Jump to content

Blanca Peak: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 37°34′38″N 105°29′09″W / 37.5772269°N 105.4858447°W / 37.5772269; -105.4858447
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 31 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Mountain in Colorado, United States}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Blanca Peak
| name = Blanca Peak
| other_name = {{spell-nv|Sisnaajiní}} {{Nv icon}}
| other_name = {{spell-nv|Sis Naajinį́}} {{in lang|nv}}
| photo = MtBlancaEast.jpg
| photo = MtBlancaEast.jpg
| photo_caption = View of Blanca Peak (left of center) from [[Mt. Lindsey]]
| photo_caption = View of Blanca Peak (left of center) from [[Mt. Lindsey]]
| elevation_system = NAVD88
| elevation_system = NAVD88
| elevation = 14,351 ft (4374 m)
| elevation = 14,351 ft (4374 m)
| elevation_ref = <ref name=PB>{{cite web|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=5921|title=Blanca Peak, Colorado|publisher=Peakbagger.com|accessdate=January 2, 2016}}</ref>
| elevation_ref = <ref name=PB>{{cite web|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=5921|title=Blanca Peak, Colorado|publisher=Peakbagger.com|access-date=January 2, 2016}}</ref>
| prominence = 5326 ft (1623 m)
| prominence = 5326 ft (1623 m)
| prominence_ref = <ref name=PB/>
| prominence_ref = <ref name=PB/>
| isolation = 103.4 mi (166.4 km)
| isolation = 103.4 mi (166.4 km)
| isolation_ref = <ref name=PB/>
| isolation_ref = <ref name=PB/>
| listing = {{unbulleted list
| listing = [[Ultra prominent peak]]<br/>[[Colorado 4000 meter summits]]<br/>[[Colorado fourteeners|Colorado Fourteener]]<br/>[[List of Colorado county high points|Colorado county high points]]
|[[List of the highest major summits of North America|North America highest peaks]] 33rd
|[[List of the highest major summits of the United States|US highest major peaks]] 19th
|[[List of the most prominent summits of the United States|US most prominent peaks]] 103rd
|[[List of the most isolated major summits of the United States|US most isolated peaks]] 49th
|[[List of the highest major summits of Colorado|Colorado highest major peaks]] 4th
|[[List of Colorado fourteeners|Colorado fourteeners]] 4th
|[[List of Colorado county high points|Colorado county high points]] 3rd
}}
| location = [[List of Colorado county high points|High point]] of both [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]] and [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla counties]], [[Colorado]], [[United States|US]]<ref name=PB/>
| location = [[List of Colorado county high points|High point]] of both [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]] and [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla counties]], [[Colorado]], [[United States|US]]<ref name=PB/>
| range = [[List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges|Highest summit]] of the<br/>[[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]],<br/>[[Sangre de Cristo Range]], and<br/>Sierra Blanca Massif<ref name=PB/>
| range = [[List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges|Highest summit]] of the<br>[[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]],<br>[[Sangre de Cristo Range]], and<br>Sierra Blanca Massif<ref name=PB/>
| map = Colorado
| map = Colorado
| coordinates = {{coord|37.5772269|N|105.4858447|W|type:mountain_region:US-CO_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| map_caption = '''[[Colorado]]'''
| range_coordinates =
| lat_d = 37.5772269
| coordinates_ref =<ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|id=192735|name=Blanca Peak|access-date=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
| long_d = -105.4858447
| topo = [[United States Geological Survey#Topographic mapping|USGS 7.5' topographic map]]<br>Blanca Peak, Colorado<ref name=GNIS/>
| region_code = US-CO
| coordinates_ref =<ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis|id=192735|name=Blanca Peak|accessdate=October 19, 2014}}</ref>
| topo = [[United States Geological Survey#Topographic mapping|USGS 7.5' topographic map]]<br/>Blanca Peak, Colorado<ref name=GNIS/>
| first_ascent = August 14, 1874 by the [[Wheeler Survey]] (first recorded)
| first_ascent = August 14, 1874 by the [[Wheeler Survey]] (first recorded)
| easiest_route = Northwest Face/North Ridge: [[scrambling|Scramble]] ([[Grade (climbing)|Class 2/easy Class 3]])
| easiest_route = Northwest Face/North Ridge: [[scrambling|Scramble]] ({{YDS|2}})<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.14ers.com/routelist.php?peakid=10004 | title = Blanca Peak Routes | publisher = 14ers.com }}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
Line 29: Line 36:
| photo_caption =
| photo_caption =
| elevation_ft = 14326
| elevation_ft = 14326
| elevation_ref =<ref name=NAVD88-2>The elevation of the Blanca Peak Tripoint includes an adjustment of +1.755&nbsp;m (+5.76&nbsp;ft) from [[Sea Level Datum of 1929|NGVD&nbsp;29]] to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988|NAVD&nbsp;88]].</ref><ref name=PB2>{{cite peakbagger|pid=5920|title=Blanca Peak-Northeast Slope, Colorado|accessdate=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_ref ={{efn|name=NAVD88-2|The elevation of the Blanca Peak Tripoint includes an adjustment of +1.755&nbsp;m (+5.76&nbsp;ft) from [[Sea Level Datum of 1929|NGVD&nbsp;29]] to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988|NAVD&nbsp;88]].}}<ref name=PB2>{{cite peakbagger|pid=5920|title=Blanca Peak-Northeast Slope, Colorado|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
| listing = [[Colorado county high points]]
| listing = [[Colorado county high points]]
| location = [[Tripoint]] of [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla]], and [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano counties]], [[Colorado]], [[United States|US]] [[List of Colorado county high points|High point]] of [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]].<ref name=PB2/>
| location = [[Tripoint]] of [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla]], and [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano counties]], [[Colorado]], [[United States|US]] [[List of Colorado county high points|High point]] of [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]].<ref name=PB2/>
| parent_peak = Blanca Peak<ref name=PB2/>
| parent_peak = Blanca Peak<ref name=PB2/>
| range_coordinates =
<!-- | lat_d = 37.577824 -->
| coordinates = {{coord|37.577824|-105.48541|region:US-CO|format=dms|display=inline}}
<!-- | long_d = -105.48541 -->
| region_code = US-CO
| coordinates = {{coord|37.577824|-105.48541|format=dms|display=inline}}
| coordinates_ref =<ref name=PB2/>
| coordinates_ref =<ref name=PB2/>
}}
}}


