Overview
Trinchera Peak is the highest summit on public land in the Culebra Range, southwest of La Veta. You walk a well-kept 4WD road up past the North Fork trailhead, leave it near 12,100 feet, and climb through willows and gentle slopes to the east ridge and the summit.
It is Class 1 to 2, with 400 feet of steeper Class 2 on the upper ridge.
The round trip is about 6.5 miles with 3,025 feet of gain.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on the upper east ridge by 11 a.m.
Nothing hard.
Easy. Leave the road near 12,100 feet where you can get through the willows without much bushwhacking.
Very little above the trees. Bring what you need.
Getting to the trailhead
Blue Lakes (Cuchara)
From US 160 between Walsenburg and La Veta Pass, take Colorado 12 south 5 miles to La Veta and 12 more miles to Cuchara. Continue about 3.5 miles south and turn right on dirt Forest Road 422. After 4 miles, at Blue Lake Campground, turn left on Forest Road 436 and park in a marked spot just up the road.
Blue Lake and Bear Lake campgrounds are close, and there are a few dispersed sites along Forest Road 436.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Blue Lakes (Cuchara). Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →