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Earth satellite image of route
Rating: 3/10 Trinchera Peak is the highest mountain, at 13,517', in the northern half of the Culebra Range and lies southwest of the Spanish Peaks. The Trinchera Peak road is not a well known trail amongst the 4-wheeling community, primarily because it's out of the way, but it is used a little more by those hiking to the summit as it provides the shortest approach. Reading any existing online reports of the road (by climbers) really make it sound like this is a pretty difficult road, so hopefully some of the pictures and my assigned 3-rating will give a better feel of how it actually is for the avid 4-wheeler. The road starts near the Blue Lakes Campground off of FR 422 and has some rocky areas within the forested section along with a number of switchbacks. The trail then goes up to it's terminus at a mine around 12,600'. On the early June day when I traveled this, I got blocked by snow considerably lower than where the road ends, but still provided wonderful views to the Spanish Peaks and the Blue Lakes area below. I intended to go back later in the summer of 2003, but there were too many other roads calling my name. I definitely plan to go back this summer and perhaps do the 3/4-mile climb to the top of the peak where there are some excellent views in all directions, including the Blanca Massif to the north and Culebra Peak to the south. My gallery below is kind of lacking in the picture department, so hopefully I can add a few more good ones from my next trip up. I'm definitely looking forward to it. |
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