Venable to Comanche Loop

This challenging 11.5-mile loop climbs over 4,000 feet through the rugged Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, starting from the Venable Trailhead near Westcliffe, Colorado. Offering a classic high-altitude experience, the route traverses spectacular alpine basins, passes multiple pristine alpine lakes, and crosses a narrow cliffside ledge known as the Phantom Terrace. Beginning from the trailhead, the route climbs steadily alongside Comanche Creek on the Comanche Trail (Trail 746) through dense aspen and pine forests. After rising above the timberline, the trail reaches the scenic Comanche Lakes, nestled in a high glacial basin. A final steep climb leads to Comanche Pass at 12,786 feet, offering sweeping views of both the Wet Mountain Valley to the east and the San Luis Valley to the west. From Comanche Pass, the route heads north along the Phantom Terrace Trail (Trail 359). This segment contours around Spring Mountain to reach the Phantom Terrace, a narrow, exposed ledge carved directly into a sheer rock wall. After navigating this section, the trail connects with the Venable Trail (Trail 347) near the Venable Lakes. The descent follows Venable Creek down the drainage, passing a short spur trail to Venable Falls—a cascading waterfall tucked inside a narrow rocky canyon—before returning to the trailhead.