La Plata Peak

I would not normally blog about a hike, but this was significant to me for a few reasons.

First, this was the first Fourteener I have climbed in five years. As I get older and more frail I wonder what limitations I will encounter. At least for now, with my dog helping to carry some of the load, I can still reach the top.

Second, this area of the state is beautiful. The mountains are very tall. It is thrilling to know that the Arkansas river, emerging as a trickle a few feet wide, eventually joins the Mississippi in Little Rock. I could not find its width at that point, but here is a picture. I enjoy the ride over Fremont Pass and the views of the mining activities. Those activities are not beautiful, and perhaps they could be conducted with higher regard for the environment, but I know that without mining I would have no car to drive to the trailhead, and likely no computer to post my comments.

Third, Fourteeners see a lot of traffic. I scheduled my trip for Sunday night/Monday specifically to avoid the crowds. For the most part I did, but had I summited a Thirteener I likely would not have seen another person. On the trail I noticed a number of recent improvements, such as large rocks situated next to each other to make stairs. These improvements occurred in various places between eleven and thirteen thousand feet. I salute the people that implemented them, I know from experience in my twenties that is no easy task.

Pictures.