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Silver mettle

La Platas’ namesake mountain beckons

Though the La Plata Mountains are in Durango’s backyard, they often are neglected in favor of the Big Boys over in the San Juans. In contrast, the La Plata range is diminutive with only 25 peaks. The highest is Hesperus Mountain, a mere 13,232 feet.

However, La Plata climbs are anything but trivial. So let’s begin with Silver Mountain, a peak anyone in decent shape can visit. And while it is “just a walk,” it is a long trek with ample elevation gain to its 12,496-foot summit.

Seen every day from Durango, Silver Mountain beckons to those who want to assemble a personal landscape puzzle through the full experience of place.

The approach: The simplest way up Silver is to traipse over Deadwood Mountain – a bonus on this route at 12,285 feet.

From the parking area at 9,040 feet, cross the La Plata River south of Neptune Creek. To find the proper place, walk down the road a few paces, bear right, pass a primitive campground and make for the river. Ford directly across from the four-wheel-drive road that punches up the other side. Alternatively, cross on a substantial, stable log 20 yards downstream.

Walk up the steep four-wheel-drive road. Occasionally it is clear; often trees are strewn across. Frankly, this segment is rather tedious, and you will welcome the company of a friend. Or enjoy the rhapsody of woodland flowers such as sunny and sprightly heart leaf arnicas.

Stay on the road for 1½ to 2 hours, taking a right fork at 3.0 miles and 11,280 feet. When a clear view of Ohwiler Ridge is revealed at 3.3 miles and 11,400 feet, turn left and walk up a track heading northeast that leads to the west ridge of Deadwood Mountain.

The climb: Upon reaching the west ridge, 3.4 miles and 11,550 feet, leave the track and launch up an obvious social trail. It soon peters out, but stay on the rounded, wooded ridge. It is somewhat steep but easy, green walking. Trekking poles are helpful.

Ascend 200 feet, rising through the krumholtz before busting out into the alpine. The route to Deadwood’s summit now is obvious on broken talus. Reach the crest at 3.9 miles. Net elevation gain to this point is 3,245 feet, so a big chunk of the day’s climbing is accomplished.

From Deadwood, Silver is commanding, and the next 1.2 miles are pure pleasure, taking 45 minutes to an hour. Stay on the ridge and clamber over a roller to the low point between the peaks at 12,000 feet. There is 715 feet of climbing between the two mountains, 496 feet remaining from the saddle.

Alpine flowers delight along the way. Midsummer, the magenta paintbrush is profuse as well as mouse ear chickweed, old man of the mountain, moss campion, deep-rooted spring beauty, sky pilot, purple fringe, alpine sage and even a tiny patch of forget-me-nots.

Scrutinize Silver Basin on the east side of the ridge for the local elk herd grazing in the tundra.

The final push up Silver’s west ridge is on talus with occasional respite on social-trail fragments. It will take anywhere from 2 hours, 40 minutes to 4 hours to reach the crest from the trailhead. The summit is as broad and welcoming as you imagined it to be when seen from town.

Private land note: Silver Mountain, until recently, was enjoyed as a loop hike. Climbers ascended via Deadwood but returned by way of Silver’s north ridge to a saddle. The route turned west, dropping through the Tirbircio Creek Basin. An old mining track running right of the creek took hikers back to the La Plata River, passing by the Gold King Mill, lost to a careless fire in 2003. The river was forded to intercept La Plata Canyon Road. However, there is a small piece of road on private land at the base of the Tirbircio Creek trail, just east of the La Plata River. It is posted “No Trespassing.” For now, the loop option is off-limits.

The easiest way back to your vehicle is to return as you came. Save some energy for the 455 feet of vertical between Silver and Deadwood.

http://debravanwinegarden.blogspot.com. Debra Van Winegarden is an explorer and freelance writer who lives in Durango.

Trail basics

The La Platas are “The Silver Mountains.” This is a straightforward but somewhat arduous route topped by a peaceful, tundra/talus ridge, culminating at the La Platas’ namesake mountain with a view of Durango.

Travel: From the U.S. Highway 160/550 intersection in Durango, travel 11.0 miles west on Highway 160 to Hesperus. Turn right (north) on La Plata Canyon Road (County Road 124). Zero-out your trip meter. Just after passing the hamlet of Mayday, the road turns to smooth dirt at 4.6 miles. The trailhead is at 7.8 miles. Park on the right at placard displays for historic La Plata City. Two-wheel-drive vehicles are adequate.

Distance/Elevation Gain: 10.1 miles/4,446 feet.

Time: 6 to 7½ hours.

Difficulties: Four-wheel-drive track and off-trail climbing; moderate navigation skills required; no scrambling, no exposure.

Map: La Plata, Colorado USGS 7.5 quad



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