La Plata Peak

Working towards my goal to climb fourteen 14ers, La Plata Peak recently became #13 (also my first solo 14er of the season). I left Denver at 2am on Thursday, driving 2.5 hours southwest to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The trailhead for the northwest ridge route is located along Independence Pass near Twin Lakes (just before Aspen). This Class 2 hike has a total gain of 4,500' over 9.5 miles. Though the approach from the southwest ridge is easier, trailhead access is limited to 4WD vehicles.

I set off from the parking area (elevation 10,000') at 5am--third car in the small lot. After 1/4 mile walk on a dirt road, the trail begins in the woods. Crossing a number of bridges early on, it is easy to miss a turn in the dark. Log and stone steps slightly ease the steep ascent through the forest, as the trail quickly rises above the valley floor and South Fork Lake Creek.

At daybreak, I reached a level clearing in the La Plata Gulch with a pristine view of 13er, Sayres Benchmark.

Above 11,000', the trail begins to climb steeply up a gully with a series of tight switchbacks. A 6'x6' boulder marks a small, level area that many pikas call home. Another steep pitch then leads to the northwest ridge at 12,750'--1.25 miles from the summit.

The trek becomes significantly more challenging once on the ridge (the first half apparently considered to be easy). The remainder of the trail weaves through the rocks on or just below the ridge crest.

At the base of a buttress, the trail turns right and climbs around to the west side of the ridge. This is the most confusing part of the hike because the talus makes route finding difficult. I spent a large chunk of time navigating this section, following sporadic rock cairns as I rock hopped across boulders and scree. 

The trail becomes more defined near 13,800' as it steeply ascends the right edge of the ridge. This final push leads to the peak at 14,336'.

That morning, I was the second person to summit La Plata via the northwest ridge. The absence of wind allowed for a lengthy rest to take in the views. I had the summit to myself for the entire 20-minute break!

On the downhill journey, I passed several groups making the ascent. 

The air heated up just as quickly as the clouds rolled in. 

I returned to a full parking lot at 12pm, clocking seven hours roundtrip. Despite the tricky boulder fields near the top, I appreciated the variety of scenery offered on this hike from start to finish; everything from aspen groves and pine forests to peaceful streams and alpine lakes. Favorite 14er this year!