Started at about 10:30am right outside of blue lakes campground. The 4wd drive road is open only about 300 yards until you reach a barrier that says only vehicles 50 inches wide may proceed. All the trees have been removed from the road after the wind storm a couple years ago, and it looked like my Xterra could make it to the top but no big deal there is about 4 parking spots right in front of barrier.

After you get past the area of fallen trees it turns into a beautiful forest full of campsites. With the road closed to full size vehicles it is keeping most people down at the lower campsites near the lakes. I didn't see anybody the whole entire hike, I think I might come back and camp here this summer, maybe even hit the other 13ers I missed in the area

Making our way up the 4wd road that leads to the saddle between Trinchera Peak and a smaller mountain to the south. Unsure of the name. I read in previous posts that some people ditch the 4wd road and head up towards the SE slopes of Trinchera but we decided to stay on the road.

Looking back to one of my favorite mountains in the state, West Spanish Peak. I love this mountain; people often mention the amazement that settlers must have had when they first laid eyes on Pikes Peak after walking through the plain of Kansas, but I imagine for the lucky ones that came a little further south the prominence of the Spanish Peaks would be unmatched.

Looking toward the summit of Trinchera after reaching the top of the saddle and the end of the road. From here there is no trail. Don't let the gentle slopes fool you it was actually a decent scramble.

Looking towards the false summit and the steeper than we thought route ahead of us.

Making our way up it was very windy. The forecast only called for 15mph, but I'd say it was about 50, I was struggling to stand up right. Also, it was colder than I excepted, about 50 degrees plus the winds chill had me wishing I brought my gloves. Haven't done a 13er or 14er in a while and forgot how cold it gets up there even when its 90 degrees down in the city.

There was one section that required a little bit of scrambling. I'd say almost class 3 but it only lasts for one tiny section then levels back out to flat easy-going slopes.

After the scramble it's a nice peaceful walk to the top. The views up here are amazing, and the flowers were popping. Lots of Butterflys, ladybugs and marmots.

Made it to the summit and was greeted by some massive cairns. A very flat summit perfect for relaxing and having a snack, not to mention the wind finally died down when we reached the top. There is a directory up there and to my surprise it looks like 6 or 7 people have made the journey this year. These 13ers rarely are climbed so I was hoping to be the first name of the season. There is also a stone craved up there from a summit party in 1925 lead by Rev Ramme. It was cool knowing that we were climbing exactly 100 years after what might have been the first summit of this mountain.

I read in previous trip reports that a herd of elk hang around these mountains and we were lucky enough to see them. On the way up the road, we saw a couple walking above on the saddle, so I knew the herd had to be close. When we reached the summit, we spotted them down below on the south side of Trinchera between us and Leaning south Peak.

West Spanish peak from the summit, I never get tired of looking at this mountain. I probably took 50 pictures of it on the way up.

Another beautiful mountain conquered, I love 13ers because of the seclusion. Don't get me wrong I also love 14ers but there is something magical about being the only people on the mountain, all alone in the remote mountains without another human in sight. A vastly different feeling compared to hiking in a single file line up Mount bierstadt on a summer day.

Amazing views of Blanca Peak, Mt Lindsey and Little bear. You also had a great view of the Crestones but my phone camera didn't do it justice.

Looking towards leaning south, Leaning north and Cuatro Peak. You could definitely bag all 4 of these mountains in a day I just wasn't prepared enough and after a long layoff from hiking my legs were cooked. I think when I come back, I will try and find another entry point so I can skip Trinchera and just do the leaning Peaks and Cuatro. I couldn't find much info on these mountains so if anyone knows another trailhead I could start from to avoid summiting Trinchera again I would very much appreciate it.

Looking south towards Culebra. I love this area of Colorado, the forgotten front range. The New Mexico/Colorado border is one of the strangest places I've been to in this country. It feels ancient and mysterious; I can't help but thinking this would be the prime place to see some sort of unexplainable phenomenon like UFOs or bigfoot. I'm really debating about sleeping on one of these 13ers next time I come (don't know if that's legal) to hopefully get abducted or maybe learn the secrets of the universe from a wise old bigfoot.

After eating some chips and admiring the view we headed down the southeast ridge instead of the way we previously came. There is a very faint trail that leads towards the 4wd road near the tree line. I wouldn't suggest this way even though it probably saves 1 mile roundtrip. It is very steep, loose rock and rough on the knees. Also, wouldn't recommend this route on the way up. When we got back down the road, I saw a cairn that directed you when to leave the road and head up the grassy southeast slopes toward the summit, the trail is very faint and easy to miss. If you want to save 1 mile then go for it but honestly the north ridge is a lot more enjoyable.

All in all, it was about 8 miles, 3100 feet elevation gain and 6 hours round trip. A good 4th of July spent above tree line. Thank you mother nature