'''Blanca Peak''' is the [[List of mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains#Highest prominent summits|fourth highest summit]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]] of [[North America]] and the [[U.S. state]] of [[Colorado]]. The [[Ultra-prominent peak|ultra-prominent]] {{convert|14351|ft|m|0|adj=on}} peak is the [[List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges|highest summit]] of the Sierra Blanca Massif, the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]], and the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. The [[fourteener]] is located {{convert|15.5|km|order=flip}} north by east ([[Absolute bearing|bearing]] 9°) of the [[Blanca, Colorado|Town of Blanca]], on the [[drainage divide]] separating [[Rio Grande National Forest]] and [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa County]] from the [[Sangre de Cristo Land Grant]] and [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla County]]. The summit is the [[List of Colorado county high points|highest point]] of both counties and the entire [[drainage basin]] of the [[Rio Grande]]. Blanca Peak is higher than any point in the [[United States]] east of its [[longitude]].<ref name=NAVD88>The elevation of Blanca Peak includes an adjustment of +1.754&nbsp;m (+5.75&nbsp;ft) from [[Sea Level Datum of 1929|NGVD&nbsp;29]] to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988|NAVD&nbsp;88]].</ref><ref name=PB/><ref name=GNIS/>
'''Blanca Peak''' ([[Navajo language|Navajo]]: '''''Sis Naajinį́''''' meaning "black belted mountain";<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Harey |title=Mount Blanca (Sisnaajini) Navajo Sacred Mountain |url=https://navajopeople.org/blog/mount-blanca-sisnaajini-navajo-sacred-mountain/ |website=Navajo People}}</ref> [[Tewa language|Tewa]]: '''''Peeroradarath''';'' [[Ute dialect|Ute]]: '''''Pintsae'i'i''''') is the [[List of mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains#Highest prominent summits|fourth highest summit]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]] of [[North America]] and the [[U.S. state]] of [[Colorado]]. The [[Ultra-prominent peak|ultra-prominent]] {{convert|14351|ft|m|0|adj=on}} peak is the [[List of mountain ranges of Colorado#Mountain ranges|highest summit]] of the Sierra Blanca Massif, the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]], and the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. The [[fourteener]] is located {{convert|15.5|km|order=flip}} north by east ([[Absolute bearing|bearing]] 9°) of the [[Blanca, Colorado|Town of Blanca]], on the [[drainage divide]] separating [[Rio Grande National Forest]] and [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa County]] from the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant and [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla County]]. The summit is the [[List of Colorado county high points|highest point]] of both counties and the entire [[drainage basin]] of the [[Rio Grande]]. Below the steep North Face of Blanca Peak two live Glaciers once developed, until extinction sometime after 1903. North & South Blanca Glaciers were located at 37° 35N.,longitude 105° 28W. Blanca Peak is higher than any point in the [[United States]] east of its [[longitude]].{{efn|name=NAVD88|The elevation of Blanca Peak includes an adjustment of +1.754&nbsp;m (+5.75&nbsp;ft) from [[Sea Level Datum of 1929|NGVD&nbsp;29]] to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988|NAVD&nbsp;88]].}}<ref name=PB/><ref name=GNIS/><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Beeton |first1=Jared Maxwell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_-r5DwAAQBAJ&dq=%22pintsae%27i%27i%22&pg=PA324 |title=The Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley |last2=Saenz |first2=Charles Nicholas |last3=Waddell |first3=Benjamin James |date=2020-08-24 |publisher=University Press of Colorado |isbn=978-1-64642-040-7 |language=en}}</ref>


