LoJ: #275 (Pre-LiDAR #273) / 13,475' La Junta Peak
N 37° 53' 48.05", W 107° 47' 13.40"
(Not Field Checked)
Wasatch Mountain
"Jackass Point" [Formerly UN 13145]
Peak Summary
La Junta SSW Ridge Route
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Bridal Veil Basin TH
From the Town of Telluride, on the main street (Colorado Ave.) drive east out of town and continue on the same road which becomes the Black Bear Pass road, labeled as CR648. This road will climb above some mine ponds on 5-6 switchbacks and then straighten back out to continue SE and closer to Bridal Veil Falls. The road will cross Ingram Creek and shortly after begin the series of switchbacks that take you up the mountainside to Black Bear Pass. There is some room to park at the 4th switchback for the Via Feratta route, but for the trailhead to Bridal Veil Basin, continue for two more switchbacks and finish heading south to the trailhead parking, a little above Bridal Veil Falls and the historic power plant. Be careful not to venture any farther up the Black Bear Pass Road. Beyond the Bridal Veil TH, the road is one-way to the west.
Camping
There is no camping available in this immediate area unless you pack in for a ways. At-large camping anywhere near Telluride is difficult to come by and generally not allowed. The nearest campground is located along HWY145 about 5 miles south from "Society Junction." That's the "Sunshine" Campground. You may be able to find some at-large spots on 63J south of Illium or back along HWY145 before climbing the big hill into the Telluride Valley. There are several at-large spots along the highway, but be careful of private property. There is also a campground located on the east end of the town at the town park. Campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis. These links offer more information:
http://www.telluride-co.gov/DocumentCenter/View/623
http://www.telluride-co.gov/181/Campground
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From Wasatch Mountain
Open This Route in a New WindowFrom the TH above Bridal Veil Falls, follow this popular day hiking route south into Bridal Veil Basin. The old mining road provides easy access to the upper basin area. It remains on the east side of Bridal Veil Creek and a couple of times, switchbacks up the mountainside to gain elevation. At about 1.5 miles in, the road forks, the left of which heads up to Blue Lake. Continue hiking on the less used right fork instead and continue along Bridal Veil Creek for appx. another 1.5 miles. About 1/2 mile from the previous junction, the road/jeep track will cross the creek and begin climbing on the hillside to reach a bench area below Wasatch, passing by a pair of small tarns at about 12,190 ft. Soon after, the road begins to play out.
From the two small tarns, walk uphill west, staying on the south side of the creek and head in the general direction of the Wasatch/La Junta saddle. This route will take you up a series of tundra benches with intervening rocky outcrops. You should intersect an old road/trail that goes on to cross the saddle and shortly after that, a small tarn at 12,815 ft. that shows specifically on the USGS map below the NNE ridge of Wasatch. A steeper tundra slope to the south of the tarn leads west to a saddle on the NNE ridge of Wasatch. Once at the saddle, it's an easy walk on mostly dinner-plate talus to the summit, another 400 feet up.
For your return trip, either descend by the same ascent route, or hike back down to the Wasatch/La Junta saddle and include La Junta in your days agenda as well as Jackass Point for a 3-peak day.
Route Description
Year Climbed: 1996La Junta Peak is the middle part of a sequence of three summits which include Wasatch Mtn. and UN13,145 (Jackass Pt.) One-way mileage and elevation gain are measured from the summit of Wasatch Mtn.
Follow the trail head and approach directions for Wasatch Mtn. as far as the small pond at 12,815 feet near the saddle between Wasatch and La Junta. If climbing Wasatch first, make your ascent and then turn around and descend the NNE ridge back to the same saddle avoiding one steep, rocky section along the way by staying right of the ridge crest. From the saddle at 12,860 ft., begin your ascent of La Junta walking steeply up over loose rocks (talus) and gravel at times for the 620 feet to the summit.
From the summit of La Junta, either continue north to Jackass Point or if done for the day, return to the Wasatch/La Junta saddle and hike back out to the Bridal Veil trailhead.
Additional BETA
Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful. -
