The trail crosses private land, heading east to a steel truss bridge over the South Fork. Follow the trail across La Plata gulch for two miles to treeline. One route is defined from treelined to the summit by rock cairns or recent trail work that delineates the standard route.
The area is scarred by the myriad of braided trails. Please help prevent further erosion by staying on the cairned route for both the ascent and descent. Older routes are being closed for restoration.
From Leadville, travel south on US Hwy. 24 to Hwy. 82, fourteen miles to the turn off marked "South Fork Lake Creek". Parking is provided on the south side of highway 82 at this junction. FDR 391 crosses private land for 1.6 miles and parking is not allowed anywhere along this stretch. Walk approximately 1/3 mile on the road to the signed beginning of the La Plata Gulch Trail.
You can also click on the marker on the map to get Google directions to the trailhead.
Vertical Profile:
There is no GPS track available to display a vertical profile. Click 'Edit' below to upload a GPS track file.