La Plata Peak (Northwest Ridge)

La Plata Peak is the fifth-highest summit in Colorado at 14,336 feet, and its Northwest Ridge is a Class 2 trail from Highway 82 on the way to Independence Pass: 9.25 miles round trip with 4,500 feet of gain, the lower half a rebuilt trail up La Plata Gulch and the upper half a rocky ridge with a few false summits. Mount Elbert stands directly north from the top.

From the South Fork Lake Creek trailhead on Highway 82, walk the 4WD road a short way, cross Lake Creek on the footbridge, and follow the signed La Plata trail into La Plata Gulch. The trail, rebuilt by the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, climbs steeply through spruce along the creek for about 2 miles to treeline, then switchbacks up the headwall of the gulch to the northwest ridge near 12,800 feet.

The ridge is Class 2 on rock, well cairned, with three or four false summits and a couple of spots where hands help. The summit at 14,336 feet looks north to Elbert and Massive and south down the Sawatch. Ellingwood Ridge, the jagged skyline to the east, is the Class 3 alternative. Return the same way.

From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, take Colorado 82 west toward Independence Pass about 14 miles, past Twin Lakes, to the La Plata trailhead on the south side of the highway, a small paved lot with room for 10 to 15 cars; when it is full, parking is allowed on the paved shoulder of Highway 82 as long as the whole vehicle is off the road. It fills by 5 AM on July and August weekends and overflow parks along the highway shoulder. No fee or permit. There is no toilet.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness; the ridge is long and rocky for one. Not a kid hike. Carry three liters; La Plata Gulch creek is the last water. Poles for the descent and a wind layer for the ridge. Twin Lakes has a lodge and a general store; Leadville and Buena Vista are each 30 minutes. The La Plata Peak guide covers the route in detail, and the Granite hikes page has the Clear Creek trailheads next door.