La Plata Peak - Northwest Ridge
4.4 mi
Distance
1 hrs 42 min
Time
terrain
4,181 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult one way trail to La Plata Peak in San Isabel National Forest.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Public Tracks
La Plata Peak (9/2/19, 06:59:57)
-first Colorado 14er
-up after 5, driving away from Bobby’s at 545
-parking almost already full by 640 when I get to trailhead, which is past Twin Lakes on the road up to Independence Pass
-start walking just after 7am
-first section pretty flat, crossing stream a few times, through wooded area and aspens
-starts uphill, first 1000 ft of climbing. Passing many groups who started ahead of me
-flat section that is next to stream and in beautiful valley
-then trail gets really steep, climbing lots of switchbacks. Over 1000 more v ft
-ascend up onto the ridge, where path becomes a bit harder to follow, rock scrambling necessary
-trail continues up on ridge, semi rock scrambling. Eventually get to the top
-spend 90 minutes having a big lunch, CTC, trail mix, pb/honey tortillas. Beautiful panoramic views
-people that I passed arrived up after me
-2:35 from start to peak. 4.3k uphill
-ran lots of sections on the downhill
-had to go poop so bad, barely made it to the trailhead
-Labor Day, so kinda busy
La Plata Peak
<div style='width:200px;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:5px;'>Northwest Ridge<br><br><a target='_blank' href='http://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=lapl1&peak=La+Plata+Peak'>View Route Description</a><br><br></div>
Mt La Plata Peak North Trail Colorado
Day hike to summit and back. Beautiful weather, not thunderstorms around. Only encountered 3 other people on hike.
