or hike the trail to Como Lake in the dark, I'd try to camp below and drive up in the morning.


Very informative...rock n roll.

I actually have a bed made in my jeep. I had some plywood cut at home depot and have it sitting where the passenger seat is supposed to be. I just lay a foam sleeping pad down with my sleeping bag on top of it, put on some styx, and I'm out like a light.

It's actually pretty cool. The back end of the plywood sits on top of my Bestop trunk, and the front of it sits on top of my "oh shit" bar above the glove compartment.

Anyway, I am going to drive as far as I can (Jaws 1) and then pull over to get a few hours of sleep. After that, I'm off like a prom dress.

[REDBULL]

Here's what you do. Go ahead and leave tomorrow night. You can drive the first part of the trail in the dark without too many problems. Once you get up a ways, you will start hitting some real sharp switchbacks to the left, and they will wake you up. They aren't hard if you just pay attention, but you will know that you are getting close. When you get past the 3rd switchback (I think) look to your right and there will be a real nice camp spot that you can pull into with the jeep. Camp there for the night. You have 2 options for hiking up on Saturday. You can either leave the jeep there and hike from the camp spot, or you can pack up and drive a little further to Jaws 1 like everyone else has recommended (maybe 1/2 mile or so). From Jaws 1 it is 2 miles to Lake Como, which will go pretty fast. From Lake Como it is ~3 miles to the top of Blanca Peak. We did not do Little Bear, so I'm not sure how much further it is or what route you are taking....

Definitely start early and watch for weather. (I'm sure you know that). We have been camping up there every year for the past 5-6 years and it seems to rain/hail quite a bit in the afternoons up there. Definitely not fun if you are up on the peak! There is a short repelling section on Little Bear, so be real careful and make sure you are aware of anybody above you on that section. We were talking with a group that had some rocks let loose and hit them while they were climbing up!

Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the views!!

[meatblanket]

The first couple of times I went in there (years ago) I found parking below Jaws 1 and hiked from there. It makes for a much longer day, particularly if you are climbing more than one mountain.

The last time I was up there, 2-3 years ago, my Jeep was finally built to the point where I could get to the top with no difficulty. From the top, it is pretty easy to bag all 3 14ers in one day.

You might consider the north face route on Little Bear that is described in Roach's guidebook. I thought it was no more difficult than the standard route, and probably safer since there would be fewer people on it to kick rocks down on you.

If the weather is nice, consider doing the traverse to Blanca. It's the best part of the climb, and Blanca is a much easier descent that LB. If you are in good shape and comfortable with the exposure, it will take you no more than 2-2.5 hours to do the traverse.

[quicksilver98]

Great idea on the camping spot, and thanks for the heads up.

I'll be taking the southwest face route up little bear, which I believe is a pretty standard route. I know that people use the northwest face to do the little bear/blanca route across the ridge, but the exposure on the ridge might not be suitable depending on what time I actually reach the summit on little bear.

I just want to be down before the afternoon storms, which is basically what I have been forming my whole trip around.

Anyway, I have to be back to call my wife at a certain time or she will come looking for me...at that point I'm better off facing the weather than my wife.