La Plata Peak is the fifth-highest summit in Colorado at 14,336 feet and the second-highest in the Sawatch Range. It's known for the dramatic Ellingwood Ridge route, though the standard Northwest Ridge is a straightforward class 2 climb.
Standard Route
The Northwest Ridge starts at the South Fork Lake Creek Trailhead on Highway 82, about 9 miles east of Twin Lakes. The trail climbs through forest into La Plata Gulch, then ascends the northwest ridge to the summit. 9.25 miles round trip, 4,500 feet of gain.
What to Expect
The route is well-marked but sustained. Above treeline the ridge becomes rocky with some easy scrambling. The view from the summit takes in Mount Elbert directly to the north and the entire Collegiate Peaks.
Related Reading
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