ラプラタ郡の天然記念物・トップ16

Kennebec Pass sits at 11,700 feet and opens to sweeping views of the La Plata Mountains and the San Juans. Reaching it requires a long drive on a rugged Forest Service road, passable only by high-clearance vehicles, or can be accessed by the Colorado Trail.

Coal Bank Pass sits at an elevation of 10,610 feet and serves as a link between the towns of Silverton and Durango. Situated along the renowned Million Dollar Highway, it offers travelers spectacular vistas of rugged peaks and stunning landscapes.

Kennebec Pass rises up to an elevation of 11,683 feet and offers expansive views of the La Plata Mountains and La Plata Canyon. This is one of the high points on the Colorado Trail and promises a downhill no matter which way you turn.

This scenic viewpoint is named for Gudy Gaskill, the so-called Mother of the Colorado Trail. So it is not surprising that is located right on the famous long-distance trail, that stretches from Durango to almost Denver. It’s said, this high spot was one of her favorite places, with stunning views over the San Juan Mountains.

At 12,285 feet, Deadwood Mountain is one of the most accessible peaks in the La Plata Mountains. Like most of the summits in the range, Deadwood Mountain is approached via an old, rocky mining road. Once you break treeline, the trail tuckers out, and you follow the ridge (with some evidence of a trail/path) to the top.

Diorite Peak (12,761 feet) is one of the most central mountains in the La Platas. The mountain is usually approached via a rocky logging road that ends in the midst of a bunch of switchbacks climbing up the southern face of the mountain. The trail is mainly class 1, but it is super steep in sections. You can truly see the entire La Plata Mountain Range from the top of this mountain.

Cumberland Mountain is a 12,388-foot peak in the most northern section of the La Plata Mountains. The approaches to the summit aren't very long, but the trailheads are remote and help to make this peak vacant on a regular basis. The summit is just off of the Colorado Trail and looks southward through the heart of La Plata Canyon.

Taylor Lake is just a few yards off the Colorado Trail. You can fill your water bottles easily at the outlet right next to the trail. There are also great spots for camping with great mountain view.