Mountaineering · YDS Class 2

South Face (Lake Como)

Distance RT
17.0 mi
Gain
6,201 ft
High Point
14,045 ft
Route Description

Blanca Peak's neighbor, sharing the same demanding Lake Como approach and usually combined with Blanca in a single "doubleheader" day.

Approach

The approach is identical to Blanca Peak's: Lake Como Road, off Colorado Highway 150, is one of the most difficult 4WD roads in the country, and passenger vehicles must park at its base. On foot, follow the road about 5 miles to Lake Como, then continue on the jeep track toward Blue Lakes, ascending headwalls and small basins to the saddle between Blanca and Ellingwood Point. From the saddle, turn left (west) and climb Ellingwood's south face to the summit at 14,042 feet.

Descent

Reverse the south face to the saddle, then descend the shared trail back to Lake Como and down the road. Many climbers pair this with Blanca Peak, traversing the connecting ridge between the two rather than returning to Lake Como between summits.

Weather Forecast
7-Day Forecast
Today
🌧️
Drizzle
35° / 29°
46%
💧0.03"
💨13
Tomorrow
❄️
Snow
35° / 26°
70%
0.9"
💨19
Sat, Sep 26
☁️
Overcast
46° / 23°
18%
💨7
Sun, Sep 27
🌧️
Drizzle
47° / 28°
3%
💨13
Mon, Sep 28
☁️
Overcast
46° / 25°
61%
💨16
Tue, Sep 29
🌧️
Drizzle
34° / 22°
67%
💧0.18"
💨9
Wed, Sep 30
☀️
Clear
44° / 18°
34%
💨9
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