La Plata Peak

Route: N Face Ski
Posted On: 5/7/2018, By: martinleroux
Info: Hiked and skinned up the NW ridge and skied the N face. Continuous snow above 11,500'. On the way up we followed a well-consolidated track along the summer trail until it disappeared at about 11,000'. Regained a good boot pack and skin track along the crest of the NW ridge. Great skiing in the N face couloir (powder almost all the way!). Skied across to the shoulder on the NW ridge at 11,750' and descended from there to our up-track in La Plata Gulch. The descent to the gulch wasn't much fun - lots of wallowing in patchy rotten snow - but that part was over quickly. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 4/22/2018, By: merrion13
Info: Attempted winter route of NW ridge today. Pretty easy hiking to get to the headwall. There were footsteps crossing the standard summer route slope which we didn't follow due to the snow on Friday/Saturday. Climbing up the headwall was doable, just totally unconsolidated powder-sugar snow on top of loose scree. At the ridge, some areas were really deep (postholed past knee in places) while other spots were an inch or two of coverage. Took longer to get there than expected due to loose snow, so turned around at the ridge junction (about 13K) with the standard trail. For those heading up soon, enjoy the trench! Flotation was a must, and also glad to have our spikes for certain areas. If doing the headwall, also recommend bringing your axe. Some images below. 

Route: NW Ridge Winter Route
Posted On: 4/19/2018, By: desertdog
Info: It snowed a couple inches the night before. Snowshoes and spikes or crampons are a must. Mixed snow and rock starting at headwall and on the ridge to summit. Navigating through the trees was a bit tough and we got turned around a couple times. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 4/11/2018, By: drchele
Info: Hiked lower route just after a heavy snow-- 6-8" covered the TH area, more at elevation. Microspikes were sufficient; did not need flotation along lower route. Post-holing to ankles and occasionally knees, but route-finding challenging. Bridge over South Fork of Lake Creek is stacked with snow, but the waterfall was a beautiful surprise coated in snow and ice. Started later than expected (7:30) and took a wrong turn that cost us just over an hour, so turned back just shy of 11,000' having lost our route (again), and knowing we would not make the summit. Enjoyed a lovely and peaceful hike in the snow-covered trees. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 3/14/2018, By: Scott03
Info: Used the winter variation. Great packed trench to the headwall at 11,800. No snowshoes needed, microspikes were a little helpful. Patchy snow on the ridge and up to about 13,500. From there to about 13,900 was solid snow, mostly consolidated. Someone before me had used crampons but I easily managed in microspikes. Only patchy snow near the summit. Awesome day! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 3/4/2018, By: JamesK
Info: There was deep snow in the tree line, traction/flotation is necessary. Once on the ridge, the snow was less deep and we were able to summit with only microspikes after the headwall. The wind was extremely rough, especially on the summit, but the views were amazing. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 2/9/2018, By: Vimana Aircraft
Info: Elected to leave my snowshoes in the car and did not regret it. There are some drifts, and areas of thigh deep snow, but they are short and manageable! Never used my crampons, but did use my axe. The summer trail is impressively packed and the turn off for the headwall (winter route) is packed but in places there is some drifting. For the above treeline beta please see the photos below :-)!!!!!!!! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/6/2018, By: matt_ziemke
Info: The winter route consists of well consolidated snow. Return via the standard summer route is OK. No av. danger to speak of and little post-holing near the stream. The faint fork after the creek is correct. Micro spikes and an axe are recommended. Very favorable winter conditions! Schedule: Leave the car: 7:30, made the head wall: 9:30, Summit: 1:03, left 1:13, Car: 4:35 PM. Leisurely pace. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/21/2017, By: 2toes
Info: We took the winter route up due to the recent avalanche warning. No one had been up since the previous snow. We wore snow shoes through the trees and Brad didn't do a great job finding a way around all of the dead fall (so follow our tracks at your own risk!) Once we came out of the trees we switched to micro spikes which were sufficient to the summit. Once we got a look at the summer trail coming up, it was clear that there wasn't enough snow to be concerned about avalanche, so we chose to descend that way. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/13/2017, By: alyannkar
Info: The trail was entirely covered in snow below treeline, ranging from a dusting to a couple inches. Below much of the snow is a thick layer of ice. Above treeline, snow covered most of the trail. Drifts were as much as thigh high in some places. Traction and poles would be useful in some areas, especially heading back down. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/12/2017, By: rybchuk
Info: Strongly recommend microspikes. Thin layer of snow almost all the way up, but not enough to justify snowshoes. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/24/2017, By: SkyGirl
Info: I encountered fresh snow right from the trailhead; a couple of inches on the lower mountain, 8 to 10 inches higher up. Only 7 people and 1 dog on the mountain all day and all but 1 tough gal and her dog turned around. I had to do a lot of route finding and breaking trail up the ridge. Quite a bit of snow past the false summit ... I headed up for a bit, but I was too late and too exhausted and turned around (for the 2nd time). Some of the snow had started to melt on the lower mountain by the time I was descending in late afternoon. Not so much on the ridge and beyond. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/23/2017, By: henryclimber
Info: Route was snow covered almost 100%. I felt fine using microspikes and postholing was only occasional. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/16/2017, By: matt_foco
Info: Absolutely stunning day on La Plata. It is currently in a freeze/thaw cycle, so for the early birds microspikes will be needed for trail section near the river gorge. For the most part, the trail is dry and defined. Some spots will require postholing, but for the most part the snow is avoidable on the ridge. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 10/8/2017, By: oliffj
Info: Clear for the first two miles, then lots and lots of snow. Micro spikes are a necessity. Waterproof everything! Was in knee deep snow more often than planned. Wind was also very strong.