Wheelbarrow - Feb 5, 2018 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
#10
As a last second decision, ran up La Plata after doing Elbert and before work in Estes Park the next day. Enough about my crazy decisions, it was bitter cold during that sunset on the top. That peak you see on the way up the valley is crazy gorgeous.
kronshage3 - Dec 22, 2017 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 19, 2017
Via Northwest Ridge
Started around 6:30AM. Road was a little icy, but fairly easy to make to trail head with 2WD sedan. No need for traction or snowshoes thanks to whoever broke in the trail already. The snowfields near the summit are interesting. I would highly suggest an ice axe. Otherwise it was a near perfect day with basically no wind. Also had entire mountain and trail to ourselves. Got back around 2PM.
lilmantis - Oct 17, 2016 12:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2016
Just the wind and I
Took the Southwest Ridge route and camped over night in the basin at around 12,000 feet. The full moon lit up the entire range around me and was like sleeping with a huge porch light on under the stars and in my bevy sack. The winds yesterday were pretty consistent with 80mph or more gusts.
Ten people on the trail today and I was the last one there (1055 am) and the last to depart (615 pm). Four hours and eight minutes up, a snack break on top, and two hours and fifty five minutes down. The trail was easy to figure out although some of the more hazardous parts were quite low (still in the treeline). Watch your footing. I met a juvenile bighorn sheep on the way down and Mother Nature took pity on me and did not drench me with rain despite the very late start.
#1 9-5-15 Quite the west wind; a fast-moving squall laid down 1/2" of snow above 13,700'. Therefore the mild scrambling closer to the summit became just a tad trickier. Mit Yz. Really pleasant summit including the wind-break.
Ragu - Sep 1, 2015 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2015
Summit with Kiddo
First 14er for my daughter - she did great coming from sea-level Boston. Not a cloud in the sky for 360... though western forest fire haze really diminished the view.
Tom Fralich - Aug 16, 2015 9:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
Made it! Started driving from Idaho Springs around 4am, hit the standard trail to La Plata Peak around 6am, followed the approach trail under overcast skies for the first 2 1/2 hours until we hit treeline at 12,000 ft. Navigated a steep gully and followed a well defined trail to the ridge near 12,500 ft. Weather obscured the summit but we pushed onward into the clouds. Around 13,000 ft. we were hit by sleet and soon after snow, with significant wind. We made a decision to keep going, and it was the right one. We made the summit at noon, snapped a few photos and got back down to the relative safety of the ridge. Backtracked down the trail and on our way down the skies opened up. The hike back out was beautiful. Made it to the car a little past 4pm. A long, wet and windy day, but the views of what we accomplished on our hike out were phenomenal! Round trip a little less than 10 miles, and 4,500 ft. of elevation gain to the summit from the trailhead.
Missed the roadside trailhead and hiked 4 miles beyond to Sawyers gulch, uhgg! La Plata trail was nice and straightforward once on it (-8 miles of warmup exercise), includes trail steps and thoughtful switchbacks that compensate for the rocky talus above 13,000'. Quick timing FYI: 4hrs UP. No weather and half moon for descent.
BradBartick - Aug 9, 2014 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2014
Northwest Ridge
With Michelle. Left summit in nick of time due to T-storms.
Climbing Jack - Jul 21, 2014 8:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2010
ToTheHeights - Feb 13, 2018 8:19 pm
La Plata07/15 w/Cory Martin
Via standard route
Wheelbarrow - Feb 5, 2018 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2017
#10As a last second decision, ran up La Plata after doing Elbert and before work in Estes Park the next day. Enough about my crazy decisions, it was bitter cold during that sunset on the top. That peak you see on the way up the valley is crazy gorgeous.
kronshage3 - Dec 22, 2017 3:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 19, 2017
Via Northwest RidgeStarted around 6:30AM. Road was a little icy, but fairly easy to make to trail head with 2WD sedan. No need for traction or snowshoes thanks to whoever broke in the trail already. The snowfields near the summit are interesting. I would highly suggest an ice axe. Otherwise it was a near perfect day with basically no wind. Also had entire mountain and trail to ourselves. Got back around 2PM.
lilmantis - Oct 17, 2016 12:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2016
Just the wind and ITook the Southwest Ridge route and camped over night in the basin at around 12,000 feet. The full moon lit up the entire range around me and was like sleeping with a huge porch light on under the stars and in my bevy sack. The winds yesterday were pretty consistent with 80mph or more gusts.
