Centennial Peak

Centennial Peak (13062') is an enjoyable day hike with some Class 2 scrambling on the west side of the La Plata Mountain Range. The hike from Sharkstooth TH up the Sharkstooth Trail USFS #620) to the saddle at Sharkstooth Pass (the saddle between Sharkstooth Peak and Centennial Peak) will reward you with an abundance of wildflowers in July and August, both in the forest and in the alpine meadow above. At the saddle, the mountain views nearby Sharkstooth Peak, Hesperus Mountain (the highest peak in the La Plata Range), and the jagged Lavender Peak are impressive. An additional climb of 1,150 feet and 0.7 miles on a cairned social trail will bring you to the Centennial Peak summit, with up-close view of Lavender Peak.  The final ascent is Class 2-ish along a broad ridge with some talus and mild exposure.

Get there via FR 350 (Spruce Mill Road) to FR 346, signed for “Twin Lakes / Sharkstooth Trailheads.”  Drive 1.5 miles on FR 346 to arrive at the trailhead parking—road is rough and requires high-clearance 4WD.

Good photos and detail are at https://debravanwinegarden.blogspot.com/2014/07/centennial-peak-13062-sharkstooth-peak.html and https://adventr.co/2019/07/la-plata-mountains-centennial-peak/

• Suitable Activities: Environmental Awareness, Hiking, Scrambling
• Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Length: 5.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 2,160 ft
• High Point: 13,062 ft

• Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service
  Dolores Ranger District (SJNF)
• Parking Permit Required: USFS Permits & Passes
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12