Posted: 8/17/2026 4:33:00 PM EDT
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I'm attempting to summit Blanca Peak with some friends in a couple weeks, but will arrive in the general area (solo) several days early. I just want to set up camp and chill, get acclimated a little bit. I'm weighing a few different options for camping. I don't really have a preference for campground versus dispersed, as long as it's not a crowded campground. 1. Camp at base of mountain along Como Lake Road. Easiest option, but I don't necessarily want to stay in the same spot the whole week. 2. Get a camp site at the dunes. They seem relatively crowded though. Would have to make reservations quickly. 3. Drive through the dunes and up Medano Pass. Find dispersed camping. I've been up there but it was maybe 2018. I don't remember what the dispersed camping situation is. 4. North Crestone Creek campground. A little further away, but seems like an easy way to find a spot without being crowded. First come, first serve. Maybe eat a little dust walking into town for a beer. 5. Other side - Hayden Creek campground, then drive over Hayden Pass and head south. I'm mostly leaning towards options 3 or 4, but haven't been in the area for several years so I don't know what may have changed. Any new info, or something I haven't thought about? Any advice is appreciated. |
McCarthy was right.
| Go bag another nearby 14er. If you're a little wary, then do Humboldt. It's pretty tame. Definitely the easiest in the Sangre de Cristos. I did it before the parking lot got moved lower. It will still be tame - just a longer hike than when I did it. I car camped (bed of my truck) in the parking lot. Culebra is a close second, but requires reservations and a little money as it's on private property. I've done all of them but Little Bear, which is the hardest. 14ers.com is/was (haven't visited it in a while) a good site for info. |
"Positive rights" are neither.
Busy leaving people the F alone.
Busy leaving people the F alone.
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GRL
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I have done Blanca and Ellingwood at different times. I backpacked it and camped above Lake Como. Amazing experience, one of my favorite areas to backpack. Is backpacking in an option? Humboldt is a great and easier mountain as well. Again, I have camped at upper and lower Colony Lakes and would suggest that if you are up for it. Without experience, don’t do anything tougher than Blanca. Another option is Lily Lake/Mt Lindsey area. |
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Originally Posted By uncle_big_green: Go bag another nearby 14er. If you're a little wary, then do Humboldt. It's pretty tame. Definitely the easiest in the Sangre de Cristos. I did it before the parking lot got moved lower. It will still be tame - just a longer hike than when I did it. I car camped (bed of my truck) in the parking lot. Culebra is a close second, but requires reservations and a little money as it's on private property. I've done all of them but Little Bear, which is the hardest. 14ers.com is/was (haven't visited it in a while) a good site for info. Originally Posted By uncle_big_green: Go bag another nearby 14er. If you're a little wary, then do Humboldt. It's pretty tame. Definitely the easiest in the Sangre de Cristos. I did it before the parking lot got moved lower. It will still be tame - just a longer hike than when I did it. I car camped (bed of my truck) in the parking lot. Culebra is a close second, but requires reservations and a little money as it's on private property. I've done all of them but Little Bear, which is the hardest. 14ers.com is/was (haven't visited it in a while) a good site for info. Originally Posted By Manwithn0nam3: I have done Blanca and Ellingwood at different times. I backpacked it and camped above Lake Como. Amazing experience, one of my favorite areas to backpack. Is backpacking in an option? Humboldt is a great and easier mountain as well. Again, I have camped at upper and lower Colony Lakes and would suggest that if you are up for it. Without experience, don't do anything tougher than Blanca. Another option is Lily Lake/Mt Lindsey area. I'm in better shape than last time. Except my feet - plantar fasciitis. It's not as bad as a lot of people. After lots of stretching and other exercises, I'm able to do an hour and a half of zone 2 on the treadmill- wearing my New Balance with just minor discomfort. I have two newer pairs of hiking boots that absolutely kill my feet, and right now I'm trying an old pair of Danners that are better but I'm already having doubts. I may end up just wearing the New Balance.  My feet will probably be the limiting factor. But anyway, I don't think the extra weight of backpacking is a good idea.
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McCarthy was right.
Well, we're backpacking.  I think it's actually the right call due to the strong monsoon pattern. To the original question, I camped on Medano Pass for a couple nights, at about 9700ft. Weather is pretty unpredictable but the rains had me wondering about the creek crossing so I bailed after 2 nights instead of 3. Probably a good call, had water splashing over the hood of the truck! Tomorrow we make the trek to the lake, summit on Saturday. |
McCarthy was right.
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Backpacking to the lake went great, and I felt strong starting out the next morning heading to the peak, but ultimately my knee decided it was not the day for a summit. No acute injury, but it was bad enough that I was leaning on my trekking poles hard and any slip caused pain to shoot across, my knee, not to mention fall risk. My friends all made it. Weather was awesome, just a few minutes of rain right after we got tents set up. It was warm enough I had to sleep with my bag unzipped and my feet pokiing out. Feels good to be moderately fit after a decade of sloth. I need to try incorporating more hiking and backpacking in my vacation plans. Maybe just actually train for it, and start a little smaller.
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McCarthy was right.