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First of all, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! I celebrated independence with La Plata Peak to kick off my 14er long weekend adventure. Heading to Castle and Conundrum tomorrow and then either Snowmass or Holy Cross on Saturday. FREEDOM is having four days off of work in July!
I jetted out to Twin Lakes and the Lake Creek Trail Head when I got off from work in Conifer Wednesday evening. Pulled up just after sunset. I had a little time to explore, so I drove my FJ down the trail a little bit. There are a bunch of "No Parking" signs down that road FYI. I found the turn off for the single track trail to La Plata at ~.4ish miles. I turned around and went back to the road/TH and got cozy in my FJ for the night. AND the BEST $4.88 I ever spent at Walmart goes to these awesome little LED lights. 3 AAA batteries and I had a killer bed time set up : ) ALSO if you don't have Gerry Roach's "Colorad's Fourteeners" book (pictured), then GET IT. If the mountains are your sanctuary this is the 14er bible!
Home sweet Cruiser for the next few nights.
Quick Stats for the day: 9.4 miles round trip, 2h42min to summit, 1h57min down.
I had a little later start in the morning. Didnt get rolling until 6:10am. But it was primed to be nothing but sunshine all day. Plus I hike fast. My RED, WHITE AND BLUE 4th of July game was on fire too!
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Crossing over the river was cool (thank god for bridges!) because that water is raging! Wow, pretty powerful stuff...or maybe I'm just not cut out to be a kayaker. You river rats keep your water, I'm good with the land and mountains!
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Trail was aces the whole way.There are some steep stairs to get the legs burning early. Then it rolls along the river into this gorgeous green meadow.
Lovley'Merica likes this meadow
Just when you start to get comfortable it takes ya straight up to the left and some rocky steep switch backs. Ah, yes, time to earn that elevation!
Up time!7AM and sweating!
As you keep going up the switch backs and above tree line there is still one descent size snow field. Stay to the RIGHT! You can completely avoid it, and keep heading straight up to gain the trail on the ridge. Dont go left around it, its rockier and you are putting yourself farther away from the summit.
That escalated quickly! : )Find the trail and stay right around the snow.
Meh, the upper part of La Plata was not my favorite. Lots of little pea gravel that is annoying going up and was going to be even worse going down. PS: If you don't hike with hiking poles you dont know what you are missing. Especially for steep stuff to help save the legs, and also for stability when things get loose and slick. In my younger years I used to thing poles were for "old people". Well, ya got me. I will never leave for a 14er trip without them.
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There are a couple of false summits getting up to the top. A few more snow patches still. Nothing crazy with terrain or route finding.
THAT WAY...why so serioius...Looking back down
I was the first to summit and was totally solo. I was in the mood just to soak it in, relax, and actually enjoy being up there.
Traditional summit shotDon't mess with America!
These pictures are so good, I'm thinking of running for Miss America.....hahahaha
The view never gets old.
Some peaks are "Ok, I've been up here for 8 minutes and those clouds look scary, its time to go." I had a solid 45min up there before I was joined by some more freedom day hikers. I gave them my La Plata sign for some pictures and I got some with their Colorado flag as a cape. It was getting a little windy!
Miss Colorado for sure
As predicted the upper third of the descent was not great fun. Lots of loose little rock, steep, and slow going. It wasnt until you get off the switch backs and into the valley that it gets enjoyable again.
Gross loose and steep...Getting much better...
Nice solid dirt trail made for some running miles. It was also getting hot and I was ready for some shade and ice cold Diet Coke.
Purple Mountains Majesty...I think it was raging harder in the afternoon...warm day.
Felt like a true summer day. I relaxed for a little at the trailhead but then wanted to hit the road quick to get to Aspen and the Castle/Conundrum trailhead. The sooner I got there and camped out the sooner I could be relaxing in my hammock with a beer. : )
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Side Note: The drive over Independence Pass to Aspen was SPECTACULAR! Amazing vista views, sweeping road, lots of lush green Aspen trees, and an all around fun drive if you don't get stuck behind someone who is deathly afraid to do any speed except 5 UNDER the speed limit.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
The worst thing about Independence Pass is not getting behind a scared flatlander (though that is annoying). It's meeting an RV coming the other way on one of those barely wide enough for two cars sections on the Aspen side.
I love that upper meadow too, it is like out of the Sound of Music.... Thanks for sharing your journey.
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