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Colorado 14ers: La Plata Peak
Trek up sparsely-covered slopes and a broad talus ridge in the
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 3.57 mi |
| Difficulty: | 8 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
-Mapped by Timm Paxson
TO TRAILHEAD: From Leadville take US 24 S for 20 mi. Turn R onto CR 390/Clear Creek Canyon Rd. Go 11.8 mi. to Winfield and bear R @ T onto CR 390A. Go .6 mi. and park on L side of road.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
La Plata Peak
| Distance: 3.57 mi | Points: 248 |
La Plata Peak via West Winfield Trailhead
Points of Interest
Ellingwood Ridge
Location: 39.029488, -106.473000Views to the east of the Ellingwood Ridge as it joins the summit of La Plata. ©Timm Paxson
Final summit push
Location: 39.024921, -106.479744©Timm Paxson
La Plata's summit views
Location: 39.029419, -106.473000Crystal Lake can be seen to the southeast. ©Timm Paxson
Northern summit views
Location: 39.029488, -106.473000Mounts Elbert and Massive rise to the north. Ellingwood Ridge is visible in the foreground running from center to right. ©Timm Paxson
Rocky ridges
Location: 39.008499, -106.481247The trail eventually climbs to the lowest part of the ridge in the middle of the photo. ©Timm Paxson
Saddle views
Location: 39.013680, -106.487717From the saddle looking south. In the distance you can see Huron Peak and the Three Apostles. ©Timm Paxson
Southwest views of La Plata's broad ridge
Location: 39.017361, -106.484451©Timm Paxson
Tundra views
Location: 39.009727, -106.481995Jagged ridges can be seen from the tundra meadow below La Plata's southwest face. ©Timm Paxson
Views from the trail
Location: 39.002846, -106.480225The trail climbs into this valley, which is southwest of La Plata. ©Timm Paxson
Views near the trailhead
Location: 38.993713, -106.471367©Timm Paxson
Valley views
Location: 39.014225, -106.487991Looking south down into the small valley from the top of the saddle. ©Timm Paxson
PLA001
Location: 38.993919, -106.471436From 4WD parking area, head N toward the trailhead
PLA002
Location: 38.994522, -106.471291From the trailhead, follow trail as it curves to the NW across evergreen-covered slopes; in 200 ft., cross a stream
PLA003
Location: 38.997154, -106.475410Continue NW ascent from the North Fork of the Clear Creek into a smaller valley nestled under steep, rocky slopes; a stream trickles down on L
PLA004
Location: 39.002907, -106.480186Climb N into the upper valley; dirt trail leads you through open, grassy slopes spotted with boulders
PLA005
Location: 39.010258, -106.482628Stream crossing; continue NW
PLA006
Location: 39.011753, -106.483856Steady legs for steep climb to the NW over rocky slopes
PLA007
Location: 39.014252, -106.487923Turn R on La Plata's broad SW ridge; begin climb through alpine tundra
PLA008
Location: 39.017765, -106.483833Pass 13,000 ft. and continue NE
PLA009
Location: 39.021587, -106.481590Head N
PLA010
Location: 39.026608, -106.478821Pass 14,000 ft.; cairns mark the route for final summit push over loose rock to the summit
PLA011
Location: 39.029366, -106.473694Head E from false summit
PLA012
Location: 39.029469, -106.472954La Plata Peak (14,336 ft.): Take in views of the Sawatch Range from Colorado's 5th highest peak; Missouri Mtn., Mt. Belford and Mt. Oxford rise to the SE; Twin Lakes Reservoir lies to the NE; retrace route
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