2016 Mtns & Mesas with covers

page 14
Mountains & Mesas
Trinchera Peak,
13’er in the rough
by Joseph King
Located in the Culebra Range of the Sangre de
Cristo mountains stands Trinchera (Trench) Peak at
13,517 feet, one of Colorado’s lesser-known 13’ers.
When viewing the peak from the east, it's easy to see
how the namesake originated. Dipping into the side
of the peak are a main cirque and a mini-cirque. The
larger cirque is a thrust fault from mountain building
episodes during the late Miocene.
As the cornerstone of three counties (Huerfano,
Las Animas, and Costilla), the western slope is entirely
on private land and is not open to the public.
The eastern slope, however, is accessible from the
Blue Lake area as well as the Purgatorie Campground.
To access the trailhead from the north, take US
160 west from Walsenburg or east from Fort Garland,
and take CO 12 through La Veta and go about 4 miles
past the village of Cuchara. From the south, take CO
12 west from Trinidad over Cucharas Pass and down
2.35 miles to Forest Road 422 leading to the Blue
Lake/Bear Lake Campgrounds. Continue four miles
to Trinchera Peak Road, aka FR 436, which lies adjacent
to Blue Lake campground. The campground is
open from Memorial Day at the end of May until
Labor Day in early September. Bear Lake campground
(1 mile further) is typically open until November.
Camping is available at Blue Lake
Campground at $13/night which includes the first
two vehicles. Third vehicles are an additional
$5/night unless it's a towed vehicle. Day use parking
fee is $5/day. If you park in a campsite for day
use, you must pay the $5 fee. At the start of the
trail (FR436) is a small area where you can park if
you decide to hike the almost eight-mile round trip,
or you can continue driving on what will be a moderate
4-wheel drive trail.
Once out of the treeline, the peak comes into
view. Continue up the switchbacks and past the old
mine to the saddle between Teddy's Peak and
Trinchera. This is where the trail ends and the scamble
up the rocks begins.
Trinchera offers stunning views of the San Luis
Valley, West Spanish Peak, and plenty of wildlife.
Wildflowers abound in the spring and early summer
months. Be cautious of the quick changes in weather