Looking to take the guided trip of your life and summit Longs Peak, Colorado’s most infamous 14er?Look no further than Kirks Mountain Adventures. Factors such as weather, late starts, and underestimating the physical fitness needed for the hike all play into this number. Make sure you are hydrated and fueled! To return, retrace your route back to Longs Peak Trailhead. With its broad, flat, summit and expansive views, it is easy to forget your day is far from done after summiting. Nick Sangetta hikes Longs Peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado on August 29, 2018. Even at a quick clip, Longs can take 10 hours to hike and many people will spend 12 - 15 hours on the mountain. Always remember to error on the side of caution and heed a hikers well-known saying: the mountain is not going anywhere; it will be here another day. The infamous keyhole, which leads to the only non-technical route up Longs Peak, is now visible directly ahead at the top of the boulder field. Lady Washington - 2 Hike all the way to Granite Pass to reach another trail junction. The flat-topped monarch is seen from almost anywhere in the park. Critical sections of the Keyhole Route are often snow-covered until midsummer, so most climbers should aim for late July through early September. Not reaching the summit shouldn’t be considered a failure. Where is the Longs Peak trailhead? Longs Pass Hike Info. Descending the homestretch is perhaps the most unnerving and difficult part of the day. Dominating the skyline, and topping out at 14,259 feet, Longs is the ultimate adventure for enthusiastic hikers. For those looking for thrilling scrambling from the start, Longs is sure to disappoint. Before passing through the keyhole, check for storm clouds building on the horizon. Even fit hikers should give themselves 12 hours round trip. This is an extreme day hike for you adventurous travelers! The hike starts at the Longs Peak Trailhead. Many people will learn a great deal about themselves and the mountain in the process and go on to successfully summit at a later date. It’s now time for Longs Peak, Aug. 28. Colorado 14ers: Longs Peak via Keyhole Route Hike Information & Review - 14er FINISHER! Longs Peak Art Print - Rocky Mountain National Park, RMNP, Longs Peak Poster, Longs Peak Art Print, Longs Peak art, Wall Art, 14er TMBtent. The group has hiked Horsetooth Rock, Ouzel Falls, Twin Sisters Peak, Hallett Peak, Clark Peak and Hagues Peak. 5 out of 5 stars (100) 100 reviews $ 32.50 FREE shipping Only 1 left Favorite Add to Estes Park Colorado Poster ColoradoPosters. The silver lining? Get Ready for the Hike of a Lifetime. If it looks like you won’t reach the summit by 10 AM, consider coming back another day. Done as a single day outing, the standard Keyhole route on Longs entails 15+ miles of hiking, 5,000 ft. of elevation gain, exposed scrambling with fall-risk potential, and difficult terrain above treeline, where storms roar in with regularity. At Chasm Lake Trail Junction, grab a quick snack and soak in views of Longs 18-acre granite face known as the Diamond. Stay left on the East Longs Peak Trail and switchback up and easy slope to reach the north end of the Boulder Field, near 12,400'. There are many spectacular ways to summit Long's Peak, and this description highlights the "standard" Keyhole Route. The hike then enters the boulder field, a large relatively flat field of boulders where a few backcountry campsites reside. Live like a Boulder local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. Longs Peak (Arapaho: Neníisótoyóú’u) is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Enter RMNP at the Wild Basin Entrance south of Estes Park. Most hikers typically begin before dawn, since afternoon thunderstorms usually roll in around 12 or 1 pm and can be life threatening above tree line. It is unquestionably the monarch of the Front Range and northern Colorado. Done as a single day outing, the standard Keyhole route on Longs entails 15+ miles of hiking, 5,000 ft. of elevation gain, exposed scrambling with fall-risk potential, and difficult terrain above treeline, where storms roar in with regularity. Two rules come into play when hiking Longs: Start early and drink more water than you think necessary. A general rule is that you don’t want to be starting the Keyhole portion of the hike after 6 AM—it’s 5.5 miles from the parking lot on a long trail and a big boulder field before arriving at this locale. Over 10 total miles of the 15-mile Keyhole route involve hoofing it on the class 2 hiking trail. Sometimes this may not be apparent to the hiker, but these rangers know what they are talking about—and they prefer everyone stays safe. When is the best time to hike Longs Peak? As you ascend the trough, don't forget to turn around for some of the best views in the Park of Glacier Gorge to the North. In 2014, over twenty people were hit by lightning in Rocky Mountain National Park, resulting in two fatalities. The north and east faces of Longs come into view, as well as Storm Peak … Past this point the trail is fully exposed and can be dangerous if a thunderstorm rolls in. Longs Peak from Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park. Physical conditioning is important, but so is the mental aspect. There are a few designated camp spots in the boulder field but they are tough to secure. You see unusual rock formations and a small lake with a beach. Iconic Longs Peak (14,259') is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado's 15th highest summit, and the northern most 14,000' peak in the Rocky Mountains. The hike is limited to 20 people. The journey starts from the Longs Peak Trailhead located along CO-7 10.2 miles from Estes Park. Don't be fooled though, it's not a walk in the park. Hike three uncrowded trails in Rocky Mountain National Park: Sky Pond, Moraine Park to Bear Lake, and the Tonahutu Creek/North Inlet Loop. Caution and good judgement is highly recomm… Because the hike is so long and because afternoon storms tend to be