blanca Peak - jeep Wrangler On Uphill Slope - Photo 8483416

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Paul Caskey was the "little dog" of the group with 33-inch tires and only one solid locker. Careful coaching and good driving skills made up for the deficit in size and equipment. Thirty-five-inch tires and a pair of lockers creates more chance for success on Blanca Peak.

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The drivers checked out Jaws 1. The exposed granite bones of Blanca Peak provide most of the challenge along the Lake Como Road.

Pat Brady of the New Mexico 4-Wheelers eased his Ford-powered YJ shod with 37-inch tires up and over the slick offending fin of Jaws 1.

Leon Duggar eased his fully custom early-Ford pony up Jaws 1. The typical technique is to drive until the skidplate touches and then turn downhill and let gravity pull you off. Sometimes it even works.

The author idled his venerable Scrambler (yes, Project Too Long still hits the trails!) toward Jaws 2. A bounce sideways to the left is not as hazardous as in times past, as the adopting club has shored up the edge of the road to increase the size of the "landing zone." Care is still required as a bad bounce can be fatal.

The upper zones of the Lake Como Road traverse the giant, steeply sloping pile of granite that we know as the Blanca Massif.

There are several possible lines through the granite difficulties of Jaws 2.5. Some lines are much easier to execute when the rock is dry and sufficient traction is available.There are several possible lines through the granite difficulties of Jaws 2.5. Some lines are much easier to execute when the rock is dry and sufficient traction is available.

Brandon Roby slid his truck through Jaws 2.5. The heavily modified Toy' sports 37-inch tires and more than a few "love marks" from previous encounters of the mineral type.

With Jaws 3 much easier than a decade ago, the series of ledges and rocks in the road above provides most of the remaining challenge. The bypass doesn't include this area, so everyone must scale the off-camber rocks.

Paul Caskey was the "little dog" of the group with 33-inch tires and only one solid locker. Careful coaching and good driving skills made up for the deficit in size and equipment. Thirty-five-inch tires and a pair of lockers creates more chance for success on Blanca Peak.

Leon Duggar crossed it up while dancing on the ledges above Jaws 3. Dry conditions and low gears allowed everyone to slowly ease up most obstacles.

The area below Lake Como is a vast slope of light-colored granite that is hurtling (geologically speaking) downward as the mountain erodes.

The view across Lake Como from the campsite was simply stunning. The slopes of Little Bear just beyond the lake can be intimidating to the climber intending to ascend them.

There are great vehicle-size campsites nestled among the trees around the west side of Lake Como. There are additional campsites south and east of the lake, but they are generally used by the hikers and climbers.

Paul Caskey impressed us by skillfully and elegantly driving up Jaws 4. The rock is really steep, and staying far right is the key.

Once the route breaks free of the trees, an idyllic basin opens up. The two "bumps" on either side of the saddle are both 14,000-foot peaks: Ellingwood Point to the left and Blanca Peak to the right.

Lake Como Road above tree line is an easy, albeit slow, drive among the boulders and tundra of the alpine basin. The lack of challenge is a good thing, as the views can be totally mesmerizing.

Our five vehicles pose at the end of the road at Blue Lakes with the slopes of 14,345-foot Blanca Peak just beyond.

The annual pilgrimage fulfilled, the vehicles of the New Mexico 4-Wheelers start retracing their path down the mountain.

Jaws 4 is much easier to descend than to climb - something about gravity, we suspect.

The campsites at Lake Como offer an idyllic setting for relaxing after the climb (on the road or up the peaks) and contemplating why we love these places.

The setting sun painted delicate pastels on the slopes of Little Bear.

Leon Duggar eased his early Bronco down the sharp granite of Jaws 2.5.

Although the drop down Jaws 2 is considerably easier than the opposite direction, the rear end's dance toward the edge is a bit unnerving.

This photo offers some perspective on why the edge on Jaws 2 is so critical.

Unlike the other Jaws brethren, the author finds Jaws 1 substantially increases in difficulty in the downward direction. The long wheelbase of the Scrambler doesn't help, as it is all about breakover angle.

Skidplate contact, a sudden gut-wrenching slide down toward the drop-off, and we were skewered like a piece of meat. The trail trolls cackled gleefully while we meekly submitted to the tug from behind.

The camera angle adds perspective and helps explain why coming back over Jaws 1 can be a little disconcerting.