La Plata Peak Southwest Ridge

The route begins and ends at the South La Plata trailhead and reaches the summit of La Plata Peak, returning the same way for a round trip of about 7.5 miles. From the trailhead, walk 0.1 miles up a closed 4WD road to the true trailhead. Follow the trail across a small stream to a corner overlooking a gulch, then parallel the gulch for under 0.5 miles to about 11,500 feet, where the terrain opens. Continue to treeline at the basin's south end. Follow the trail north through willows — often muddy after rain — to the basin's north end near 12,100 feet, where the trail climbs northwest toward a notch in the southwest ridge. Leave the basin and ascend; just above 12,400 feet, pass an old mine below cliffs, then turn right and climb a steep, loose stretch that improves near the ridge. After 650 vertical feet, reach a notch at 12,750 feet; turn right (northeast). About 0.5 miles of easy trail brings you to the route's crux: a prominent, unmarked rocky slope where the defined trail ends. Look for trail segments and cairns near its base — there are often many, so if it's confusing, aim for the slope's center rather than drifting left or right. The rock is surprisingly stable, but stay alert for loose rock and dirt as the slope steepens. Climb to a flat spot just below 14,000 feet. From there, walk to the ridge crest and follow it toward a false summit at 14,200 feet; follow cairns and bypass the false summit's top on the left just before reaching it. Note this bypass point carefully for your descent. Beyond it, drop slightly to join the final stretch of La Plata's standard Northwest Ridge route, continue over a second false summit, and walk a short distance to the true summit. Retrace the same route on the descent. The crux slope and the false-summit bypass are the two points most likely to cause confusion in reverse — the loose slope is more consequential to downclimb, and the bypass point is easy to miss without a clear mental note from the way up.

The trail near the start of the Southwest Ridge route passes by a gate leading to the Tasmania Mine. This historic mine was one of the more prolific and active mining sites within the Winfield District during the region's historical mining boom.