La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
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- Joelorado
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La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Hey I am new to the site, but not the Facebook page! I searched and couldn't find any real info here. I will be doing La Plata standard route Saturday and looking to camp out Friday night. I am looking to camp as close to the TH as possible in Pitkin County since there is no fire ban there (Lake County does have one) I found some info off site saying Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground is a good choice but that is 20 miles or so from the TH. Does anyone know of anything closer that is on the Pitkins County side?
- bj
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
I climbed La Plata July 4th. There were a few walk in campsites just a couple hundred yards up the road next to the creek. We spent two nights there.
Just a drinker with a climbing problem..
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Isn't the Pitkin/Lake border really close to the Pass? If you're planning to camp on the Aspen side of Indy Pass, you should look up that Aspen Camping PSA thread, as it sounds like there's more than fire bans going on over there. The closest camping on 82 to La Plata is Twin Peaks campground I think, I can't even think of dispersed camping options near the TH (unless you're hiking in), there's tons of private property.
- j babu
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
From my memory, there's a lot of private property right near the trailhead (though some spaces exist along the highway upriver, as noted above). I once hiked about 2 miles in on the standard route and found good camping, some close to the trail, and more west of the trail/creek, but maybe you want to car camp and not deal w a back pack in.
I prefer the route from the south (Winfield). The route is better looking (that cirque below the big headwall!) and the camping is better, IMO.
I prefer the route from the south (Winfield). The route is better looking (that cirque below the big headwall!) and the camping is better, IMO.
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
The county boundary is Independence Pass and you are asking about dispersed camping on the Aspen side. Below are the forest service guidelines for the bike races over the pass:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 379778.pdf
There is a fair amount of good dispersed camping on 82 within a couple miles of the La Plata trailhead, that I wouldnt hassle driving the pass switchbacks to the Aspen side just for a campfire. Note, the Lincoln and Weller campgrounds were closed to tent camping in early July due to vigorous bear activity.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 379778.pdf
There is a fair amount of good dispersed camping on 82 within a couple miles of the La Plata trailhead, that I wouldnt hassle driving the pass switchbacks to the Aspen side just for a campfire. Note, the Lincoln and Weller campgrounds were closed to tent camping in early July due to vigorous bear activity.
- _jderbique
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Where exactly did you camp? I was hoping to do La Plata from the South within the next few months. Thanks.j babu wrote:From my memory, there's a lot of private property right near the trailhead (though some spaces exist along the highway upriver, as noted above). I once hiked about 2 miles in on the standard route and found good camping, some close to the trail, and more west of the trail/creek, but maybe you want to car camp and not deal w a back pack in.
I prefer the route from the south (Winfield). The route is better looking (that cirque below the big headwall!) and the camping is better, IMO.
Jack Derbique
- screeman57
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
There is excellent dispersed camping up FS391 (S fork lake creek road) past the La Plata trailhead. You don't have to go too far to get past the private property. Rough road, though I've gotten my minivan way back there.
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- j babu
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
_jderbique wrote: Where exactly did you camp? I was hoping to do La Plata from the South within the next few months. Thanks.
Follow directions to Winfield (county road 390), and there's tons of dispersed camping up and down clear creek. Just get past the private property, look for the national forest sign, and take advantage of previously used pull outs. It is a popular area, but you can find a nice spot.
- Rambler
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Got my CRV .7 miles past Winfield to a great spot on the left with a 2ft carin. Saw a spot right at the washout (we crossed it in a jeep liberty later due to a few in our group having minor medical issues) and another spot right before the steep final part of road to the TH.
- Rollie Free
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
I was going to suggest Twin Peaks campground as its only a few minutes drive on the same highway.
Looked it up, 19 bucks a night for basically just having a pit toilet.
Looked it up, 19 bucks a night for basically just having a pit toilet.
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- Joelorado
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Thanks for the info guys! Ill probably go here, FS391. I heard about the bear activity but didn't think it would apply to a campground right off busy 82...but good to know!screeman57 wrote:There is excellent dispersed camping up FS391 (S fork lake creek road) past the La Plata trailhead. You don't have to go too far to get past the private property. Rough road, though I've gotten my minivan way back there.
- Joelorado
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Re: La Plata Peak Dispersed Camping
Is it FS391 or FS399? Google maps is showing FS399..not seeing FS391.screeman57 wrote:There is excellent dispersed camping up FS391 (S fork lake creek road) past the La Plata trailhead. You don't have to go too far to get past the private property. Rough road, though I've gotten my minivan way back there.