La Plata Peak Hiking Guide (Colorado 14er)
- Bobak Radbin
- Jun 21
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 28
La Plata Peak is one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountains, rising to 14,344 feet in the Sawatch Range near Twin Lakes, Colorado.
While nearby peaks such as Mount Elbert and Mount Massive often receive much of the attention, many hikers consider La Plata Peak one of the most rewarding Colorado 14ers thanks to its scenic approach, diverse terrain, and spectacular summit views.
For my ninth Colorado 14er, I chose the Northwest Ridge Route, starting before sunrise after spending the night sleeping in my Subaru at the trailhead.
This La Plata Peak Hiking Guide covers trail statistics, summer trail conditions, gear recommendations, lessons learned, and what it was like to climb one of Colorado’s most scenic 14ers.
You can follow my entire journey toward climbing all 58 Colorado 14ers in my Colorado 14er Hiking Guide.
This climb marks Colorado 14er #9 of 58.
For couples who love hiking, adventure, and mountain landscapes, Colorado’s alpine environments also create incredible places to exchange vows. You can learn more in my Colorado Elopement Guide.
Table of Contents
La Plata Peak Quick Hiking Guide
Here are the essential statistics from my hike.
Trailhead: La Plata Peak Trailhead
Summit Elevation: 14,344 ft
Distance: 9.64 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 4,400 ft
Route: Northwest Ridge
Difficulty: Class 2
Time to Summit: 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 51 minutes
Colorado 14er Number: #9 of 58
Compared to several other Colorado 14ers, La Plata Peak packs significant elevation gain into a relatively short distance, creating a physically demanding but highly rewarding climb.
Getting to the Trailhead
The La Plata Peak Trailhead is located along Highway 82 between Twin Lakes and Independence Pass.
Coming from Colorado Springs, the drive took approximately three hours.
Rather than waking up in the middle of the night and driving to the trailhead, I decided to make the trip part of the adventure. I drove up the afternoon before, spent time exploring the Twin Lakes area, and slept in my Subaru at the trailhead.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the entire trip.
By sleeping at the trailhead, I was able to wake up rested, enjoy a relaxed morning, and begin hiking at 4:40 a.m. without the stress of a long pre-dawn drive.
Driving & Parking Information
For this hike, I drove my 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium, and getting to the La Plata Peak Trailhead was simple and stress-free.
The trailhead is located just off Highway 82 between Twin Lakes and Independence Pass. The drive is almost entirely on paved roads, with only a short, well-maintained entrance into the parking area. During normal summer conditions, nearly any passenger vehicle can reach the trailhead without difficulty.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was arriving the afternoon before and sleeping in the back of my Subaru at the trailhead. It made for a much more relaxing morning and allowed me to begin hiking before sunrise without a long pre-dawn drive.
Vehicle
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium
Road Conditions
🟢 Easy
The road to the trailhead is in excellent condition during the summer hiking season. Nearly the entire drive is paved, and the final section into the parking lot is well maintained and suitable for almost all passenger vehicles.
Parking
Free parking at the La Plata Peak Trailhead
Large parking area with additional dispersed camping nearby
No reservation required during my visit
Excellent location for sleeping in your vehicle before an early morning summit attempt
Arriving early is still recommended during busy summer weekends
Would I Drive It Again?
Without hesitation. This is one of the easiest Colorado 14er trailheads to access, and sleeping at the trailhead made the entire experience far more enjoyable. I would absolutely choose the same plan again for a future visit.
Why I Chose La Plata Peak
Originally, I had planned to hike Huron Peak.
After researching recent trail conditions, weather forecasts, and route information, La Plata Peak kept standing out as the better option for the week.
The route offered:
Excellent summer conditions
Manageable route finding
A classic Sawatch Range summit
Incredible alpine scenery
A challenging but achievable climb
After completing Pikes Peak the week before, I wanted another mountain that would continue building experience above 14,000 feet while still providing a memorable adventure.
