This was my first 14er and I’m still soaking it all in. The hike was an absolute grind. There’s still some snow around 13,600+. Post holing by 11am so took the rocks instead. Lots of loose rock between the saddle and tree line to slip on descending. Trekking poles probably saved me from SAR and 5 o’clock news.
The views were incredible. Saw a bunch of lively, cute critters I’ve never seen before. Tons of wild flowers along the trail.
All around great experience but I’m glad it’s over. La Plata is doable as a beginner, but I’d recommend something easier first.
★
★
★
★
★
We rode our mules on this trail, the first 1.3 miles was along side a winding hill with breathtaking views. But all in the wide open. Once we hit the semi wooded trail it was a bit narrow for my liking and all sandy and dusty. But once at the top it was very pretty.
★
★
★
Great snowshoe hike. Beautiful scenery and so peaceful. Trail was difficult to find above 11500. Snow cover was around 6-7 feet at altitude
★
★
★
★
★
Round 2 of a week adventure on the CT with my girls. Most beautiful hike of your life.
★
★
★
★
★
Not for the faint of heart. Prepare heavily beforehand. Early summer will require traction of some kind. With that said, the views are incredible. “6-8 hours estimated” seems very fast. We had one in our party experience complications on the way down with altitude sickness. Took 12 hours as a result. Plan accordingly
★
★
★
★
★
Hiked toward Grizzly Lake, was stopped by snow, though spectacular scenery. Creek had lots of water, so crossing creek beyond snow might have been challenging anyway. Figure creek filled with fast snow melt as it’s turned warm
★
★
★
★
★
Started at 5am, set up camp along the way and summit red at 12pmish
★
★
★
Gorgeous out and back up to grizzly lake. Hiked in early October and turned back when the snow got too deep, about half mile from the lake.
★
★
★
★
★
Finally the road to Harvard/ Columbia is good enough to drive my civic on.. thank you all the hands that created this amazing trail. Beautiful rocks steps to ascents. Great weather until 3 pm it’s started to rain a little here and there. But still a bleeding to hike it🧗♂️🏔🧗♀️💫🤩❤️
★
★
★
★
★
Great hike! Our fourth 14er. Great trail... loved the scramble at the end!
★
★
★
★
★
After an early September snow fall, the trail was clear of snow until Hartenstein Lake junction. Thereafter snow on the trail until breaking out of timber near top end. This trail is stingy on views except a couple in the middle section and then at the top. The redeeming view that made it better was heavily snow coated north face of Mt. Princeton.
★
★
stars
The hike up is a gradual incline, but it does gain 2,000ft by the lake. The north couloir of Grizzly Peak hold snow well into July and is a classic ski decent, topping out at 13,980ft!
Be mindful of the starting elevation at this trailhead of 10,600ft.
★
★
★
★
★
Parked at the forest service sign and mountain biked up to the reservoir. Bike up us a decent climb, and coming down is good fun. The creek by the side of the road is very dramatic but didn’t see many trout in it, maybe due to periodic large waterfalls.
★
★
★
★
Beautiful hike. Trails are well maintained. More difficult to find best bouldering route. Summit views are spectacular
★
★
★
★
★
Weston Pass air down, Buena Vista Grocery, Cotton Wood Pass, arrived at Italian
★
★
★
★
★
Pleasant stroll with dog and baby. Ate lunch by one of the many stream crossings.
★
★
★
★
Tourists, do not underestimate the steady elevation gain of this hike. Be sure to start down by noon in August. Solo navigation of bouldering to summit takes patient scouting during summit fever rush to spot the next cairn. Do not proceed until you spot the next cairn, but half way up the boulder climb the tiny cairns move to the east face which can only be seen by following the brief (30 ft) dirt trail from the last cairn on the west face. Do not climb unless you are heading for a cairn. As Bunny states, do not start out on the east face.
★
★
★
★
★
Excellent trail most of the way. However, finding the route on the ridge can be challenging as it is difficult to follow the trails in the rocks. Follow the cairns on the West side. Do not cross to the east side even though some misleading tracks lead in this direction. The distance and time associated this hike are grossly inaccurate. Distance is 15 km and 6 to 8 hours is more reasonable estimate of the time needed. Elevation gain is 1288 m.
★
★
★
★
★
Excellent trail most of the way. However finding the route on the ridge can be confusing as the trail vanishes in boulders. Follow the cairns on the west side of the ridge. Do not cross to the east side even though some tracks lead in this direction.
★
★
★
★
★
