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Access:
From Leadville, go 15 miles south on highway 24, and turn right on highway 82.
Go another 15 miles south on 82 and look for a turnout signed "South Fork Road".
Find a place to park on the turnout.
Please refer to the above books for more details and alternative routes.
Trip Report July 2000:
Bjørn Gillholm and myself had come a long way for our first peaks
> 14,000ft. And our ambitions were high. We planned to do 5-6 peaks in
a week. After arriving Leadville, we allowed one day for acclimating,
but the next day was summit day for La Plata Peak. I didn't acclimate too
well, and instead of doing the right thing, I wanted to get the summit,
so at least I had one on the record.
Early morning, we parked at the trailhead and made our way through the
forest, in a slow pace. We enjoyed the mighty view of Sayres as we came
to the forest end. When we saw the La Plata ridge, I remember we felt it would
be a tough hike. But steady does it, and we got up on the ridge below the
summit. First then, we could absorbe the mighty views of the Sawatch range.
And a marmott kept us company.
The final climb was tough, but we made it to the top with grace. After that,
I don't remember much. Bjørn was signing the summit log, and I must
have been taking pictures. We observed the weather and found that it was time
to descend. Immediately I started to vomit, and I didn't stop until we were
down from the mountain. I don't remember anything from the drive back to
Leadville.
The next day, we went for a lower peak in the Tenmile range, but I needed
a doctor more than a peak, so we drove to Leadville Medical Hospital, where
AMS was the conclusion. We drove back to the motel with the car full of
oxygen equipment and a plan to leave Leadville the next day. Bjørn
was able to do Mt. Elbert early next morning before we left. He did not
suffer any altitude problems at all.
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The trail:
Follow South Fork Road, and after a short hike, exit left onto the La Plata trail.
Cross a couple of bridges before the trail ascends into a valley, with Sayres
Mountain rising in the south.
The trail goes up to the left and switchbacks until you arrive a ridge. From this ridge,
Ellingwood ridge on the other side of the horseshoe comes in sight. The final climb up
La Plata to the right of the snowfield now remains.
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Other hordaland mountains
