The Silver Peak: Chasing European Lines on La Plata

Trip Report 6/8/26

San Isabel National Forest

At 14,343 feet, La Plata Peak is the fifth-highest Colorado 14er. The name, meaning "The Silver," references the silver mining activity that was once prevalent in the area. Like many peaks in the Sawatch Range, it was first climbed by a Hayden Survey team in 1873.

The Northwest Ridge is the most popular route of ascent. Like other summits in this range, it is not technical, but it is challenging nonetheless. Parking at the base of Independence Pass at the La Plata Peak trailhead, I started the day relatively early to avoid the threat of afternoon thunderstorms. I snagged the last spot in the small parking lot, which can maybe handle 12 vehicles.

The line of travel begins with a quarter-mile jog down Forest Road 82C before turning onto the La Plata Peak Northwest Ridge Trail. Immediately, I encountered La Plata Falls, which was an unexpected surprise—there is a sturdy bridge crossing South Fork Lake Creek where the water twists its way through a steep gorge and over a small waterfall.

La Plata Falls

There is a brief moment of flat trail before it turns south and climbs abruptly into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. There is very little running to be done from here on out, with the exception of one alpine meadow after the first major climb. The trail switchbacks continuously, rising out of the canyon and up toward the ridge. The steep, grassy slopes covered in wildflowers felt remarkably similar to their European counterparts.

High Alpine Meadows La Plata Peak

Once on the Northwest Ridge, the route meanders to the west, allowing you to bypass the remaining snowfields on the rocks. Route finding gets a little trickier on this final stretch, as snow and large boulders obscure the obvious path. Trusting your intuition or checking the GPS will suffice, and the summit is never far off.

Summit Block La Plata Peak

Looking out from the top, the sharp cone of Huron Peak is obvious to the south. Its fellow Collegiate Peaks—Belford, Oxford, and Missouri—sit just to the east of it. To the north, the La Plata basin draws the eye down below, pointing back toward Mount Elbert, which was yesterday’s objective.

As I jogged back to the trailhead, I contemplated the next objective. With 51 more 14er summits left to choose from, the scale of the Rockies is truly remarkable, and the drain of the altitude is humbling. What a place and time to enjoy summer running.

La Plata Peak Map

🗺️ Line of Travel:

La Plata Peak Trailhead ➔ Forest Road 82c ➔ La Plata Northwest Ridge Trail ➔ Summit ➔ Retrace Route to Return.

📍Beta:

The trailhead lot is small, holding only about 12 vehicles. It fills fast—arriving by 7:00 a.m. even on a weekday means cutting it close for a spot. Near the summit ridge, summer snowfields and large boulder fields can obscure the trail; keep a GPS handy or watch for cairns.

📊 Route Stats:

• Distance: 9.44 miles
• Elevation Gain: 4,514 feet
• Moving Time: 2:41:30
• Average Pace: 17.06 / mile

👟 Gear List:

• Shoes: Dynafit Ultra Pro 2
• Pack: Black Diamond Distance 12 Pack
• Water: MSR Trailshot Pump

La Plata Peak | StravaView Seppi Stiegler’s Trail Run on June 8, 2026 | StravaStrava

Sayers Benchmark, Northwest Ridge, La Plata Basin, Zigzag Climb, View South to Huron