La Plata Peak (14,344′), Sawatch Range
La Plata Peak is known for it’s distinctive Ellingwood Ridge, and is one of the highest 14,000′ peaks in Colorado. Traverseing the Southwest Ridge route, with Huron Peak and the Three Apostles providing a backdrop, makes for stunning scenery.
“La Plata” is Spanish for “The Silver”, a reference to the many silver deposits in the area. You can find remnants of old mines along the trail.
The Sawatch Mountain Range is home to fourteen other 14,000′ peaks, such as Huron Peak, Mt Antero, Missouri Mountain, and the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, Mt Elbert.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: West Winfield (Southwest Ridge)
- Round trip: 8 miles / 12.9 km
- Elevation: 10,778′ – 14,344′ / 3,285 m – 4,372 m
- County: Chaffee
- Agency: U.S. Forest Service
- Nat’l Forest: San Isabel
Trail Pictures
Approximately 1,000 feet of talus and boulders to gain the southwest ridge
Approximately 1,000 feet of talus and boulders to gain the southwest ridge
Pika near the summit
Pika near the summit
View of Sayres Peak (13,738′)
View of Sayres Peak (13,738′)
Gaining the southwest ridge requires climbing up a large boulder and talus field with a steep elevation gain
Gaining the southwest ridge requires climbing up a large boulder and talus field with a steep elevation gain
Near the top of the first ridge overlooking the valley leading to the trailhead
Near the top of the first ridge overlooking the valley leading to the trailhead
Steep slope leading to the first ridge
Steep slope leading to the first ridge
La Plata Peak southwest ridge with abandoned mining track. View of Huron Peak and the Three Apostles in the background.
La Plata Peak southwest ridge with abandoned mining track. View of Huron Peak and the Three Apostles in the background.
Heading out of the valley
Heading out of the valley
Sunrise in the valley
Sunrise in the valley
Morning sunlight on the trek ahead
Morning sunlight on the trek ahead
The trail skirts around some of the boggy areas
The trail skirts around some of the boggy areas
The trail winding through the bog
The trail winding through the bog
Just above treeline
Just above treeline
Heading into an unnamed valley
Heading into an unnamed valley
Trail through the forest
Trail through the forest
View from the valley floor
View from the valley floor
View of Huron Peak (center) and the Three Apostles (right)
View of Huron Peak (center) and the Three Apostles (right)
Gaining the ridge out of the valley
Gaining the ridge out of the valley
Large boulder and talus field ahead
Large boulder and talus field ahead
The view across the ridge
The view across the ridge
The southwest ridge on La Plata Peak
The southwest ridge on La Plata Peak
La Plata Peak summit view
La Plata Peak summit view
The West Winfield trailhead is easy to miss
The West Winfield trailhead is easy to miss
Heading back down the trail
Heading back down the trail
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Looking back at the route up near the summit of La Plata Peak
Ellingwood Ridge (center to right) from the summit of La Plata Peak
Ellingwood Ridge (center to right) from the summit of La Plata Peak
Looking back as I climb out of La Plata Peak’s southwest valley
Looking back as I climb out of La Plata Peak’s southwest valley
Looking back down the steep ridge
Looking back down the steep ridge
View of the ridge, right of center, with a faint trail. Sayres Peak (13,738′) rises to the right.
View of the ridge, right of center, with a faint trail. Sayres Peak (13,738′) rises to the right.
View after climbing onto La Plata Peaks southwest ridge. The valley left of center leads back to the trailhead.
View after climbing onto La Plata Peaks southwest ridge. The valley left of center leads back to the trailhead.
GPS Route with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
Note: The West Winfield trailhead is small and very hard to reach, even during dry conditions due to the rough 4X4 road.
Once at the trailhead head directly north and cross a small creek and turn west for a bit. Following the steep trail you reach treeline at about 12,000′. Here the elevation levels out and you navigate through a large bog overgrown with willows. Expect to get your boots muddy here. Past the bog, you can see the steep trail which climbs to the ridge. Be careful here because of the loose rock and lack of traction, especially on the way down. Once on the ridge, the trail turns northeast and traverses the cliffs you viewed all morning. The trail steepens considerably again and gains 1,000′ in a very short distance, boulder hopping all the way to the top of the ridge. Once on the ridge, continue climbing over two false summits. The trail joins the Northwest Slopes standard route (#1474) for the last 20 feet to the summit of La Plata Peak.
Trailhead Directions
Your pics look beautiful! Did you find accessing the trailhead difficult? I have moderate clearance on my SUV and don’t want to get stuck.?
The road conditions have undoubtedly changed since i was there, but in June you could reach the trailhead in a moderate clearance SUV if you take your time and drive slow. The biggest variable is going to be moisture. If it rains, or has rained recently, the runoff could easily make the road impossible. Clear as mud….this is one of those trail-heads that is sketchy to get too.