The '''Blanca Peak Tripoint''' of [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla]], and [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano counties]] is located on the same [[drainage divide]] approximately {{convert|251|ft|0}} northeast by north ([[Absolute bearing|bearing]] 30°) of the Blanca Peak summit at the boundary of the [[San Isabel National Forest]]. The Blanca Peak Tripoint is the [[List of Colorado county high points|highest point]] in Huerfano County.<ref name=PB2/>
The '''Blanca Peak Tripoint''' of [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla]], and [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano counties]] is located on the same [[drainage divide]] approximately {{convert|251|ft|0}} northeast by north ([[Absolute bearing|bearing]] 30°) of the Blanca Peak summit at the boundary of the [[San Isabel National Forest]]. The Blanca Peak Tripoint is the [[List of Colorado county high points|highest point]] in Huerfano County.<ref name=PB2/>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Blanca Peak is located at the southern end of the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]], a subrange of the more extensive [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]], and is the highest peak in both ranges. It lies approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}} [[east-northeast]] of the town of [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]]. Approximately {{convert|15|mi|km}} to the north-northwest is [[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]].
Blanca Peak is located at the southern end of the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]], a subrange of the more extensive [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]], and is the highest peak in both ranges. It lies approximately {{convert|20|mi|km}} [[east-northeast]] of the town of [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]]. Approximately {{convert|15|mi|km}} to the north-northwest is [[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]].


Blanca Peak is notable not only for its absolute height, but also for its great local relief and dominant position at the end of the range, rising high above the [[San Luis Valley]] to the west. For example, it rises nearly {{convert|7000|ft|m}} over the edge of the San Luis Valley in only {{convert|6|mi|km}}.<ref name="topozone">[http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=37.5772&lon=-105.4853&s=200&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG Blanca Peak on TopoQuest]</ref>
Blanca Peak is notable not only for its absolute height, but also for its great local relief and dominant position at the end of the range, rising high above the [[San Luis Valley]] to the west. For example, it rises nearly {{convert|7000|ft|m}} over the edge of the San Luis Valley in only {{convert|6|mi|km}}.<ref name="topozone">[http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=37.5772&lon=-105.4853&s=200&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG Blanca Peak on TopoQuest]</ref>
Blanca is also the third most [[topographic prominence|topographically prominent]] peak in Colorado; it is separated from the higher peaks in the [[Sawatch Range]] by relatively low [[Medano Pass]] at {{convert|9982|ft|m}}.
Blanca is also the third most [[topographic prominence|topographically prominent]] peak in Colorado; it is separated from the higher peaks in the [[Sawatch Range]] by relatively low [[Poncha Pass]] at {{convert|9019|ft|m}}.


