Peak Bagging and Long Distance Walking in the UK and Spain: Blanquilla

Walk Summary

On paper the 78km drive to the heart of Parque Natural de Las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas from Camping Rio de los Molinos, Silos seemed just a short trip, especially as more than half of this distance to the NW end of Embalse de Tranco de Beas on the A310 and A317 was just half an hour. However the remaining shorter part of the journey along the rural JH-7156 took a further 2 hours.

Following track which goes through a gorge
known as Cerrada de San Ginés

So a later than planned start setting off from the parking area 75m north of bridge over Arroyo de Las Aguascebas de la Cueva Del Agua on the JH-7156 just before 1pm, the first part of the route along the alternatively named Sendero Aguascebas de Gil Cobo takes you through the narrow gorge known as Cerrada de San Ginés.
The other side of the gorge reveals a junction and plenty of off road parking but to be honest it is a far better experience to discover Cerrada de San Ginés on foot. Continue left at the junction and after discovering it is too much of a bushwack to follow the Arroyo de Las Aguascebas de la Cueva Del Agua at the bridge look for an opportunity to break left off the track to rejoin the track higher up. This deteriorates to a rough path that eventually follows the Arroyo de Las Aguascebas until the path ends more or less where it ends on the map.

Trying to follow obvious gully to gain summit ridge
on the right

From here I cannot recommend the best route to gain the summit ridge. I followed the gully to the left but eventually gave up and broke off right to gain the ridge. There may well be a better route to the right where the path ends,. Once on the ridge the full extent of the Parque Natural de Las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas opens up ahead of you to the east towards the distinctive Sagra summit. Turn left along the ridge for an easy ascent to the 1766m spot height then on to Blanquilla summit and trig pillar perched on a distinctive nose.

Distinctive bulbous nose and trig pillar of Blanquillo
viewed from the south

Rather than return along the ascent route I decided to turn right at the col with the 1766m spot height. The ground ahead looked straight forward and the contours showed a weakness in the escarpment around the 1650m level. The descent naturally led to the left through sparse trees and eventually towards the weakness at the top of a gully where I found a faint path and more importantly a distinct cairn. Soon afterwards I came across a flat rock slope to the left which I was tempted to investigate. It quickly became precarious and was very soon committed in an exposed part of the slope.

Slope on dry waterfall which quickly became precarious.

Carefully shuffling on my backside with both boot soles flat, pointing down on the sloping rock, for maximum grip and fingertips finding the smallest of ridges, for more grip, I traversed to the right edge and following it to safer ground. Soon after regaining a little height and flatter ground rediscovered the vague path and another cairn on a tree stump, confirming I should perhaps have stayed right at the top of the waterfall. This refound path continued through sparse trees and over the next ridge could see the track known as Camino Cañada del Avellano, which would lead me back to Cerrada de San Ginés and thence back to van.

Refound cairns and faint path again. Take care not to lose
them to avoid precarious descent via dry waterfall.

After Almenara this was the second of what appeared to be a convenient group of six P600's in and around the wider area of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and La Sagra that could be picked off on journey south from Moncayo to the mountainous coastal strip in search of warmer, drier Autumn weather between Alicante and Gibraltar. Since returning home writing up these reports, it has occurred to me that it is not such a convenient grouping to be attempted all in one group. Perhaps these two western summits on the way down, picking up the four eastern summits starting with María on the journey home.

25 minutes after joining Camino Cañada del Avellano
now entering gorge known as Cerrada de San Ginés

The isolation of this start point was exemplified by the one hour drive to the nights campsite at Camping Cortijo San Isicó, Cazorla. A good base for an overnight stop or even longer, but too far from Morro del Buitre to use as a base for the planned next summit or alternatively and more sensible, Cerro Mágina to continue the journey south
Without doubt this was the most precarious experience of the trip that could have been avoided by retracing the ascent route. But a level of controlled jeopardy is a great focus for the mind and dare I say more fun.

Walk Statistics

Walk Date - 15 October 2018
Walkers - Steve Smith

Accommodation - Camping Cortijo San Isicó, Cazorla

Start Point - Parking area 75m north of bridge over Arroyo de Las Aguascebas de la Cueva Del Agua on the JH-7156 (N38°04'43" W2°53'51")
Start Time - 13:56

Finish Point - Parking area 75m north of bridge over Arroyo de Las Aguascebas de la Cueva Del Agua on the JH-7156 (N38°04'43" W2°53'51")

Finish Time- 17:40

Total Duration - 3hrs 44mins
Overall Average pace - 1.63mph
Total Distance Walked - 6.10 miles
Total Height Ascended - 664.00metres

Peaks visited

Spain/Portugal 600m Prominence Peaks (168S - 185S&P - 2165E)

Blanquilla (30S - 31S&P - 60E)

Spain/Portugal 300m - 599m Prominence Peaks (1000+)

NONE

Spain/Portugal 150m - 299m Prominence Peaks (3000+)

NONE

Spain Autonomous Community High Points (19)

NONE