such a risk factor, most hikers start the trek up Longs Peak at around 3 in the morning. First, the route winds uphill through dense forest for several miles. The Rundown to Longs Peak: Two rules come into play when hiking Longs: Start early and drink more water than you think necessary. Day hikers planning to summit Longs Peak usually arrive between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Longs Peak is something of a legendary Colorado climb / hike. ... Take water, rain gear, warm clothing and food on this very popular and strenuous hike. Unless they already have a lot of mountain experience under their belts, especially at higher altitudes, Longs can be a rude awakening. Where to Hideout during a Charleston Rainstorm, Enjoying South Alabama’s Best Tent Camping This Fall, Excellent (and Easy) Camping near DC That's Perfect for Labor Day, Surfing, Tubing, and Kayaking in the Midst of Hellastorm, Big Family Fun Without the Big Price Tag (Or Hours in the Car). This is a strenuous hike with difficult terrain that should not be underestimated. These rangers are experts at gauging Longs Peak’s temperament and very often, they will shut down the Keyhole if they see storms, strong winds, or rain moving in. The trail slowly ascends through twisted limber pines in Goblins Forest at 1.2 miles, following slopes right of Alpine Brook, until it switchbacks up a steep section and crosses the creek on a log bridge. Perhaps the most important lesson of all is that your are far from finished when you reach the summit of Longs Peak. To navigate, follow spray painted targets to the base of a long trough. An early morning start and being fully rested is essential for a summit attempt on Longs Peak.A twenty minute shuttle brings us to the trailhead, where your guide will distribute backpacks, hiking poles, and trail snacks. Weary legs, lungs, and eyes sizing up the difficult 2+ mile passage to the summit often decide to call it a day right then and there. Longs Peak: Long's Peak Hike - See 62 traveler reviews, 78 candid photos, and great deals for Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, at Tripadvisor. If they persist, it's best to seek a doctor. Unobstructed 360 degree views spanning the eastern plains and continental divide. On weekends, the trail up to Longs can seem more like a pilgrimage. Since the early 2000s, our Rocky Mountain National Park guides have guided dozens of Longs Peak trips every season, and know the mountain better than anyone. After crossing several small streams, the trail emerges from the trees and crosses into open tundra. Long's Peak stands proudly as Colorado's northernmost fourteener. The North Longs Peak Trail heads off to the right. We left our crampons in case there was any ice and found just a couple small patches that could be avoided. A Longs Peak Colorado hike is one of the best in the Rocky Mountain National Park. I included Longs Peak in my hiking guide Best Summit Hikes in Colorado because it truly is one of the best adventures in the Rockies. Two in the national park and two nearby. Turn right and traverse west and northwest across the northeast slope of Mt. Longs Peak casts a siren’s song over many people who are looking to test their mettle in the mountains. Longs Pass provides unbelievable views, but only after an unbelievable amount of elevation gain. It is not only the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park and Boulder County, but it is also the 15th highest peak in Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park statistics report an average of 15,000 people attempting to ascend Longs per year (by all of its various routes). Even in the heart of summer, bring warm clothes and rainproof layers. Many casual hikers attempt Longs despite the fact it is one of the toughest 14ers. From shop TMBtent. It’s around 15 miles round trip ending at a summit over 14,000 feet high. There is a small shelter at the base of the Keyhole proper, but otherwise you’re exposed for several hours. If you start early enough, chances are you will make a relatively uncrowded ascent but you’re likely to get mired in the mix on the way down. According to the National Park Service, two people, on average, die every year attempting to hike Longs Peak. It is common to see hundreds of people along the route and on the summit. Even after reaching the boulder field, do not let your guard down. This easy 2.7 mile hike passes by three named waterfalls and numerous smaller cascades and trickles along North St. Vrain Creek. Many hikers decide that Longs will be their inaugural 14er. When is the best time to hike Longs Peak? Work up to Longs and you’ll enjoy the experience much more than suffering through a long, hard day. These stats show that many people are smart enough to realize it won’t be their day—a humbling lesson Longs is adept at teaching. Rangers patrol the area between the boulder field and the Keyhole, making sure everyone is safe and offering help if needed. Longs Peak (14255') via Glacier Gorge & The Trough Feb 21, 2009 11.6 miles RT, 5200' gain ... We were pumped for the final push, which turned out to be not much harder than a summer hike as what snow there was on the Narrows was very firm. A nearby hike with views of Longs Peak is the Chasm Lake Trail. There are gorgeous views all the way along the trail and a 300-degree view as your reward for reaching the top. © 2021 RootsRated, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain areas are prone to bottlenecks, such as the top of the Trough and along the Homestretch. Start heading back down to lower elevations where the symptoms should reside. Time this right and the sun will just be peaking out across the eastern horizon. Remember, your day doesn’t really start until the keyhole. Longs Peak is 14,256 feet and located in RMNP, Estes Park, CO. Go with a guide up Longs Peak, one of the most sought after 14er’s in Colorado and the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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