Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point
Tag two lofty summits on the Blanca Massif.
Extreme Hiking
- Distance
- 9.3 km
- Ascent
- 967 m
- Descent
- 967 m
One of the most technical and coveted 14er summits.
Hiking Extreme
Note: this route warrants a "Difficult" Mountaineering difficulty rating.
Thanks to a demanding Class 4 climb with extreme rockfall danger, Little Bear Peak is renowned as one of the most technical 14er summits in Colorado. In addition to the technicality, it's an objectively beautiful summit that provides a satisfying objective for climbers.
The hike begins by following the rough Lake Como/Blanca Peak 4x4 road, until eventually splitting off onto a singletrack trail.
After climbing through some talus and good rock, you'll approach the southwest face, where the climbing gets dramatically more difficult. Once you pass 13,300 feet, 14ers.com directs you to "locate the 'Hourglass' gully." You'll then climb this technical gully, following a fixed rope or two to reach the upper anchors.
The rest of the route to the summit "is loose and dangerous, and there's no obvious line," according to 14ers.com. Proceed with caution and carefully pick your line to the summit.
Due to the dramatic amount of loose rock on this climb, helmets are highly recommended.
Once on top of Little Bear Peak, it is also possible to traverse to nearby Blanca Peak, but this exposed, rocky ridgeline requires 2-5 hours of class 4 climbing and traversing (if you forgo ropes and protection). While coveted by Colorado climbers, this traverse is not mapped as a part of this adventure.
Sources: https://www.summitpost.org/little-bear-peak/150456 https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=litt6&peak=Blanca%2C+Ellingwood+and+Little+Bear
Extreme
Scrambling up mountains and along technical trails with moderate fall exposure. Handholds are necessary to navigate the trail in its entirety, although they are not necessary at all times. Some obstacles can be very large and difficult to navigate, and the grades can often be near-vertical. The challenge of the trail and the steepness of the grade results in very strenuous hiking. Hikes of this difficulty blur the lines between "hiking" and "climbing".
Tag two lofty summits on the Blanca Massif.
Extreme Hiking
6.9 km away
A secluded alpine lake trek.
Moderate Hiking
7 km away
One of the four 14er summits in the Sierra Blanca Massif.
Extreme Hiking