Lake Como Road, CO

[adkinsadam1]

We are headed up to climb Blanca Peak this weekend. The road up to the trailhead is Lake Como Road, and we would like to drive to the top. We have a stock 2006 4runner Limited except some slightly better tires and were wondering if you think it's possible to make it and if we should go for it. Thanks so much! Here is a video for reference - YouTube - Stock Dodge Ram on Lake Como Road

And here are some more pictures of the road:
http://www.14ers.com/routeph2.php?route=como0&peak=Blanca+Peak

 

[JB.]

We are headed up to climb Blanca Peak this weekend. The road up to the trailhead is Lake Como Road, and we would like to drive to the top. We have a stock 2006 4runner Limited except some slightly better tires and were wondering if you think it's possible to make it and if we should go for it. Thanks so much! Here is a video for reference - YouTube - Stock Dodge Ram on Lake Como Road

And here are some more pictures of the road:
14ers.com • Blanca Peak | Route Photos

You're not, uh.......kidding?

If you're talking about the road that proceeds NE from hwy 150 for about 7 miles to Lake Como, it's listed by Charles Wells as the hardest trail in his Colorado Back Roads book. If the trailhead is anywhere near Lake Como, I'd say plan for a longer hike.

 

[adkinsadam1]

That's not the kind of response I was hoping for! I've looked at all the obstacles, and with correct wheel placement, it seems like it could be doable, and if that stock RAM can do it with it's GIANT wheel base and only 7" of ground clearance, and 4runner ought to be able to also, but you seem skeptical. I will have to approach it with caution, and it would help to see the road in real life. Continued comments and opinions are welcome.

 

[turbodudey2]

Definitely don't plan on driving all the way to the lake. I've been up there before, and it gets pretty sketchy. In your truck, I'd recommend just driving up a little way (2 miles or so) and parking. It get's gnarly in a couple places and you'd risk trashing your rig or getting seriously stuck.

Once you get to the really rocky part, you're going to have to go so slow you'd make better time on foot anyway.

Blanca is a nice climb, (don't know how experienced with 14ers your are) but be sure to get a really early start, because it's a pretty long hike. And be prepared for cold weather (freezing rain/snow), we've been getting some of that already.

Hope that helps, and have a fun weekend!

 

[rusm]

We are headed up to climb Blanca Peak this weekend. The road up to the trailhead is Lake Como Road, and we would like to drive to the top. We have a stock 2006 4runner Limited except some slightly better tires and were wondering if you think it's possible to make it and if we should go for it. Thanks so much! Here is a video for reference - YouTube - Stock Dodge Ram on Lake Como Road

And here are some more pictures of the road:
14ers.com • Blanca Peak | Route Photos

Don't go by yourself!
This looks like a trail that should be classified as a 4.5/5 and should probably not be attempted by a stock vehicle that would most likely become a trail tampon and require lots of work/repair before it could be recovered. There is no way that I would do this trail alone, I would be more than moderately concerned about breakage while on the trail and I would not expect to complete the whole trail without winching.

 

[JB.]

I've looked at all the obstacles, and with correct wheel placement, it seems like it could be doable.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree with you about the ultimate doability with lots of care and open ended time, but if you're using the road as a thru route on a time table, your damage risk goes way up, imo (and the time pressure would take the fun out of it for me). Also, pics nearly always significantly under-represent actual difficulty. Nothing can replace seeing it live.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

your over your head

Politely the fact you're even asking leads me to believe you're not appreciating the difficulty the road presents.

Can you make it? Maybe...

Without incurring any body damage? I'm skeptical....

Guess it all depends on what is important to you. My ride has to get me back home. I don't put it into situations that others have already told me are sketchy.

Not sure how your 06's ground clearance compares to my 99 or even that stock Ram truck. That's really not the point.

Driver skill is the most important variable. If you don't have extensive experience in off roading you truly should not be risking your vehicle/your safety or that of your passengers on certain sections of this road. What if something were to happen? How would you get out of the way for other traffic?

It's not a contest. Off roading is a co-op. We all look out for one another.

Knowing when (and where) to say when is the most important decision point to make.