Blanca Peak heads up three major creeks. Holbrook Creek is on the west, flowing from a basin including Crater Lake, Blue Lakes, and Como Lake. There is a class 2 route to the summit from Como Lake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blanca Peak - Northwest Ridge Route Description |url=https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=blan1 |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=14ers.com |language=en}}</ref>
Blanca Peak heads up three major creeks. Holbrook Creek is on the west, flowing from a basin including Crater Lake, Blue Lakes, and Como Lake. An extremely challenging [[four wheel drive]] road accesses Como Lake {{convert|11750|ft|m}}, and provides the most common access to Blanca Peak. Most vehicles stop at an elevation of between {{convert|8000|ft|m}} and {{convert|10000|ft|m}} on this road. The Como Lake Road is a designated Alamosa County Road and runs to the edge of the [[Sangre de Cristo Wilderness]] just short of Blue Lakes. The Como Lake Road is rated as the most challenging 4WD road in Colorado. The [[Huerfano River]] flows from the north side of Blanca Peak. A road, starting out as a two-wheel drive road, then becoming a four-wheel drive road (less challenging than the Como Lake Road), provides access to the [[rock climbing|technical climbing]] on the North Face of Blanca Peak. Blanca Creek drains Blanca Basin under the south slopes of the peak, and Little Ute Creek descends from the Winchell Lakes on the southeast side. However these are not used to access the peak due to private property.


An extremely challenging [[four wheel drive]] road accesses Como Lake {{convert|11750|ft|m}}, and provides the most frequently used access to Blanca Peak. Most vehicles stop at an elevation of between {{convert|8000|ft|m}} and {{convert|10000|ft|m}} on this road. The Como Lake Road is a designated Alamosa County Road and runs to the edge of the [[Sangre de Cristo Wilderness]] just short of Blue Lakes. The Como Lake Road is rated as the most challenging 4WD road in Colorado. The [[Huerfano River]] flows from the north side of Blanca Peak. A road, starting out as a two-wheel drive road, then becoming a four-wheel drive road (less challenging than the Como Lake Road), provides access to the [[rock climbing|technical climbing]] on the North Face of Blanca Peak. Blanca Creek drains Blanca Basin under the south slopes of the peak, and Little Ute Creek descends from the Winchell Lakes on the southeast side. However these are not used to access the peak due to private property.
Three other fourteeners are nearby: [[Mount Lindsey]] to the east, [[Ellingwood Point]] to the north and [[Little Bear Peak]] to the southwest. Ellingwood Point is connected to Blanca by a short, high ridge, and is often climbed in conjunction with Blanca. Little Bear also has a high connecting ridge to Blanca, but it is a [[rock climbing|technical]] traverse, only recommended for highly experienced parties.<ref name="dawson">Louis W. Dawson II, ''Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volume 2'', Blue Clover Press, 1996, ISBN 0-9628867-2-6</ref>

Three other fourteeners are nearby: [[Mount Lindsey]] to the east, [[Ellingwood Point]] to the north and [[Little Bear Peak]] to the southwest. Ellingwood Point is connected to Blanca by a short, high ridge, and is often climbed in conjunction with Blanca. Little Bear also has a high connecting ridge to Blanca, but it is a [[rock climbing|technical]] traverse, only recommended for highly experienced parties.<ref name="dawson">Louis W. Dawson II, ''Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volume 2'', Blue Clover Press, 1996, {{ISBN|0-9628867-2-6}}</ref>
[[File:Smith Reservoir.JPG|275px|thumb|The peak viewed from [[Smith Reservoir (Costilla County, Colorado)|Smith Reservoir]], south of [[Blanca, Colorado|Blanca]]]]

