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This is a beautiful class 1 - 2 route up the 5th highest peak in Colorado.


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Map Key

9.4

Miles

15.1

KM

Out and Back

14,323' 4,366 m

High

10,125' 3,086 m

Low

4,276' 1,303 m

Up

4,276' 1,303 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

58%

Max Grade (30°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

You can make it to the La Plata Gulch Trailhead in Winter, .5 miles before the closure. Call the Lake County Sheriff to confirm. If in Winter you'll need to do winter variation to avoid avalanche risk.

Overview

This is a wonderful path to the fifth highest 14er in the state that will take you over/along mountain brooks, through a forest, and along wildflower filled alpine and to outstanding views, all on a very well made path. There is a small amount of scrambling at the top, but nothing more than Class 2, making it a very accessible 14er. It follows the La Plata Peak Trail #1474 and is sometimes called the Northwest Ridge route on La Plata.

Need to Know

Like all 14er trails in Colorado you'll be above treeline for a long time so wear sunscreen and be very mindful of the weather. Storms typically arrive in the early afternoon so you'll want to get an early start.

Description

The trailhead and parking area for this trail are located on the south side of Colorado 82 about 14.5 miles west of 24. It is just a parking area along the side of the road is it is fairly easy to spot. From here, continue on the 82c forest road south for about a third of a mile. You'll get a nice view of La Plata's northwest ridge ridge from the bridge over the North Fork Lake Creek. Keep an eye out for the trail on the left (eastern) side of 82c. This is La Plata Peak Trail #1474 also called La Plata Gulch Trail.

The trail heads east through pine forest while crossing South Fork Lake Creek and a third creek. After the third creek the trail turns back south and starts up La Plata Gulch staying close to the creek. You'll get some nice views of the cascades in the creek and you continue through the forest steadily gaining elevation.

Eventually you'll exit the forest to get some nice views of the Valley and some of the first views of the summit in a while. The trail begins to move away from the creek towards the southeast and gets a little steeper. The patches of trees continue to thin out until you encounter the first set of switch backs. La Plata Trail has a few sets of switch backs that are almost humorous in number - please stay on the trail to prevent erosion of the delicate sub-alpine and alpine ecosystems! This first set of switch backs will quickly take you above tree line so keep this spot in mind for any changing weather. At this point the returns to heading south.

You'll come to another set of switch backs through rocky scree (but on a very nice trail) which take you to - that's right - more switch backs. There are amazing alpine flowers in summer along this whole section and numerous marmots, pika, and ptarmigans. At the top of the last set of switch backs you'll be on the ridge. Continue south along the fairly clear trail.

From the Plata Basin you'll enter the final stretch to the summit, which is the rockiest and might require a little use of hands for balance. This is pretty standard for the 14ers in the Sawatch Range and really nothing more than class two from my experience. For the most part the trail winds around any challenging parts - keep an eye for the worn path and cairns. The trail follows the ridge so it would be very difficult to get lost even if you lose the actual trail. Finally you'll reach the summit! Enjoy the amazing views which include Mt Elbert to the north and Mt Harvard to the south.

This is an out-and-back trail so just retrace your steps to get back to the trailhead.

History & Background

La Plata Peak is the fifth highest peak in Colorado at 14,360.

Contacts

Shared By:

Karl W with improvements by Russ Mckelvey and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 27 votes

#1

in Twin Lakes

#406

Overall
  4.7 from 27 votes
5 Star
78%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Twin Lakes

#86

in Colorado

#406

Overall
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6,503 Since Oct 12, 2016
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Photos

Sayres Mountain hides behind columbines in the early morning shade.
Feb 18, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO
La Plata offers awesome views of Mt. Elbert (center right) and Mt. Massive (1/4 left) on a beautiful, clear day.
Feb 18, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO
Beautiful flowers shelter among the rocks near the summit of La Plata.
Feb 18, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO
La Plata Peak summit view
Aug 1, 2018 near Leadvil…, CO
The objective is in sight! La Plata Peak Trail passes through some beautiful alpine meadows that are packed with flowers in the summer.
Feb 18, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO
La Plata Peak stands prominently in the distance from the bridge over North Fork Lake Creek just after the trailhead.
Feb 18, 2017 near Leadvil…, CO

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Jul 13, 2023
Atsuko Ohtake
Sep 13, 2022
Chris Ververis
Mar 15, 2022
Private User
Jun 12, 2021
Dan Shemon
Great hike with Andy and Arob! 9.5mi — 4h 30m
Jul 11, 2020
Zac Johnson
Jul 1, 2020
Robert Whalen
9.6mi — 6h 01m
Jun 27, 2020
Josh B
Jul 27, 2019
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