La Plata Peak
4,370m
The fifth-highest peak in Colorado, with a challenging northwest ridge route and the classic Ellingwood Ridge traverse.
Mountain Weather
La Plata Peak (14,336 ft) is the fifth-highest fourteener in Colorado and is located in the Sawatch Range near Leadville. The standard route via the Northwest Ridge is a steep Class 2 climb, while the Ellingwood Ridge traverse is one of the classic Class 3 ridge routes in the state. The approach crosses private land and passes through aspen groves before climbing above treeline onto exposed alpine ridges. The summit offers a wide view of the surrounding Sawatch Range, including Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, and the Collegiate Peaks. The nearest town is Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,158 feet.