Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park is the most frequently summited fourteener in Colorado, as well as one of the most difficult.  This peak is the northernmost fourteener in Colorado and stands out from all the rest.  Each year both tourists and locals reserve a long day (the climb day usually starts around 2 AM) to attempt the summit of this prestigious mountain. Many of the climbers make it to the top; however, many do not.  Those that fail usually do so by underestimating the class 3 climb to the top and are unprepared for the thin air that goes along with it.  For those who make it to the top of Longs, visual rewards await.  Spectacular views of the Front Range, the Wild Basin area of RMNP, the jagged mountains of Indian Peaks and many other mountain ranges can be seen in the distance. There are plenty of places to relax at the football-field sized summit.

The season to summit this mountain is short – a two-month window in summer is the norm. There are even years where the climb remains technical throughout all seasons. With routes ranging from class 3 to class 5 climbs, Longs Peak offers a challenge to many ability levels. The most common route is the Keyhole route, which is the path I took to the summit this August with friends Scott and Michael.

If you are planning to take this hike in a single day, I highly recommend starting the trek no later than 3 AM. It is a good idea to reach the summit by 10 AM, and then head back down no later than noon because of quick-developing storms that are common in this unstable atmosphere. I witnessed a single ‘harmless’ cloud turn into a hailstorm in less than two hours on this trail. Since climbers will be above tree line the majority of the hike, it is not a very good idea to get stuck in a lightning storm at this elevation.

The beginning of the trip starts out with a nice, wide trail with ample pines offering cover from the sun. It doesn’t take long for the sweat to start rolling down the temples, as a steady uphill climb forces a person to work their way up the trail. After about 2.5 miles of this sort of climb, a sign appears to warn hikers not to damage the fragile tundra.  Soon after this point there are beautiful cascading falls and a nice place to take a break.

It is not long after the falls that the trees will begin to thin out and some great views of Longs Peak and the Diamond face are exposed.  Soon a fork in the trail appears which will offer hikers some options. Hikers can continue straight on the path to Chasm Lake – to see an alpine lake at the face of Longs and the Diamond.  Alternatively, hikers can choose to turn right to head towards Granite Pass and Longs Peak.  I estimate it is nearly another mile of hiking before reaching Granite Pass, where views of the Glacier Gorge area appear.  Another 1.6 miles of a gradual climb are ahead before the Boulderfield. This popular area to relax and rest is where the ‘hike’ ends and the ‘climb’ begins. There are two solar toilets here, offering the last chance to stop for a real restroom break.

After stopping for a snack, the hike turns into a class 1 climb as the trail disappears.  Bouldering up to the keyhole is the maneuver of choice.  The pace begins to vary greatly from hiker to hiker here where the air gets noticeably thinner. The Keyhole is about 1⁄2 mile ahead and presents another resting point where Blue, Green and Black Lakes are visible below.  Glacier Gorge and many thirteeners are also easy to spot.  The trail begins to traverse down here – but hikers must be prepared to gain that elevation back once reaching the Trough. It is important to note that this is the point where if a person is afraid of heights, they may want to consider the Keyhole their final destination on Longs Peak.

When To Go

Late-July to September, the Keyhole route is usually non-technical (some years, will remain technical all year)

Trailhead

Longs Peak Trailhead
(9,400')

Directions

From Estes Park, take Highway 7 south for nine miles. A sign directs traffic to the Longs Peak parking area. The parking lot is almost always full, so be prepared to turn around and park along the side of the road.

Hike Length

7.5 miles one, from trailhead to Longs Peak summit — and 5.7 miles one-way to the Boulder Field

Elevation

4,855 foot net gain to Longs Peak summit

Hike Rating

Scenery:

Solitude:

Difficulty:

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Topo Map

Most hikers will choose to venture on, and soon the Trough appears.  This is probably the toughest part of the hike for most. Once reaching the Trough, a long uphill climb up a narrow stretch awaits. It is common for people to kick up loose rocks when climbing the right side of the Trough. Be careful and always pay attention! The left side of the Trough is quite a bit more difficult, but offers a chance for more experienced climbers to avoid the less experienced and the falling rocks. The Trough presents half a mile of climbing at a 35-degree angle. Then there is a challenging slab of granite to navigate before reaching the Narrows.

The Narrows is a section of the trail that is width of an average sidewalk (sometimes less so).  This sidewalk has a pretty steep drop off. Don’t be surprised to see hikers hugging the rocks on the opposite side, avoiding any chance of contact with the dreaded 1,000-foot decline. One last obstacle, aptly named the Home Stretch, stands between a Longs hiker and the summit.   The Home Stretch is a class 3 climb that will require the use of all four limbs. From the bottom of Home Stretch it seems like there is still a thousand feet to go, but there are only 500 feet left.  These 500 feet are at a 45-degree incline though, but that is all that remains before reaching the ultimate goal. Hikers can sign the register at the top of Longs Peak and should be sure to take their picture as proof that the mountain was conquered.

Scott, Michael, and I were able to ‘cheat’ this time around since we had a permit to camp at the Boulderfield.  This permit enabled us to attack the summit over a two-day stretch. The weather was perfect for our trip, and the adventure was everything I had hoped for, and then some!  I want to give a special thanks to the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn for being great hosts and for sponsoring this trip. I also want to thank Jesse for graciously handing over his permit allowing us to camp for two nights at the Boulderfield. Jesse, I wish you could have come!

Now it is time to sit back and relax, and enjoy the adventure that Scott, Michael, and yours truly (Kevin!), had at Longs Peak.

Contributed by Kevin Adkins
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