Mt. Yale vs La Plata Peak

[BigNick21]

Hello everyone,
I’m planning a trip to Leadville this summer and am planning on climbing some 14ers. I would like to know the general consensus on which route is regarded to be a better climb, Mt Yale or La Plata Peak (standard route on each). Thank you all for your input!

[greenonion]

Responses ought to be fun to see. I’d give it slightly to La Plata. I summited from the south side, but I’ve been within about a half hour of the summit on the standard (north) route due to bad knee and slow pace/time of day. I think the La Plata standard route has a bit more variety. I seem to remember being submerged in the lead up canyon doing Yale for a longer time, but it was an overall very nice hike too. You will enjoy either, but I’d give a slight nod to La Plata. Have fun, be safe!

[deepdarkseas]

I don't think you could have picked two more similar peaks in terms of mileage/elevation gain, overall difficulty, some class 2 near the top, summit views, and even a short post-hike drive to a scenic mountain pass. If just considering their standard routes I would give a very slight edge to Yale, I thought the hiking below treeline was prettier (though I did it in fall) and the view from Cottonwood Pass is better than that from Independence Pass. Though if you consider Ellingwood Ridge as well, La Plata definitely wins for having one of the few true scrambly routes in the Sawatch. Either one is a winner.

[ECF55]

I did Yale several years ago and I'm considering LaPlata Standard on my next trip out there. Yale was very pretty but a little isolated from other 14er peaks. Yale's summit scramble was a blast. Both hikes have great road access.

From the looks of the hike profiles, they are really quite similar! LaPlata Standard may have a very slightly steeper summit push, but I doubt it's really noticeable. One potential difference: Yale has a lot of south- and west-facing slopes, while LaPlata Standard is more northward facing, so consider those difference with lingering snow if you are doing the hike earlier in the summer season.

Profiles.png (56.19 KiB) Viewed 7076 times

[nyker]

These two are pretty well matched in terms of elevation gain profile, effort and number of ascents (at least measured by members here).
Any reason you are looking at these two specifically?

[wineguy]

It’s been awhile since I climbed these, but I recall the brief scrambling near Yale’s summit was more interesting than anything on La Plata.

[BigNick21]

I am looking at these two peaks because of their proximity to Leadville, relatively easy difficulty (class 2) as I decently new to climbing and the fact that they both have 2wd accessible trailheads.

[dwoodward13]

I am looking at these two peaks because of their proximity to Leadville, relatively easy difficulty (class 2) as I decently new to climbing and the fact that they both have 2wd accessible trailheads.

I'd still consider Huron from the 2wd TH. 10.5mi, 3,800' gain so a quite a bit less of overall gain over that longer distance. Not a crazy amount of extra distance either at about a mile. More scenic IMO than the other two.

But between your two listed options, I'd give the edge to Yale (but would pick Huron over both).

[Ryan P]

Having done both within the past year, I felt like many spots on the La Plata standard route were washed out and/or eroded and sketchy, and easy to lose the trail. It's basically impossible to lose the trail on Yale. La Plata definitely felt harder when I did it, but after some time I came to appreciate it.

[Ptglhs]

If you're okay with some road walking I'd recommend La Plata from Winfield. I have done Yale 2x via standard and La Plata once standard and once Winfield. I thought the Winfield option was prettier, more secluded, great camping up at treeline.

[greenonion]

If you're okay with some road walking I'd recommend La Plata from Winfield. I have done Yale 2x via standard and La Plata once standard and once Winfield. I thought the Winfield option was prettier, more secluded, great camping up at treeline.

Agreed. I should have promoted La Plata’s southern side from Winfield more, earlier. Was thinking OP was only interested in the standard routes. However, I think that’s the route that is unpleasant for a short duration due to being pretty steep and loose gaining the upper ridge. But not horrible

[mtree]

La Plata is one of my favorites for easy access and scenery. It begins with crossing South Fork Lake Creek. Pretty cool when the water is running high! It has a "wow" factor when reaching the ridgeline around 12,500. Great views at the top and along the ridge!

I liked Yale. Especially the minor scrambling near the top. It also has great views from the summit ridge, but the hike until then was so-so. The last time I was there I watched the sunset. Now THAT was awesome!!!