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
Gmetzel - Mar 18, 2013 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2005
Made it!
WOO!
cdevenney84 - Jan 21, 2013 7:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2012
Day before Elbert
Great weekend in the Sawatch range. Saw a storm slam into Elbert around noon, lighting hitting all around it. It left the summit covered in snow. CRAZY!
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 4:37 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2012
beast of a day
almost didnt make it back...
telemarkdude - Nov 22, 2012 2:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 1996
Nice Hike
Cooperating weather... can't ask for more.
MissH - Nov 7, 2012 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2012
Trail to myself
First time I never saw anyone else on my 14er trail, but did share summit with someone who went up/down a different route. Neither of us encounted anyone else. Quiet day, was very nice. Getting very cold already!
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!
alpineair - Oct 28, 2013 10:55 am
La Plata PeakWinter ascent.
DanielL - Oct 4, 2013 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2012
Ellingwood Ridge successClimbed the famous Ellingwood Ridge - huge day, it felt good to get this one done!
smudge - Jun 13, 2013 11:50 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2011
AwesomeAwesome summit! Incredible setting... hope to do this one a few more times in my life... great mountain.
lapotka - Apr 23, 2013 4:44 pm
first 14er with my brogreat hike
Gmetzel - Mar 18, 2013 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2005
Made it!WOO!
cdevenney84 - Jan 21, 2013 7:11 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2012
Day before ElbertGreat weekend in the Sawatch range. Saw a storm slam into Elbert around noon, lighting hitting all around it. It left the summit covered in snow. CRAZY!
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 4:37 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2012
beast of a dayalmost didnt make it back...
telemarkdude - Nov 22, 2012 2:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 1996
Nice HikeCooperating weather... can't ask for more.
MissH - Nov 7, 2012 8:57 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2012
Trail to myselfFirst time I never saw anyone else on my 14er trail, but did share summit with someone who went up/down a different route. Neither of us encounted anyone else. Quiet day, was very nice. Getting very cold already!
Berger - Nov 4, 2012 7:24 pm
From Winfield SideNot another soul on the trail.
ajberry - Oct 27, 2012 5:29 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2007
Normal routeWith Megan and Katie, both 10. Their first 14er!
BLong - Sep 23, 2012 3:52 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2012
Via Ellingwood RidgeNice hike via Ellingwood Ridge
alpspitze - Aug 13, 2012 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2012
Northwest RidgeNot a drop of rain with a 70% chance. This was a great hike.
mtneering - Aug 7, 2012 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2012
FantasticGreat adventure