La Plata Peak is in the bag! Today I reached the summit of La Plata Peak, the fifth highest mountain in Colorado at 14,336 feet in altitude.

"La Plata" means silver in Spanish, and was given that name for the silver deposits throughout the area that once made the ghost town of Winfield bustling with mining activity. La Plata Peak stands tall and proud in the region of Twin Lakes and Independence Pass, and while the trailhead of the standard route is located on Highway 82 in Lake County, the actual summit is within the Chaffee County border. How is that for useless information? ;)

Enjoy the photos below. My summer is going to be shortened fairly soon and I am trying to get as much time in the outdoors as I can!

-Steve

Assorted Photos of La Plata Peak TOP PHOTOS - The view of La Plata Peak from Mt. Elbert. The mountain's northern face is grand and imposing. BOTTOM LEFT - Photo taken on Highway 82 near Independence Pass. La Plata Peak is on the right. BOTTOM RIGHT - Another photo from Highway 82 but lower than the left photo. La Plata Peak's summit is cut off to the right. That jagged ridge is Ellingwood Ridge. (The next time I return to this spot, I plan to replace this photo with a better shot that includes Ellingwood Ridge and La Plata Peak.)

	Along The Way I arrived at the trailhead at 5:10 a.m. with light barely showing to the east. I turned on my headlights for this photo. At approximately 5:20 a.m., I journeyed along the trail with mainly moonlight as my source of light. It was very pretty!
	A bridge near the beginning of the trail. Note: After crossing this bridge, the trail goes RIGHT. I mistakenly went left and was lost for about 30 minutes. (Photo taken as I was coming back)
	La Plata Gulch was running hard!
	A clearing inside the La Plata Gulch area.
	A large patch of columbines, the state flower of Colorado.
	The uphill began in earnest as it turned left (east) toward the ridge. As usual, I wanted to show my friends in places like Arizona and Texas that we still have snow hanging around in some parts. ;)
	Continuing up! La Plata Peak's summit can be seen just behind the "false summit" in the bottom picture.
	Near the same spot of the two previous pictures, I captured the view looking toward Highway 82 and Independence Pass (top). I also captured the pretty view of Ellingwood Ridge and La Plata Basin in the foreground (bottom).
	Almost there.

	On The La Plata Peak Summit Myself standing on the summit. I was very happy to be there!
	Ahhhhhh ... the views! The southerly view of the Sawatch Mountains with Crystal Lake down below.
	Interestingly, clouds hovered just above the Taylor Park region. It appeared much of Taylor Park Reservoir was filled with fog! The poor folks who most have been camping down there. ;)
	A patch of snow. My other 14er hikes: Pikes Peak (2002) Mt. Democrat, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Bross (2004) Mt. Princeton (2004) Mt. Sherman (2004) Mt. Yale (2006) Quandary Peak (2007) Mt. Belford (2007) Mt. Yale (2007) Mt. Sneffels (2007) Mt. Antero (2007) Mt. Sherman (2007) Mt. Elbert (2008)
	Just like last week on Mt. Elbert, I zoomed-in as best as I could on Snowmass Mountain. Look at all the snow still on that mountain! :p) The Maroon Bells can be seen way out there to the left of Snowmass Mountain.
	Another photo of Highway 82 and the canyon leading to Independence Pass.
	Looking toward Twin Lakes.
	If you know your mountains, then you should be able to recognize Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive and Bull Hill (a 13er).
	Looking south again, I zoomed-in as best as I could toward Mt. Princeton. This photo will make it on my Mt. Princeton web site!