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Blanca Peak 37.5747 N, 105.4827 W, Elevation: {{cvt|13478|ft}} (1991–2020 normals)
|single line = y

|Jan high F = 24.1
|Feb high F = 23.8
|Mar high F = 28.6
|Apr high F = 34.2
|May high F = 42.8
|Jun high F = 54.3
|Jul high F = 58.5
|Aug high F = 56.3
|Sep high F = 50.8
|Oct high F = 41.1
|Nov high F = 30.9
|Dec high F = 24.7

|Jan mean F = 12.1
|Feb mean F = 11.5
|Mar mean F = 15.8
|Apr mean F = 20.9
|May mean F = 29.5
|Jun mean F = 39.8
|Jul mean F = 44.4
|Aug mean F = 42.9
|Sep mean F = 37.5
|Oct mean F = 28.3
|Nov mean F = 19.4
|Dec mean F = 13.0

|Jan low F = 0.1
|Feb low F = -0.8
|Mar low F = 3.0
|Apr low F = 7.6
|May low F = 16.2
|Jun low F = 25.4
|Jul low F = 30.3
|Aug low F = 29.6
|Sep low F = 24.1
|Oct low F = 15.5
|Nov low F = 7.9
|Dec low F = 1.3

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.23
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.38
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.72
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.81
|May precipitation inch = 2.87
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.63
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.40
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.72
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.52
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.48
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.37
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.44

|source=PRISM Climate Group<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/
|title= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|publisher= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|access-date= October 9, 2023
|quote= To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking ''Coordinates'' (under ''Location''); copy ''Latitude'' and ''Longitude figures'' from top of table; click ''Zoom to location''; click ''Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp''; click ''30-year normals, 1991-2020''; click ''800m''; click ''Retrieve Time Series'' button.}}</ref>
}}


==Geology==
==Geology==
Line 58: Line 132:


==History==
==History==
Blanca Peak is known to the [[Navajo people]] as the Sacred Mountain of the East: ''{{spell-nv|Sisnaajiní}}''<ref name="mcpherson">Robert S. McPherson, ''Sacred Land, Sacred View: Navajo perceptions of the Four Corners Region'', [[Brigham Young University]], ISBN 1-56085-008-6.</ref> (or ''Tsisnaasjiní''<ref name="sacred">[http://www.lapahie.com/Sacred_Mts.cfm Lapahie.com]</ref>), the Dawn or White Shell Mountain. The mountain is considered to be the eastern boundary of the [[Dinetah]], the traditional Navajo homeland. It is associated with the color white, and is said to be covered in daylight and dawn and fastened to the ground with lightning. It is gendered male.<ref name="mcpherson"/>
Blanca Peak is known to the [[Navajo people]] as the Sacred Mountain of the East: ''{{spell-nv|Sisnaajiní}}''<ref name="mcpherson">Robert S. McPherson, ''Sacred Land, Sacred View: Navajo perceptions of the Four Corners Region'', [[Brigham Young University]], {{ISBN|1-56085-008-6}}.</ref> (or ''Tsisnaasjiní''<ref name="sacred">[http://www.lapahie.com/Sacred_Mts.cfm Lapahie.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060814180907/http://www.lapahie.com/Sacred_Mts.cfm |date=August 14, 2006 }}</ref>), the Dawn or White Shell Mountain. The mountain is considered to be the eastern boundary of the [[Dinetah]], the traditional Navajo homeland. It is associated with the color white, and is said to be covered in daylight and dawn and fastened to the ground with lightning. It is gendered male.<ref name="mcpherson"/>


