Colorado Trail Ride - Blanca Peak

The author idled his venerable Scrambler (yes, Project Too Long still hits the trails!) toward Jaws 2. A bounce sideways to the left is not as hazardous as in times past, as the adopting club has shored up the edge of the road to increase the size of the "landing zone." Care is still required as a bad bounce can be fatal.

The upper zones of the Lake Como Road traverse the giant, steeply sloping pile of granite that we know as the Blanca Massif.

There are several possible lines through the granite difficulties of Jaws 2.5. Some lines are much easier to execute when the rock is dry and sufficient traction is available.There are several possible lines through the granite difficulties of Jaws 2.5. Some lines are much easier to execute when the rock is dry and sufficient traction is available.

Brandon Roby slid his truck through Jaws 2.5. The heavily modified Toy' sports 37-inch tires and more than a few "love marks" from previous encounters of the mineral type.

With Jaws 3 much easier than a decade ago, the series of ledges and rocks in the road above provides most of the remaining challenge. The bypass doesn't include this area, so everyone must scale the off-camber rocks.

Paul Caskey was the "little dog" of the group with 33-inch tires and only one solid locker. Careful coaching and good driving skills made up for the deficit in size and equipment. Thirty-five-inch tires and a pair of lockers creates more chance for success on Blanca Peak.

Leon Duggar crossed it up while dancing on the ledges above Jaws 3. Dry conditions and low gears allowed everyone to slowly ease up most obstacles.

The area below Lake Como is a vast slope of light-colored granite that is hurtling (geologically speaking) downward as the mountain erodes.

The view across Lake Como from the campsite was simply stunning. The slopes of Little Bear just beyond the lake can be intimidating to the climber intending to ascend them.