La Plata delivered exactly that.
My La Plata Peak Hike Experience
The alarm went off around 4:00 a.m.
After a quick breakfast and final gear check, I started hiking at approximately 4:40 a.m.
The first portion of the route winds through forest and follows the creek before steadily climbing toward treeline.
As daylight slowly arrived, the mountain began revealing itself.
Wildflowers were blooming throughout the lower portions of the trail, and the cool morning temperatures made for ideal hiking conditions.
Above treeline, the views expanded dramatically.
The route becomes steeper as it climbs toward the northwest ridge, and the final section involves weaving through talus and rocky terrain while following cairns toward the summit.
The upper ridge required more route finding than some of the other Colorado 14ers I had climbed previously, but the route remained straightforward with careful attention.
After approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes, I reached the summit.
I was the second person on the summit that morning after a small group of hikers who had arrived shortly before me.
Standing at 14,344 feet, surrounded by endless views of the Sawatch Range, it immediately became one of my favorite Colorado 14ers.
Watch My La Plata Peak Adventure
Photos tell part of the story, but video captures the experience in a completely different way.
I created a short video from my hike up La Plata Peak, including the pre-dawn start, alpine terrain, summit views, and some of the incredible scenery along the route.
Whether you’re researching the hike or simply enjoy Colorado mountain adventures, I hope it gives you a feel for what it’s like to stand on top of one of Colorado’s most beautiful 14ers.
Summer Trail Conditions on La Plata Peak
Conditions during my hike were excellent.
The trail was fully in summer condition throughout most of the route.
A few small snowfields remained above approximately 13,000 feet, but they were easily avoidable by staying on nearby rocks.
No microspikes were needed.
No gaiters were needed.
The trail was dry, well-established, and easy to follow through treeline.
Route finding became slightly more challenging near the summit ridge, but cairns and social trails made navigation manageable.
What I Packed
For this hike, I carried:
Trekking poles
Two liters of water with electrolytes
Sawyer water filter
Wool base layer
Fleece layer
Waterproof shell
Beanie
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Headlamp
Phone and battery pack
Uncrustables
Energy bars
Beef jerky
Gummies
One of the best decisions I made was bringing a cold chocolate protein shake in the cooler for after the hike.
After nearly seven hours on the mountain, it tasted incredible.
Reaching the Summit of La Plata Peak
The summit of La Plata Peak offers some of the most impressive views I have experienced so far in my Colorado 14er journey.
Unlike Pikes Peak, there are no buildings, gift shops, roads, or crowds waiting at the top.
Just mountains.
From the summit, the Sawatch Range stretches endlessly in nearly every direction. Peaks, ridges, valleys, and alpine basins fill the horizon.
The weather could not have been better.
Clear blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and manageable winds made it easy to spend time soaking in the moment before beginning the descent.
One of my favorite parts of every 14er is taking a few minutes at the summit to simply sit down, eat a snack, drink some water, and appreciate how fortunate I am to experience places like this.
La Plata Peak reminded me exactly why I started this project.
Wildlife and Wildflowers
One thing I always look forward to during these hikes is wildlife.
I still haven’t seen a mountain goat on any of my Colorado 14ers, which is starting to feel almost comical at this point.
Maybe mountain goat number one is still waiting for the perfect mountain.
I did, however, spot a marmot and managed to get surprisingly close for a few photographs.
I also saw several high-altitude birds near the upper mountain and plenty of wildflowers blooming along the lower sections of the trail.
The combination of wildlife, flowers, alpine terrain, and massive mountain views made this one of the most scenic hikes I’ve completed so far.
Recovery After La Plata Peak
One of the most interesting parts of this project has been tracking recovery after each mountain.
My watch recorded a recovery time of approximately 41 hours following La Plata Peak.
For comparison, after hiking Pikes Peak the week before, my recovery estimate was approximately 51 hours.
