La Plata Peak Trip Report 07/22/2008

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	La Plata Peak - 14,344 feet
Date Posted	07/22/2008
Modified	08/19/2009
Date Climbed	07/20/2008
Author	dcbates80911

Cairn Hunting Season on La Plata
Hiking Partners - Greenhouseguy (Brian) and Rockfarmer (Zach) Distance - 7.7 Miles RT Trailhead - West Winfield - Southwest Ridge Class - 2 Elevation Gain - 3500ft On Wednesday night, Greenhouseguy inquired with interested parties for a La Plata summit on Sunday, June 20th. I had just returned from Belford and Oxford, but was ready for another. We planned to meet at the Missouri Gulch TH at 5:00am on Sunday so Rockfarmer and I chose to camp overnight with Greenhouseguy driving up in the morning. Sleeping was hit or miss for me. Not sure I got a full 2 hours, but apparently it was enough. About 4:30, Rockfarmer and I got up and prepared our gear. Out of the darkness I heard an inquisitive "Dave?". Greenhouseguy had arrived late the night before. We briefly talked, then piled into my 4Runner heading for the trailhead. Officially, we signed the log at 5:50am. The first part of the climb gave us all a good cardio jolt. We stopped a couple times until finding our pace. As the trail ascended, we were greeted with a view into North Clear Creak Valley (not sure if that is the official name). The path became muddy in spots, but nothing to what we were about to encounter. Signing the log Looking west up North Clear Creek Close to two miles in we entered the "Valley" as we called it. Along the way, the wildflowers were in abundance. Greenhouseguy (a horticulturist) pointed out many of the different flowers and provided some interesting information. My favorite was the "elephant head" flower with pedals that look like elephant ears and a trunk. We continued making our way to the Northwest side and began our first major climb. Approaching the Valley Entering the Valley (ascent path is on the left towards the ridge's notch) Upon reaching the top, we saw where our work was about to begin. We would climb roughly 1100ft to the first false summit through nothing but talus making it difficult to find cairns. The process was: Stop, look for cairn, find cairn, slowly move to cairn, and repeat. This part of the climb took forever. It wasn't strenuous, just very monotonous. Looking into the valley (Huron and the Three Apostles in the background) First false summit This Cairn is like the dozens hidden in the sea of talus Rockfarmer taking a break on ascent through the talus Upon breaking the first false summit, the second false and real summits were in sight. Our pace quickened on the better trail and we reached the summit just after 10:00. The day provided great weather on top (light breeze, warm temperature, light clouds) and clear views allowing us to recognize 24 separate 14ers. We spent about 45 minutes eating, taking pictures and talking to different people (who all came up the standard route). Breaking the first false summit, the second false and true summit can be seen Summit Pose Maroon Bells Capital (left of center in the distance) Elingwood Ridge Close to 11:00am, we headed down and as we approached the top of the first false summit, we ran into someone who recognized my 14er.com hat. It was Mel McKinney and her hiking partner. We introduced ourselves, and had a brief chat then wished each other well. It is always nice to meet someone in real life vs. a screen name. Anyway, we headed down to the ridge overlooking the valley and stopped to take some pictures. Then continued to descend into the valley where Greenhouseguy and Rockfarmer stopped to take wildflower pictures. Rockfarmer persistently tried to take a picture of a yellow bird that kept moving just as he was ready to snap the shot. Thankfully, he finally got his shot as mosquitoes were the other flying objects in the air. Finally, we made the descent to the TH and car. Looking over the valley towards Huron Wilson's Warbler Greenhouseguy really wanted a picture of these flowers in the middle of the stream Looking west up North Clear Creek - Afternoon shot For a surprise trip, this turned out to be a nice one. The route had its challenges, but they were outweighed by the beautiful views, abundant wildflowers, limited contact with other climbers, and some good partners. Overall, it was a great climb.

Cairn Hunting Season on La Plata

Hiking Partners - Greenhouseguy (Brian) and Rockfarmer (Zach)
Distance - 7.7 Miles RT
Trailhead - West Winfield - Southwest Ridge
Class - 2
Elevation Gain - 3500ft

On Wednesday night, Greenhouseguy inquired with interested parties for a La Plata summit on Sunday, June 20th. I had just returned from Belford and Oxford, but was ready for another. We planned to meet at the Missouri Gulch TH at 5:00am on Sunday so Rockfarmer and I chose to camp overnight with Greenhouseguy driving up in the morning.

