Blanks Gulch Trailhead

This was an exceptionally difficult “easy” 14 er. The trailhead has access to the Colorado Trail as well as the trail to Shavano and Tabeguache peaks, both about 14000 feet. Generally speaking, the trail to the peaks doesn’t require any advanced climbing skills, this is not a trail for a newbie. We had done 13 others before tackling this pair, and it was the most difficult day hike to date. Imagine the hardest part of every hike you’ve done and this trail has it all. 4500 vertical feet to the top of Shavano in 4.5 miles. As soon as you start, you are going up at a rapid rate. Don’t forget, it can be just as difficult coming down, and it was for us. You have several miles in the trees which is nice, then a mile or so in the open prairie, then comes tackling the beast of Shavano. She is tough and the trail is only partially with you to the peak, don’t be afraid to just stay high and climb the boulders.nnFrom the peak of Shavano to Tabeguache, stay high! When you see those daunting mini peaks, stay close to them! We got tricked up and ended up going way down to the right and then had to hook left and around to the path over to Tab. There isn’t a great clear rout up to the peak of Tab. Again, find the peak and pretty much just go straight for it.nnWatch out for weather. We started the hike at 600am and finished the hike at 300p. The descent was about 2 hours longer than we expected due to a knee injury.nnDef not for the newbie or faint of heart. These two peaks will take it out of you. Worth every second though.