Smithman123 - Aug 4, 2016 10:20 am
Fun SummitThis was a great hike with nice views of Elbert and the surrounding mountains.
schleger - Jul 21, 2016 8:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2016
WonderfulHiked LaPlata on a Monday. Only saw two others on this exceptionally nice trail.
cmarks7clouds - May 17, 2016 6:24 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 1989
Top 10It's a Colorado top 10 with good reason. Enjoyed the entire day!
yadahzoemtn - Jan 8, 2016 9:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
Cool MountainLoved this mountain
technicolorNH - Sep 14, 2015 11:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2015
Standard routeTen people on the trail today and I was the last one there (1055 am) and the last to depart (615 pm). Four hours and eight minutes up, a snack break on top, and two hours and fifty five minutes down. The trail was easy to figure out although some of the more hazardous parts were quite low (still in the treeline). Watch your footing. I met a juvenile bighorn sheep on the way down and Mother Nature took pity on me and did not drench me with rain despite the very late start.
Moogie737 - Sep 9, 2015 12:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
Northwest Ridge#1 9-5-15 Quite the west wind; a fast-moving squall laid down 1/2" of snow above 13,700'. Therefore the mild scrambling closer to the summit became just a tad trickier. Mit Yz. Really pleasant summit including the wind-break.
Ragu - Sep 1, 2015 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2015
Summit with KiddoFirst 14er for my daughter - she did great coming from sea-level Boston. Not a cloud in the sky for 360... though western forest fire haze really diminished the view.
Tom Fralich - Aug 16, 2015 9:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
Ellingwood RidgeThis is a long one.
xDoogiex - Jul 27, 2015 1:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2015
Great hike on no sleepBeautiful hike. I was awake for about 24hs when I started heading down. Lack of sleep and acclimatization made it feel way harder
buzzdainer - Jul 21, 2015 9:56 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2015
Great hike!Beautiful day, lots of marmots.
JBRunyan - Dec 21, 2014 11:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2012
First 14er!First 14er, Highest climb to date! Beautiful Colorado day, Great Hike, Great Views!
Onager - Sep 21, 2014 11:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2014
Crazy Weather!Made it! Started driving from Idaho Springs around 4am, hit the standard trail to La Plata Peak around 6am, followed the approach trail under overcast skies for the first 2 1/2 hours until we hit treeline at 12,000 ft. Navigated a steep gully and followed a well defined trail to the ridge near 12,500 ft. Weather obscured the summit but we pushed onward into the clouds. Around 13,000 ft. we were hit by sleet and soon after snow, with significant wind. We made a decision to keep going, and it was the right one. We made the summit at noon, snapped a few photos and got back down to the relative safety of the ridge. Backtracked down the trail and on our way down the skies opened up. The hike back out was beautiful. Made it to the car a little past 4pm. A long, wet and windy day, but the views of what we accomplished on our hike out were phenomenal! Round trip a little less than 10 miles, and 4,500 ft. of elevation gain to the summit from the trailhead.
ericd - Sep 4, 2014 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2014
Northwest RidgeMissed the roadside trailhead and hiked 4 miles beyond to Sawyers gulch, uhgg! La Plata trail was nice and straightforward once on it (-8 miles of warmup exercise), includes trail steps and thoughtful switchbacks that compensate for the rocky talus above 13,000'. Quick timing FYI: 4hrs UP. No weather and half moon for descent.
BradBartick - Aug 9, 2014 6:18 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2014
Northwest RidgeWith Michelle. Left summit in nick of time due to T-storms.
Climbing Jack - Jul 21, 2014 8:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2010
Quick day on La PlataVia the northwest slopes.
MadGrad96 - Nov 1, 2013 7:52 am
La PlataBeautiful!