Sleeping was hit or miss for me. Not sure I got a full 2 hours, but apparently it was enough. About 4:30, Rockfarmer and I got up and prepared our gear. Out of the darkness I heard an inquisitive "Dave?". Greenhouseguy had arrived late the night before. We briefly talked, then piled into my 4Runner heading for the trailhead.

Officially, we signed the log at 5:50am. The first part of the climb gave us all a good cardio jolt. We stopped a couple times until finding our pace. As the trail ascended, we were greeted with a view into North Clear Creak Valley (not sure if that is the official name). The path became muddy in spots, but nothing to what we were about to encounter.

Signing the log

Looking west up North Clear Creek

Close to two miles in we entered the "Valley" as we called it. Along the way, the wildflowers were in abundance. Greenhouseguy (a horticulturist) pointed out many of the different flowers and provided some interesting information. My favorite was the "elephant head" flower with pedals that look like elephant ears and a trunk. We continued making our way to the Northwest side and began our first major climb.

Approaching the Valley

Entering the Valley (ascent path is on the left towards the ridge's notch)

Upon reaching the top, we saw where our work was about to begin. We would climb roughly 1100ft to the first false summit through nothing but talus making it difficult to find cairns. The process was: Stop, look for cairn, find cairn, slowly move to cairn, and repeat.

This part of the climb took forever. It wasn't strenuous, just very monotonous.

Looking into the valley (Huron and the Three Apostles in the background)

First false summit

This Cairn is like the dozens hidden in the sea of talus

Rockfarmer taking a break on ascent through the talus

Upon breaking the first false summit, the second false and real summits were in sight. Our pace quickened on the better trail and we reached the summit just after 10:00. The day provided great weather on top (light breeze, warm temperature, light clouds) and clear views allowing us to recognize 24 separate 14ers. We spent about 45 minutes eating, taking pictures and talking to different people (who all came up the standard route).

Breaking the first false summit, the second false and true summit can be seen

Summit Pose

Maroon Bells

Capital (left of center in the distance)

Elingwood Ridge

Close to 11:00am, we headed down and as we approached the top of the first false summit, we ran into someone who recognized my 14er.com hat. It was Mel McKinney and her hiking partner. We introduced ourselves, and had a brief chat then wished each other well. It is always nice to meet someone in real life vs. a screen name.

Anyway, we headed down to the ridge overlooking the valley and stopped to take some pictures. Then continued to descend into the valley where Greenhouseguy and Rockfarmer stopped to take wildflower pictures. Rockfarmer persistently tried to take a picture of a yellow bird that kept moving just as he was ready to snap the shot. Thankfully, he finally got his shot as mosquitoes were the other flying objects in the air. Finally, we made the descent to the TH and car.

Looking over the valley towards Huron

Wilson's Warbler

Greenhouseguy really wanted a picture of these flowers in the middle of the stream

Looking west up North Clear Creek - Afternoon shot

For a surprise trip, this turned out to be a nice one. The route had its challenges, but they were outweighed by the beautiful views, abundant wildflowers, limited contact with other climbers, and some good partners. Overall, it was a great climb.

Comments or Questions

Mel McKinney	Congrats! 7/22/2008 9:43pm There were little animals and flowers everywhere, I know where you‘re coming from on wanting to take photos of everything! I thought about getting the shot of the flowers in the stream but now I have Greenhouseguy‘s photo to enjoy! :D Great shots guys!
Greenhouseguy	Nice Hike 7/23/2008 2:20am Very thorough report. I‘m glad that we hiked it from the south; it was scenic and not too crowded. The willows and muck reminded me of Bierstadt, but it wasn‘t nearly that bad. The talus seems to be a predominant theme in the Sawatch Range. It was a great hike, and it was good hiking with you guys.
RockFarmer	Awesome 7/23/2008 3:15am Great TR Dave, thanks for doing it. I have e-mailed you some more pics if you want to add them.

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