 

[leftyguns21]

there is no way i would attempt this road. best of luck if you try. let us know how it goes

 

[Johnny4runner]

For what it's worth, I hiked Blanca Peak 15+ years ago. I had a jeep then and parked it before I got to Lake Como and hiked the rest of the way. Based on my memory, I'm skeptical of stock 4Runner making it up.


- JB

 

[BigFishAllDay]

First, please see this thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/69787-offroad-recovery-fees.html

Second, I've wanted to try driving up that road for years. I've done alot of research on it and I've reviewed many write-ups of trips that people have taken up there. I'm at work so I don't have the links available, but search around and you'll find a lot of info on it. As others have mentioned that is one of the hardest trails in CO. I would never, ever, ever take my stock 4runner up there, be it alone or with a group. You WILL break something. I have only seen one vehicle/met one driver in person who has done it top to bottom. He had a jeep wrangler, double locked, armored, on 37's. And he said it was still a tough trail.

Third, that Dodge isn't even doing one of the harder sections. That video only shows a small section of a terrible "road" that I doubt the Dodge even went halfway up.

EDIT: I dug up a link for you with some good info... link >>>> http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=112

 

[sn0wrunner]

I think it looks like fun

 

[downpour11]

I think it looks like fun

I would't try it stock but then again I'm broke so it would be a set back once I broke a few things... but yes it does look very fun sn0wrunner... so with that, DO IT!! post pic's of your dented gas tank and broken ifs parts!!

 

[sn0wrunner]

I would't try it stock but then again I'm broke so it would be a set back once I broke a few things... but yes it does look very fun sn0wrunner... so with that, DO IT!! post pic's of your dented gas tank and broken ifs parts!!

Hahaha! Thats funny!

Trail Damage rates this trail at 7-8:

TrailDamage.com - Blanca Peak


And I've done a few 8 rated trails here in colorado.

I've successfully run Iron Chest without any damage at all. That trail is rated 6-8. TrailDamage.com - Iron Chest

Some pics of Iron Chest:

Chinaman Gulch is rated high side 7. And no I didnt take the low side 4 by passes:

Back on topic.... Would it be smart to try and take a stock vehicle on this trail? NO! But to question my ability to run a trail without ever having met me or seen my driving. I laugh at you.

As for bashing up the gas tank, that aint going to be possible with one of these:


That would be lil skips off road gas tank skid for the 3rd gens.

 

[rusm]

I think it looks like fun

Agreed, but no so much for a stock 4th Gen! If I ever make it out to Colorado I'd like to run this trail.

 

[downpour11]

hey that post wasn't directed at you hahaha it was at the guy who started the thread. Your truck is MORE than capable of running those trails! Awesome pic's though bro, love it!

 

[sn0wrunner]

gottcha!

Thanks for not taking that the wrong way then, and having a sense of humor about it lol

 

[downpour11]

gottcha!

Thanks for not taking that the wrong way then, and having a sense of humor about it lol

For sure man, I'm all laughs. Alot of sarcasm too lol It's a forum, sometimes posts get miscommunicated as you probably know lol. BTW I've just decided to started posting, yet I've been around for a couple years on here and ttora and yotatech. I've built two past 4runners and I'm now starting on my third, I've just never been much of a picture taker and poster. I wish I did though, cuz I don't have any pic's of them! But I've followed your build for a while mucho props man. But I will be taking pic's of this coming build...which I will post. For once lol.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Very cool! Thanks for the compliments too dude!

Looking forward to seeing pics of your 3rd Build!

 

[Nando85]

2014 4x4 SR5 stock

It’s 8 years later but whatever.
I just made a trip out there with my 14 4x4 SR5, stock everything except for some KO2’s (275/70/R17).
I went as far as I could which was about half a mile from Jaws 1 (~10,000 ft).
I used 4low and the ATRAC, and had no issues whatsoever.
4Runner was a beast up and down that mountain.
My copilot got down to remove excessively huge rocks out of the way
And I did the same to figure out my paths.
Only damage was some minor scratches from trees.
This is my first 4runner, I loved it before this trip and now it impressed me like having a kid that goes off to graduate from college.
Definitely doable with stock 4x4 5th Gen, just not all the way.

P.S. Another 5th gen SR5 stock was near where I was, and not to mention a stock looking Xterra was right next to me.