La Plata Peak
Description
WikipediaLa Plata Peak is the fifth-highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. state of Colorado. The prominent 14,343-foot (4,372 m) fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 22.7 miles (36.5 km) northwest by west (bearing 308°) of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. "La Plata" is Spanish for "The Silver", a reference to the many silver deposits in the area. The nearby ghost towns of Winfield and Hamilton were prominent silver mining towns in the early part of the 20th century. A Hayden Survey team first climbed the peak on July 26, 1873. The elevation of 14,361 feet marked on the USGS Mount Elbert Quadrangle is incorrect, and should read 14,336 feet (in the NGVD 29 vertical datum).
First ascent
Best months
Hiking score 0–100 · 10-yr climate averagesNeighbouring summits
| Name | Elevation | Bearing | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Blaurock | 4,143 m | SE 141° | 2.6 km |
| Rinker Peak | 4,185 m | E 74° | 3.0 km |
| Ervin Peak | 4,116 m | SE 134° | 4.1 km |
| Twin Peaks | 3,957 m | E 72° | 4.5 km |
| Mount Hope | 4,249 m | E 101° | 4.7 km |
Climbing routes
nearest first| Route | Area | Grade | From summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellingwood Ridge | La Plata | 1 | 7 m |
| Southeast Ridge | La Plata | 1 | 7 m |
| Pirate Mode | 3. Trailhead Wall | 6b | 5.2 km |
| Last Chance | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6c | 5.2 km |
| Temporary Change of Season | 3. Trailhead Wall | 6b+ | 5.2 km |
| Tradding Water | 4. Boulder Wall | 7a | 5.2 km |
| Corner Crack | 4. Boulder Wall | 5a | 5.2 km |
| Grave Line | 4. Boulder Wall | 6a | 5.2 km |
| Slip...Not! | 4. Boulder Wall | 6b+ | 5.2 km |
| Livin' On The Edge | 4. Boulder Wall | 7a+ | 5.2 km |
| The Ramp | 4. Boulder Wall | 5a | 5.2 km |
| Independence | 4b. Iron Stone Wall | 6a+ | 5.2 km |
| Silver Queen | 4b. Iron Stone Wall | 6a | 5.2 km |
| Heinous Cling | 4b. Iron Stone Wall | 7a | 5.2 km |
| Chemical Dependence | 4b. Iron Stone Wall | 6b+ | 5.2 km |
| Baby Rex | 5. Iron Side Wall | 5a | 5.2 km |
| Black Cloud | 5. Iron Side Wall | 7a | 5.2 km |
| Glory Hole | 5. Iron Side Wall | 7a+ | 5.2 km |
| Red Dawn | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6c | 5.2 km |
| Twin Flakes | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6a+ | 5.2 km |
| Climax | 5. Iron Side Wall | 7a | 5.2 km |
| Spindrift | 5. Iron Side Wall | 7a | 5.2 km |
| Silver Dollar | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6b+ | 5.2 km |
| Prospector | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6a | 5.2 km |
| One Thin Line | 5. Iron Side Wall | 6c+ | 5.2 km |