La Plata Peak via Northwest Ridge

This route starts and ends at the La Plata Peak trailhead (10,150') and summits La Plata Peak at 14344'. From the start on Colorado Highway 82, walk 100 yards down South Fork Lake Creek Road, cross a vehicle bridge, and continue 0.25 mile to a signed junction on the left. Follow the La Plata Gulch Trail east into the forest, crossing the South Fork of Lake Creek on a footbridge. After 0.33 mile, cross La Plata Gulch Creek on a log bridge, turn right, and continue south along the creek. Near 10,400', the trail steepens, climbing 500 vertical feet before easing. Above 11,000', the trail leaves the gulch, climbs back into trees, and reaches a steep, narrow gully. Switchback up the gully to 11,800', turn right, and traverse south across the hillside, climbing more switchbacks near 12,100'. Near 12,300', reach a flat area marked by a large square boulder, cross an open section, then turn left onto rocky ground leading to the northwest ridge. Crux: From the ridge at 12,750' — still 1.25 miles from the summit — route-finding gets harder weaving through rocks near the crest. At a buttress, the trail shifts right onto the ridge's west side, where talus makes the line tricky before it swings back to the crest. Climb to a flat spot at 13,500', where the summit comes into view but steep climbing remains. Above 13,800' the trail firms up; past 14,000', head south, then turn left onto a faint path to the 14,344' summit. Retrace the route to the trailhead. Firm snow above 13,500' can require microspikes into early summer.

La Plata Peak is the fifth highest peak in Colorado at 14,360.