Lake Como Road

[rpatterson48]

I'm heading up to Lake Como tomorrow to do LB/Blanca on Saturday. How far from the lake can I plan on getting with an AWD Honda Pilot?

[Phill the Thrill]

Realistically, you can probably make it to a popular pullout at 8,800 ft., which leaves you approx 4 miles and 3,000 ft. elevation to Lake Como.

[jeffth5]

Last weekend:

Most normal cars were parked at the start of the road - 8,000ft.

Most stock car-frame SUVs and Subarus were parked around 8,800ft.

We made it to 9,750ft in a Jeep Grand Cherokee - it had 4wd and 8.3in of clearance though. Scraped once coming down.

Most slightly more capable vehicles made it to 10,100ft (Tacomas and the like) - near Jaws 0.5.

My recommendation - stop when you either get uncomfortable or start to see a lot of vehicles similar to yours parked along the road. There are numerous parking spots all along the road at every elevation - it's fairly intuitive.

[B_2]

http://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26880" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This old thread may or may not be helpful.

We made it to a bit before the first switchback in 2000 4Runner a few years ago.
I seem to recall that it was pretty obvious as to where parking might be a good idea.
Just like others said - diminishing returns.

Have fun!

[scootmanjones]

I drove to 8,800ft last October and then again to 8,800ft earlier this month in a newer 4Runner. I'm a 4x4 wimp and I also enjoy long walks on dusty, rocky roads. As someone suggested about a month ago, there did seem to be a bit of road improvement, especially right around the corner from the pull-outs at 8,800ft. I saw 5-10 large rocks sitting on the side of the road that were probably recently embedded in the road. If you can make it past 8,800ft you can make it another 1/2-3/4 mile or so.

[richwill]

The hideousness of this road cannot be over stated. NO WAY would I take my Tacoma up it. Drove the ATV to Como and had night mares for a week. (Blanca was worth it though). Do not attempt to drive too high, AWD isn't the issue, it's ground clearance. You will destroy your vehicle..no joke. I'd park just past the fences about 1.5 miles up, f you're daring try for the 8800 ft area. I guarantee if you go higher you'll regret it...vehicle recovery is expensive.

[_jderbique]

According to my "Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails", it is rated as difficult. It says minimum 33" tires, and use of a winch and breakdowns are common. Recommended for hard-core modified vehicles with 3" lift or ATV's. Have not been on this particular road, but I trust the rating systems with my other experiences of roads in the guide. Hope this helps!

Jack

[wondering_hough]

Over the past three weeks I've been there twice...my stock 2000 pathfinder made it to within 2.5 miles of the lake. My buddies 1999 jeep Cherokee made it to the same spot

[Patinator]

Substantial work has been done to the road. The area just after the first major left hand turn at the bottom used to be pretty nasty. It is much narrower, but much "easier". I used to stop at ~9800 (where there are now two camping areas) but can now get to ~10300 in a stock FJ Cruiser. Although I didn't try it because it was getting dark and I was solo, I think it might be possible to get over the first ridge. The only part that needs extra care and a navigation partner is immediately after the ~10300 right turn. Sadly, there aren't many spots past that point and continuing on is guaranteed damage. You also only will gain about 1/3 of a mile, but you will get to avoid walking down the road in the exposed hot sun.

[mikemalick]

This past weekend I made it up to 9,800' in my lowly 2006 Ford Escape. Prior to the work that was done not too long ago, I never went higher than 8,800'. I actually drove to over 10K, but the spots I had in mind were already taken and it was already dark so I headed back down to 9,800'. Escape is AWD with approx 8.1" clearance. I think I had two very minor scrapes on the way down.

[pmeadco]

The hideousness of this road cannot be over stated.

Oh man, just got a visual reminder of why I would rather not do that hike again. At least for awhile...

[SchralpTheGnar]

Park and walk the road, I'm mean geeze people, we are talking about hiking mountains,
Embrace the challenge, it will make you stronger