What area of Colorado is this trail located? You guys seem to be from all over the state.

Volcom, I'll definately be lookin ya up for this trip.

 

It is in far Southern Colorado near the San Luis Valley near the Great Sand Dunes & Alamosa.

 

Thanks, this locale definately makes it more appealing. Is there more trails in the area?

 

Blanca is kinda of the only major trail in the area. It's a 2 hour drive from Pueblo but a 4 hour drive for the Denver folks. It doesn't as much action since it's further away. It's hard to do as a day trip for the Denver people.

 

ill wheel what i feel comfortable with, im about to put an incab cage in this truck, id rather not do anything until thats in place.

 

Blake, this trail isn't about roll cage. 1000 feet is 10's to perhaps even 100's of rolls. You die regardless of what the cage is. only so much pounding the body will take. In cab or exo cages are meant to help keep you alive if you do a hard roll or two.

 

How far from the Silverton/Ouray area?

Blake, you'll be fine just be patient.

 

i know that, like i said ill wheel what i feel comfortable with

 

The trailhead is right outside of Alamosa, CO - about 20 minutes.

Mapquest is your friend or topozone

 

Thanks Brian, Didn't know what town it was closest to.

Been out lately?

 

No problem. I've been wanting to run Blanca and Holy Cross for awhile now. Soon...maybe next summer, that or Fordyce/Dusy.

Yeah, ran Log Corral over the 4th but havent been out since that. Waiting for the weather to cool off and get my tcases mounted better, then its on.

 

I'd also be up for an AZ group trip to Blanca and others in the area...

 

Ric, if you decide to ever give this a try, which I think we could get your 4Runner up it, then let me know. My brother lives down in Center and is part of the Blanca 4wheel drive club. I could see about getting some locals out there to show you the lines it would take to make it up.

 

More pics from one of the guys on the trip

Three 14K foot peaks rise above the San Luis Valley. Blanca Peak is the tallest.


This obstacle is Jaws 1. These are 35" tires and about 4" of lift on this 4Runner. Jaws 1 just eats transfercase skids. You guys on 33's and a rear locker would probably have to winch over this.


Long-abandoned miner's cabins are just past Jaws 1.


The nasty and notorious Jaws 2. See the cliff edge. This claimed a guys life 7 years ago. No roll cage would hold up to that.


The right line of Jaws 2-1/2 is super difficult.


The left line of Jaws 2-1/2 is a bit easier. There is no bypass on Jaws 2.5. You would have to take this left line. Again, 33's, IFS, and a rear locker would probably have to winch.


This historic miner's cabin appears near Blanca Mine, just after Como Lake.


We approach treeline. Blanca Peak towers above us.


We are surrounded by three 14K foot peaks.


The trail ends above 12K feet at Blue Lakes.


Aaron broke a rear locker so Eric used his head to come up with an ingenious solution (Just kidding on the broken locker ). Coming down Jaws 3. Pretty big wheel stand for the crowd



The sun drops behind the Great Sand Dunes as we drive to our Medano Creek campsite.


How's that for a backyard?

 

Colorado is just plain amazing. Looks like a great trail.

 

Yes it is!! I'm glad to live here and enjoy it. Trail-wise, it's one of the best I've been on in Colorado. The scenery is amazing.

 

Damn that looks like a blast. Just curious, how long is the trail? It's a dead end or an up and back right? I'm gonna do this trail.

 

It's abut 7 miles, and yes, it's an out-and-back

http://www.4x4trails.net/db_view_trail.php?trailNum=15

 

Thanks tc.

 

Here's one way to do Jaws 1 on IFS w/ 32's locked F/R, single crawler.



And Jaws 2: