Centennial Peak

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Centennial Peak (13062') is an enjoyable day hike with some Class 2 scrambling on the west side of the La Plata Mountain Range.

The drive. From Manco it's 20 miles. The last half on dirt road. The last 1.7 you need a high center vehicle.

The route 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 on a cairned trail will bring you to the Centennial Peak summit, with an up-close view of Lavender Peak. The final ascent is Class 2-ish along a broad ridge with some talus and mild exposure.