La Plata Peak

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 5/16/2026, By: Connor1
Info: La plata is almost at summer conditions. There was only a few small snow crossings that were on the route. Almost all of the snow could be avoided. I did it in trail runners and never put on my spikes. Although I realized on the way down it would have been easier to stay ridge proper because there was a decent sized snow field on the east side of the ridge that makes for much easier hiking compared to the class 2 section of the trail. On the way down I was able to glissade down that snowfield which made going down faster and more fun. 

Route: Ellingwood Ridge
Posted On: 4/20/2026, By: BrendoRuns
Info: My first time on Ellingwood and the folks weren’t kidding! It is full on! Started late at 11:00, not my best call for the snow conditions. The approach is entirely clear and the first third of the ridge was mostly dry. Closer to halfway to the peak there were some steep snowy traverses but ice axe and spikes got the job done. Stuck more to the ridge line and did several class 4/5 down climbs to avoid the very snowy east side. Right before east la plata was the worst bit of deep powder with no rocks to hop on. Basically buried in the snow up to my waste feeling like I wasn’t going anywhere despite struggling hard. Seriously challenging conditions and ridge! Summited in 7 hrs 15 mins, down in 1:45. 

Route: Southwest Ridge
Posted On: 4/4/2026, By: Connor1
Info: Seemed like the mountain got about a foot of fresh snow. To start off I broke trail with my truck up the 4wd road to the trail head. You will need high clearance 4wd to get up the road as of now. There was a creek crossing with a 2+ft ice ledge. After that the road was a mix of a few inches of snow up to about a foot. From the trailhead I used snow shoes for my entire trip. The snow carried from a few inches to a foot plus. The deepest I sunk with my snowshoes on was closer to 2 ft is some sections. The trail was very hard to find. I was the only person out there since the last storm. I ended off trail for a while but considering the depth of the snow I don’t think it mattered at all. I think my route was a little more direct. I stayed a little more west than the trail and met up with it at the bottom of the headwall at a little over 12k ft. I turned around at this point due to forgetting gaiters and my boots were full of snow and I was pretty miserable. I walked back the same way I came. So there is now a trail broken Up to 12k+. The snow is seeming to melt fast. There was a noticeable change in the snow from the morning to when I got back to the truck. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 3/29/2026, By: Roughrider23
Info: Almost full summer conditions below treeline. Some snow patches hanging out on the switchbacks but not much else. Some snow drifts above 12000’ and along the gully but I would consider them negligible. Floatation not needed at all anymore, deepest snow I saw was about 2’ deep. Spikes would be helpful, didn’t use them after 13000’ the top ridge line to summit was mostly dry with avoidable snow. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 3/23/2026, By: KDub_Climbs33
Info: La Plata summit (3/22/26 - summer route). Conditions reminded me of normal mid-May conditions. Snow-packed below tree line, but the snow is pretty frequent above tree line as well. Definitely less snow as you go up, but I kept my microspikes on the whole time.

The avy areas can be navigated around. I took a gamble and glad I did.

