Blanca vrs. Kit Carson

[_jderbique]

Hello all,

I was looking at taking one of my long weekends in October and making a backpack up to either Lake Como and Blanca or to Willow Lake and Kit Carson. What are your opinions on both trips- from difficulty to camping to level of enjoyment? I would appreciate any information you have on your experiences. Thanks!

[dr_j]

Went up on successive weekends as day hikes. They are very long day hikes, especially Blanca from the bottom.

Willow Lake is a magical spot, one of CO's best places.

Challenger is downright awful going up and down. But the views of Willow Lake and Kit Carson and the Crestones are impressive.

Blanca is much less chossy, but somewhat less scenic in my opinion. The view of Ellingwood is impressive, though. I prefer Italy's Lake Como to Colorado's version.

Pick your poison!

[highpilgrim]

Challenger is downright awful going up and down.

I don't agree. If you take the standard route up and down, yes. But there is another route on the right side that is far more scenic and solid, as long as you can manage a little more exposure. I wouldn't do it wet but dry it was a blast and a big improvement on the alternative.

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26355" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 9&p=437481" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wentzl]

If you are comfortable with 4th class scrambling the North Ridge of Kit Carson is one of my favorite 14er climbs. I also think the hike in to Willow Lake is much nicer than hiking up the road to Lake Como. By the by, does anyone know if there is still a canoe at Willow Lake? Remember the controversy when someone took it out and managed to drown? I didn't follow what happened after that. But if the boat is still there, Willow Lake wins hands down!!

http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepor ... m=tripmine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[highpilgrim]

I also think the hike in to Willow Lake is much nicer than hiking up the road to Lake Como.

No comparison. Willow Lake is a much more fun hike in. It's sort of surprising how it looks inaccessible but is not.

One of the nicest places in the state.

[bdloftin77]

Went up on successive weekends as day hikes. They are very long day hikes, especially Blanca from the bottom.

Willow Lake is a magical spot, one of CO's best places.

Challenger is downright awful going up and down. But the views of Willow Lake and Kit Carson and the Crestones are impressive.

Blanca is much less chossy, but somewhat less scenic in my opinion. The view of Ellingwood is impressive, though. I prefer Italy's Lake Como to Colorado's version.

Pick your poison!

+1

Haven't done the right side route up Challenger though

[stoopdude]

Was at Willow Lake on Saturday, can confirm the canoe is still there, and there are two life jackets in it.

[Wentzl]

Was at Willow Lake on Saturday, can confirm the canoe is still there, and there are two life jackets in it.

Paddles?

[Wish I lived in CO]

Was at Willow Lake on Saturday, can confirm the canoe is still there, and there are two life jackets in it.

Paddles?

Was there in June, yes two paddles. Really enjoyed a lap around the lake in the canoe on each of two evenings. Was also useful for stashing the beer.

[stoopdude]

Sorry, I guess I assumed the paddles were a given, my bad. Yes, they're there. I also stashed a beer right by the canoe. Was definitely appreciated before the hike back out to the TH.

[_jderbique]

Challenger is downright awful going up and down.

I don't agree. If you take the standard route up and down, yes. But there is another route on the right side that is far more scenic and solid, as long as you can manage a little more exposure. I wouldn't do it wet but dry it was a blast and a big improvement on the alternative.

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26355" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 9&p=437481" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like an interesting route. Do you have any more info or pictures? I saw the two you had posted in the other forums. If you prefer you could PM or email me. Looks like a fun alternative to the standard route and I think I will try it. So far my only class 3 experience has been Wetterhorn and the Sawtooth (if you can even consider the Sawtooth class 3). How does it compare? My dad and I are, in my opinion, relatively comfortable with class 3 but inexperienced and exposure doesn't bother us too much Thanks! Jack