Even though La Plata gains nearly the same amount of elevation, the shorter overall distance made a noticeable difference.
My legs were definitely sore, especially my quadriceps during the first couple of days, but I felt significantly better than I did after Pikes Peak.
A few things that likely helped:
Better post-hike nutrition
Immediate hydration
Protein shortly after finishing
More efficient pacing throughout the day
Growing fitness from previous 14ers
It’s encouraging to see measurable improvement as the season progresses.
Post-Hike Burger Tradition
After finishing the hike, I drove to Buena Vista and stopped at K’s Dairy Delite.
Open since 1955, it’s one of those classic Colorado burger spots that feels like stepping back in time.
After spending nearly seven hours on the mountain, the burger tasted absolutely incredible.
There’s something special about earning a meal after a long day in the mountains.
The combination of summit satisfaction, exhaustion, and good food is hard to beat.
Lessons Learned From This Hike
Every mountain teaches something different.
La Plata Peak reinforced several lessons.
Start Early
Starting before sunrise gave me cool temperatures, quiet trails, and plenty of time to enjoy the summit before afternoon weather became a concern.
Sleeping at the Trailhead Works
Spending the night in my Subaru at the trailhead eliminated the stress of a long early-morning drive and made the entire experience more enjoyable.
I will likely continue doing this for many future Colorado 14ers.
Recovery Starts Immediately
The protein shake waiting in the cooler may have been the MVP of the entire trip.
Combined with hydration and a good meal afterward, recovery felt noticeably easier than previous hikes.
The Descent Still Counts
As always, the climb up is only half the challenge.
The descent puts tremendous stress on the knees and quadriceps.
Consistent training, hiking poles, and pacing remain some of the most valuable tools for staying comfortable on longer descents.
Other Colorado 14ers in My Journey
La Plata Peak became my ninth Colorado 14er.
You can also read about the other summits in this project:
Each mountain has offered a completely different experience, which is one of the reasons this project has been so rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is La Plata Peak?
La Plata Peak is generally considered a Class 2 Colorado 14er. The route is not technical, but the elevation gain, altitude, and rocky upper mountain make it physically demanding.
How long does it take to hike La Plata Peak?
Most hikers take between 6 and 9 hours round trip depending on fitness, weather, and pace. My hike took 6 hours and 51 minutes total.
Do you need microspikes for La Plata Peak in summer?
Typically no. During my June hike, the remaining snowfields near the summit were easily avoidable.
Is La Plata Peak harder than Mount Elbert?
Many hikers find La Plata Peak more physically demanding due to its steeper terrain, despite Mount Elbert being taller.
Can beginners hike La Plata Peak?
Strong beginners who have experience hiking at altitude and are properly prepared can successfully summit La Plata Peak during good summer conditions.
Why Colorado’s Mountains Inspire Adventure
Standing on top of La Plata Peak reminded me that the goal of this project isn’t simply checking peaks off a list.
It’s about slowing down.
It’s about spending time outdoors.
It’s about building strength, confidence, resilience, and perspective one mountain at a time.
Each summit becomes a marker in a much larger journey.
La Plata Peak now joins Quandary Peak, Mount Bierstadt, Mount Sherman, Mount Elbert, Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Mount Yale, and Pikes Peak as part of my growing Colorado 14er collection.
Nine down.
Forty-nine to go.
If you’re planning your own mountain adventure, Colorado elopement, or outdoor photography experience, feel free to explore my Colorado Elopement Packages or Contact Me.
I’d love to hear about your adventure.
Safety Notice
This guide reflects my personal experience hiking La Plata Peak via the Northwest Ridge Route. Mountain conditions, trail conditions, weather, access, and route information can change at any time.
Please review my Mountain Safety & Disclaimer page before planning your hike.
Always conduct your own research, check current conditions, carry appropriate gear, and make decisions based on your own experience and judgment while in the mountains.
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