I would not recommend this as a first 14er winter summit. Absolutely the worst postholing experience I’ve ever had. This was my 26th winter 14er/ 13er summit, and I basically postholed 3,000 ft of the descent. I had my snowshoes with me, but with the amount of rocks/ occasional dry patches of trail/ the looseness of the snow (probably postholing in snowshoes, YAY), I opted not to throw them on. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 2/14/2026, By: cmbennett07
Info: Successful solo summit today with my border collie. Modified NW Ridge with the headwall to gain the ridge faster. There were two groups ahead of me that attempted the standard NW Ridge, but turned back as the snow was iffy. Fresh snowfall on Friday night meant there were no tracks on the ridge to follow, so I made new tracks. With current conditions there’s lots of 60+ inch deep post holing involved–over knee deep. Some can be avoided if you stay on the rocks, but visibility is low. The boulder fields going up the ridge sucked as you’re playing a guessing game with snow cover trying to find firm snow and avoid holes. I brought snow shoes but did not use them. Spikes and poles an absolute necessity, wouldn’t have made it without them. Only time an axe would’ve been helpful was on the headwall. Poles help test snow depth and potential rocks. No potential ava danger at the moment if you stay ridge proper and follow the rocks. Post holing on the way back was absolutely brutal as legs cramped up. Really, really tough day, but stunning blue bird conditions. 14er 26 for me. Don’t underestimate winter 14ers, they’re miles more difficult. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 2/7/2026, By: yaymountain
Info: Standard route is in great shape and well trenched. First gully a bit slippery so using ice axe or poles would help. We decided against snowshoes and it was fine. Some postholing on way down with warming temps, but not too horrible. Our group of 3 plus 2 guys who camped 2 miles up the trail were the only ones on the mountain today. Go get it for some winter solitude! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 2/2/2026, By: jkillacky
Info: Summer route was packed in. Avalanche risk was slightly concerning in the first gully, but was limited to just that. Snowshoes highly recommended, microspikes from ridge to summit. Broke trail for the winter route on the way down, lots of fallen logs. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/21/2026, By: Jonathan Deffenbaugh
Info: Trench is still in going through the trees on the standard route, retrenched some spots above timberline, only needed microspikes, however if you’re uncomfortable with steep terrain that the first gully has to offer, an ice axe is a nice to have, stayed on the right of the ridge on the rocks in some areas due to the snow being unconsolidated, easy to punch through. Perfect day with perfect views, could see all the way down to the San Juans, Uncompaghre and Mt Sneffels easily! Huge shoutout to those who’ve kept the standard route open this long, much appreciated! 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/16/2026, By: markf
Info: micro spikes are enough, summer route is fine. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/11/2026, By: owen_farkas
Info: Pulled up at the TH at 9:40am (got stuck in traffic on I70), thankfully the road is plowed all the way. Surprised that 2 other cars were already there.
I put on micro spikes as soon as I got out of the car. Used poles too. I brought snowshoes but could have left them in the car. Went up the standard route, which has some sketchy bits in the "gully" section thanks to some loose slab lower down. However taking it slow made it not too bad. Above the ridge I could walk fine with just microspikes on all the talus. Very little postholing at this part.
I went down the "winter variant" route by following the NW ridge down. The headwall is extremely loose and steep and I practically slid down it. The bushwacking after this section is tedious and tiring. Standard route is probably better as of now.
Summited at 2, back to car at 5. Very mild weather. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/2/2026, By: rmcpherson
Info: We took the summer route up since there is not enough snowpack for avalanche risk. There was a lightly-traveled bootpacked trail all the way to the summit. No flotation needed. I used spikes on the descent and my partner used them for some of the ascent as well. Some slightly deeper drifted snow in places above 13k feet on the mountain but it's all manageable. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 1/12/2026, By: Wesfyn
Info: Snow across the entire route, but totally manageable with minimal post-holing. Traction needed on the steeper sections despite the relatively soft snow, although my climbing partner managed the ascent with alpine boots only.

My first winter 14er ascent, and it was an absolutely gorgeous bluebird virtually windless day until we reached the pass/summit and even then the sun kept us plenty warm. Only met one other party on the mountain. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 12/24/2025, By: anw0001
Info: Summited on Monday the 22nd, I did the winter route, there was some snow in the trees but manageable, definitely need a GPS as there are a lot of different tracks in the snow. The crux of the route was not bad going up the small ridge, but I summited late in the day and had to down climb the mountain in the dark, so the small ridge was a beast to get down. As far as snow on the rest of the climb, it was not an issue at all. I did not use snow shoes at all. it was a bluebird day and absolutely gorgeous, I couldn’t ask for a better day to climb. sorry if any of the spelling is wrong, I’m using audio text as I’m driving back to Tennessee. 

Route: Northwest Ridge
Posted On: 11/13/2025, By: JJEII
Info: Sunny day, but pretty cold. Windy, especially in the morning, on the way up. I carried traction gear but never needed it since it's possible to pick and choose routes (higher up) and footing if you just always pay attention.

(Also hit "East La Plata", which was a bit sketchier, but still didn't require putting on the traction anywhere, though it definitely required meticulous movement and good route-finding skills. Not recommended now for anybody who doesn't have both those.)