Summitpost notes that "the first recorded ascent of Blanca by the [[Wheeler Survey]] was recorded on August 14, 1874, but to their surprise they found evidence of a stone structure possibly built by [[Ute Tribe|Ute Indians]] or wandering [[New Spain|Spaniards]]."<ref name="summitpost">{{cite summitpost |id=150450 |name=Blanca Peak on Summitpost |accessdate=2011-05-07}}</ref>
Summitpost notes that "the first recorded ascent of Blanca by the [[Wheeler Survey]] was recorded on August 14, 1874, but to their surprise they found evidence of a stone structure possibly built by [[Ute Tribe|Ute Indians]] or wandering [[New Spain|Spaniards]]."<ref name="summitpost">{{cite summitpost |id=150450 |name=Blanca Peak on Summitpost |access-date=2011-05-07}}</ref>


==Historical names==
==Historical names==
*'''Blanca Peak''' <ref name=GNIS/>
*'''Blanca Peak''' <ref name=GNIS/>
*Dziłnałjin ([[Jicarilla language|Jicarilla Apache]])<ref name=":0" />
*Mount Blanca
*Mount Blanca
*Peeroradarath (Tewa)
*Pintsae'i'i (Ute)
*Sierra Blanca Peak
*Sierra Blanca Peak
*Sierra Blanco
*Sierra Blanca
*Sisnaajiní
*Sisnaajiní (Diné)
{{clear}}
{{Clear}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|North America|United States|Colorado|Mountains}}
{{Portal|North America|United States|Colorado|Mountains}}
*[[List of mountain peaks of North America]]
*[[List of mountain peaks of North America]]
**[[List of mountain peaks of the United States]]
**[[List of mountain peaks of the United States]]
Line 78: Line 155:
****[[List of Colorado fourteeners]]
****[[List of Colorado fourteeners]]
*[[List of Ultras of the United States]]
*[[List of Ultras of the United States]]
{{clear}}
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{sister project links}}
{{sister project links}}
*[http://www.thecohiker.com/colorado-hiking-trails/colorado-mountains-south/blanca-peak Blanca Peak at The Colorado Hiker]
*[https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/14er.php?peakid=10004 Blanca Peak on 14ers.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150302010143/http://www.thecohiker.com/colorado-hiking-trails/colorado-mountains-south/blanca-peak Blanca Peak at The Colorado Hiker]
*[http://stereopan.com/129900 High resolution zoomable panorama of Blanca Peak]
*[http://stereopan.com/129900 High resolution zoomable panorama of Blanca Peak]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}


{{Mountains of Colorado}}
{{NA highest}}
{{NA highest}}
{{Colorado highest}}
{{Colorado highest}}
{{Colorado Fourteeners}}
{{Colorado Fourteeners}}
{{Colorado}}
{{Colorado}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Mountains of Colorado]]
[[Category:Mountains of Colorado]]
Line 101: Line 184:
[[Category:Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]
[[Category:Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]
[[Category:Fourteeners of Colorado]]
[[Category:Fourteeners of Colorado]]
[[Category:North American 4000 m summits]]
[[Category:Four-thousanders of the United States]]
[[Category:Sacred mountains]]
[[Category:Sacred mountains of the Americas]]
[[Category:Religious places of the indigenous peoples of North America]]
[[Category:Religious places of the Indigenous peoples of North America]]

Latest revision as of 21:28, 7 December 2024

Blanca Peak
Sis Naajinį́ (in Navajo)
View of Blanca Peak (left of center) from Mt. Lindsey
Highest point
Elevation14,351 ft (4374 m)[1]
NAVD88
Prominence5326 ft (1623 m)[1]
Isolation103.4 mi (166.4 km)[1]
Listing
Coordinates37°34′38″N 105°29′09″W / 37.5772269°N 105.4858447°W / 37.5772269; -105.4858447[2]
Geography
Parent rangeHighest summit of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains,
Sangre de Cristo Range, and
Sierra Blanca Massif[1]
Topo map(s)USGS 7.5' topographic map
Blanca Peak, Colorado[2]
Climbing
First ascentAugust 14, 1874 by the Wheeler Survey (first recorded)
Easiest routeNorthwest Face/North Ridge: Scramble (class 2)[3]
Blanca Peak Tripoint
Map
Highest point
Elevation14,326 ft (4,367 m)[a][4]
Parent peakBlanca Peak[4]
ListingColorado county high points
Coordinates37°34′40″N 105°29′07″W / 37.577824°N 105.48541°W / 37.577824; -105.48541[4]
Geography
LocationTripoint of Alamosa, Costilla, and Huerfano counties, Colorado, US High point of Huerfano County.[4]

Blanca Peak (Navajo: Sis Naajinį́ meaning "black belted mountain";[5] Tewa: Peeroradarath; Ute: Pintsae'i'i) is the fourth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. state of Colorado. The ultra-prominent 14,351-foot (4,374 m) peak is the highest summit of the Sierra Blanca Massif, the Sangre de Cristo Range, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The fourteener is located 9.6 miles (15.5 km) north by east (bearing 9°) of the Town of Blanca, on the drainage divide separating Rio Grande National Forest and Alamosa County from the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant and Costilla County. The summit is the highest point of both counties and the entire drainage basin of the Rio Grande. Below the steep North Face of Blanca Peak two live Glaciers once developed, until extinction sometime after 1903. North & South Blanca Glaciers were located at 37° 35N.,longitude 105° 28W. Blanca Peak is higher than any point in the United States east of its longitude.[b][1][2][6]

The Blanca Peak Tripoint of Alamosa, Costilla, and Huerfano counties is located on the same drainage divide approximately 251 feet (77 m) northeast by north (bearing 30°) of the Blanca Peak summit at the boundary of the San Isabel National Forest. The Blanca Peak Tripoint is the highest point in Huerfano County.[4]

Geography

[edit]

Blanca Peak is located at the southern end of the Sangre de Cristo Range, a subrange of the more extensive Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and is the highest peak in both ranges. It lies approximately 20 miles (32 km) east-northeast of the town of Alamosa. Approximately 15 miles (24 km) to the north-northwest is Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Blanca Peak is notable not only for its absolute height, but also for its great local relief and dominant position at the end of the range, rising high above the San Luis Valley to the west. For example, it rises nearly 7,000 feet (2,100 m) over the edge of the San Luis Valley in only 6 miles (9.7 km).[7] Blanca is also the third most topographically prominent peak in Colorado; it is separated from the higher peaks in the Sawatch Range by relatively low Poncha Pass at 9,019 feet (2,749 m).

Blanca Peak heads up three major creeks. Holbrook Creek is on the west, flowing from a basin including Crater Lake, Blue Lakes, and Como Lake. There is a class 2 route to the summit from Como Lake.[8]

An extremely challenging four wheel drive road accesses Como Lake 11,750 feet (3,580 m), and provides the most frequently used access to Blanca Peak. Most vehicles stop at an elevation of between 8,000 feet (2,400 m) and 10,000 feet (3,000 m) on this road. The Como Lake Road is a designated Alamosa County Road and runs to the edge of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness just short of Blue Lakes. The Como Lake Road is rated as the most challenging 4WD road in Colorado. The Huerfano River flows from the north side of Blanca Peak. A road, starting out as a two-wheel drive road, then becoming a four-wheel drive road (less challenging than the Como Lake Road), provides access to the technical climbing on the North Face of Blanca Peak. Blanca Creek drains Blanca Basin under the south slopes of the peak, and Little Ute Creek descends from the Winchell Lakes on the southeast side. However these are not used to access the peak due to private property.

