The major part of the Wet Mountains to the east and the Front Range to the northeast are also pre-Cambrian, also about 1.8 billion years old. The granite that makes up the Blanca massif is pre-Cambrian in age, dated at approximately 1.8 billion years old. The peak viewed from Smith Reservoir, south of Blanca Geology Little Bear also has a high connecting ridge to Blanca, but it is a technical traverse, only recommended for highly experienced parties. Ellingwood Point is connected to Blanca by a short, high ridge, and is often climbed in conjunction with Blanca. Three other fourteeners are nearby: Mount Lindsey to the east, Ellingwood Point to the north and Little Bear Peak to the southwest. However these are not used to access the peak due to private property. Blanca Creek drains Blanca Basin under the south slopes of the peak, and Little Ute Creek descends from the Winchell Lakes on the southeast side. A road, starting out as a two-wheel drive road, then becoming a four-wheel drive road (less challenging than the Como Lake Road), provides access to the technical climbing on the North Face of Blanca Peak. The Huerfano River flows from the north side of Blanca Peak. The Como Lake Road is rated as the most challenging 4WD road in Colorado. The Como Lake Road is a designated Alamosa County Road and runs to the edge of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness just short of Blue Lakes. Most vehicles stop at an elevation of between 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and 10,000 feet (3,000 m) on this road. An extremely challenging four wheel drive road accesses Como Lake 11,750 feet (3,580 m), and provides the most common access to Blanca Peak. Holbrook Creek is on the west, flowing from a basin including Crater Lake, Blue Lakes, and Como Lake. īlanca is also the third most topographically prominent peak in Colorado it is separated from the higher peaks in the Sawatch Range by relatively low Poncha Pass at 9,019 feet (2,749 m).īlanca Peak heads up three major creeks. For example, it rises nearly 7,000 feet (2,100 m) over the edge of the San Luis Valley in only 6 miles (9.7 km). Approximately 15 miles (24 km) to the north-northwest is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.īlanca Peak is notable not only for its absolute height, but also for its great local relief and dominant position at the end of the range, rising high above the San Luis Valley to the west. It lies approximately 20 miles (32 km) east-northeast of the town of Alamosa. īlanca Peak is located at the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo Range, a subrange of the more extensive Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and is the highest peak in both ranges. The Blanca Peak Tripoint is the highest point in Huerfano County.

The Blanca Peak Tripoint of Alamosa, Costilla, and Huerfano counties is located on the same drainage divide approximately 251 feet (77 m) northeast by north ( bearing 30°) of the Blanca Peak summit at the boundary of the San Isabel National Forest. Blanca Peak is higher than any point in the United States east of its longitude. North & South Blanca Glaciers were located at 37° 35N.,longitude 105° 28W. Below the steep North Face of Blanca Peak two live Glaciers once developed, until extinction sometime after 1903. The summit is the highest point of both counties and the entire drainage basin of the Rio Grande. The fourteener is located 9.6 miles (15.5 km) north by east ( bearing 9°) of the Town of Blanca, on the drainage divide separating Rio Grande National Forest and Alamosa County from the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant and Costilla County. The ultra-prominent 14,351-foot (4,374 m) peak is the highest summit of the Sierra Blanca Massif, the Sangre de Cristo Range, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. īlanca Peak ( Navajo: Sis Naajinį́) is the fourth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. Tripoint of Alamosa, Costilla, and Huerfano counties, Colorado, US High point of Huerfano County.

High point of both Alamosa and Costilla counties, Colorado, US Īugby the Wheeler Survey (first recorded)

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