Poor Traction on La Plata Northwest Ridge Trail

[jsdratm]

I did the northwest ridge trail this morning and I must say that I was surprised by just how bad the traction is on the trail due to the abundance of scree and loose dirt. The worst parts were the switchbacks leading up the gully (too steep on the edges for the descent) and that long section that runs parallel to the ridge with a steep dropoff on the side. Once I got above the ridge I had no problems climbing over the rocks and getting to the summit (that part was awesome), but couldn't seem to get a good grip on the trail in these other places, making for an incredibly miserable descent. I found myself having to slide down the especially steep parts on my butt, using my trekking poles to slow my sliding lol.

I've only done a few 14ers and 13ers so far, but IMO this trail was by far the worst I have encountered in Colorado so far. Am I alone on this or do others have similar sentiments? Does anyone have tips for coping with these trail conditions?

[DaveSwink]

I had a similar experience on La Plata's Southwest Ridge route. Dropping off of the ridge, the trail was steep and covered with miserable slippery scree. There was no real hazard of a serious fall, but just slipping and falling on my butt seemed likely. I was wishing for trekking poles.

Your profile says you have not climbed Missouri yet. Take poles for the slippery spots on that ridge. I was wishing for them there too.

[mike_kadow]

Am I alone on this or do others have similar sentiments?

Nope, I saw a pack of four teenagers descending on their butts too.

I reckon you could go off route though.

[SteveBonowski]

La Plata North was one of the first trails completed by CFI back in the '90s. Sounds like it may be in need of some maintenance. Someone should pass it along to them.

[aliciaf]

I hiked La Plata last weekend via the Northwest Ridge without trekking poles and didn't have a problem. There was some loose dirt in parts, but nothing I found to be too difficult to warrant hiking down on my butt.

[JQDivide]

Hiked it Saturday as well, besides not watching were I was going and trying to stuff a camera in my pocket and falling on my face, I thought the trail was fine, no problems, not even any bad thoughts coming down.
Yes, some loose dirt/gravel but nothing out of the norm. Have been on much worse stuff, like the trail coming down Bross.

[kyriestone]

Hiked it Saturday as well, besides not watching were I was going and trying to stuff a camera in my pocket and falling on my face, I thought the trail was fine, no problems, not even any bad thoughts coming down.
Yes, some loose dirt/gravel but nothing out of the norm. Have been on much worse stuff, like the trail coming down Bross.

I also hiked the NW ridge on Sat. and agree with this observation. There is a part of the ridge that requires some talus hopping. No big deal, but I thought I'd avoid this on the descent by crossing the snowfield. This was a mistake, as I ended up postholing to my chest on the last 20 feet of it.

[Kevin Baker]

Ah, the luxury of a trail. Climb a few remote 13ers in the San Juans and La Plata will feel like a super highway! It just takes awhile to get used to the scree, but for the most part, loose rock and scree is pretty mellow on 14ers compared to peaks that are seldom climbed.

[jsdratm]

Kyriestone, I think I saw you on the summit and had you take my picture.

How are you guys descending these steep and loose parts? I was planting my trekking poles and taking slow steps while standing, but my boots kept slipping, forcing me to squat or slide on my butt. Are your boots actually able to grip on these steep parts or are you jumping down them or something? I think I only had to slide once on the main ridge descent, but multiple times on the gully switchbacks and once after entering the trail in the gulch (right before the rock steps). I am wearing Salomon 4D Quest GTX boots, perhaps there are boots that are better at handling the loose dirt and rocks? I also carry a backpack, so that is additional weight on my feet that probably doesn't help.

[Papillon]

Ah, the luxury of a trail. Climb a few remote 13ers in the San Juans and La Plata will feel like a super highway! It just takes awhile to get used to the scree, but for the most part, loose rock and scree is pretty mellow on 14ers compared to peaks that are seldom climbed.

+1

Our descent on Saturday was probably the longest 90 minutes of my life.



re: 14ers

I thought the standard route on Challenger was the worst.

Don't get discouraged by crappy terrain. Your comfort level will rise the more you deal with it. Poles help and don't hesitate to use the "alpine a--" if need be. Getting down in one piece is the name of the game.