Three other fourteeners are nearby: Mount Lindsey to the east, Ellingwood Point to the north and Little Bear Peak to the southwest. Ellingwood Point is connected to Blanca by a short, high ridge, and is often climbed in conjunction with Blanca. Little Bear also has a high connecting ridge to Blanca, but it is a technical traverse, only recommended for highly experienced parties.[9]

The peak viewed from Smith Reservoir, south of Blanca

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Blanca Peak 37.5747 N, 105.4827 W, Elevation: 13,478 ft (4,108 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 24.1
(−4.4) 		23.8
(−4.6) 		28.6
(−1.9) 		34.2
(1.2) 		42.8
(6.0) 		54.3
(12.4) 		58.5
(14.7) 		56.3
(13.5) 		50.8
(10.4) 		41.1
(5.1) 		30.9
(−0.6) 		24.7
(−4.1) 		39.2
(4.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 12.1
(−11.1) 		11.5
(−11.4) 		15.8
(−9.0) 		20.9
(−6.2) 		29.5
(−1.4) 		39.8
(4.3) 		44.4
(6.9) 		42.9
(6.1) 		37.5
(3.1) 		28.3
(−2.1) 		19.4
(−7.0) 		13.0
(−10.6) 		26.3
(−3.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 0.1
(−17.7) 		−0.8
(−18.2) 		3.0
(−16.1) 		7.6
(−13.6) 		16.2
(−8.8) 		25.4
(−3.7) 		30.3
(−0.9) 		29.6
(−1.3) 		24.1
(−4.4) 		15.5
(−9.2) 		7.9
(−13.4) 		1.3
(−17.1) 		13.4
(−10.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.23
(57) 		2.38
(60) 		3.72
(94) 		3.81
(97) 		2.87
(73) 		1.63
(41) 		4.40
(112) 		3.72
(94) 		2.52
(64) 		2.48
(63) 		2.37
(60) 		2.44
(62) 		34.57
(877)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[10]

Geology

[edit]

The granite that makes up the Blanca massif is pre-Cambrian in age, dated at approximately 1.8 billion years old. The major part of the Wet Mountains to the east and the Front Range to the northeast are also pre-Cambrian, also about 1.8 billion years old. In contrast, the Sangre de Cristo Range to the north and the Culebra Range to the south are Permian rock between 250 and 300 million years old.

History

[edit]

Blanca Peak is known to the Navajo people as the Sacred Mountain of the East: Sisnaajiní[11] (or Tsisnaasjiní[12]), the Dawn or White Shell Mountain. The mountain is considered to be the eastern boundary of the Dinetah, the traditional Navajo homeland. It is associated with the color white, and is said to be covered in daylight and dawn and fastened to the ground with lightning. It is gendered male.[11]

Summitpost notes that "the first recorded ascent of Blanca by the Wheeler Survey was recorded on August 14, 1874, but to their surprise they found evidence of a stone structure possibly built by Ute Indians or wandering Spaniards."[13]

Historical names

[edit]
  • Blanca Peak [2]
  • Dziłnałjin (Jicarilla Apache)[6]
  • Mount Blanca
  • Peeroradarath (Tewa)
  • Pintsae'i'i (Ute)
  • Sierra Blanca Peak
  • Sierra Blanca
  • Sisnaajiní (Diné)

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The elevation of the Blanca Peak Tripoint includes an adjustment of +1.755 m (+5.76 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  2. ^ The elevation of Blanca Peak includes an adjustment of +1.754 m (+5.75 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Blanca Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Blanca Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  3. ^ "Blanca Peak Routes". 14ers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Blanca Peak-Northeast Slope, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  5. ^ Carey, Harey. "Mount Blanca (Sisnaajini) Navajo Sacred Mountain". Navajo People.
  6. ^ a b Beeton, Jared Maxwell; Saenz, Charles Nicholas; Waddell, Benjamin James (2020-08-24). The Geology, Ecology, and Human History of the San Luis Valley. University Press of Colorado. ISBN 978-1-64642-040-7.
  7. ^ Blanca Peak on TopoQuest
  8. ^ "Blanca Peak - Northwest Ridge Route Description". 14ers.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  9. ^ Louis W. Dawson II, Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volume 2, Blue Clover Press, 1996, ISBN 0-9628867-2-6
  10. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 9, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.
  11. ^ a b Robert S. McPherson, Sacred Land, Sacred View: Navajo perceptions of the Four Corners Region, Brigham Young University, ISBN 1-56085-008-6.
  12. ^ Lapahie.com Archived August 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Blanca Peak on Summitpost". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Blanca_Peak&oldid=1261763833"