Climbing Longs Peak, South of Estes Park, CO
Highest Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park
Oct 22, 2009
This eight mile long trail to the summit of Longs Peak ten miles south of Estes Park, Colorado begins at the Longs Peak Campground Ranger Station. There is no other way to get here other than by private car where there is ample parking for 150 or so cars. The starting point of the Longs Peak Trail is at 9,400 feet above the level of the sea. Hikers should sign in at the trail register just beyond the ranger station. The best times to climb Longs Peak would be during June, July and August. Be aware that freak snow storms can occur even as late as June and summer thunder storms usually build up most afternoons. The worst times to climb Longs Peak are from early September through late May when wintry conditions prevail.
Be Aware of Tiredness and/or Altitude Sickness
There are no man-made hazards on the trail but the hiker should be wary of steep and rocky climbing (sometimes with all fours) above the Keyhole at 13,200 feet. If the hiker becomes weary and tired or nauseous from altitude sickness at the Keyhole, s/he should turn around. Once the hiker is under way, he will enter a dense forest of lodgepole pines housing chickaree squirrels and Clark's nutcrackers and Canada jays that constantly buzz around a looking for food.
Sweet scents of pine woods
As the hiker climbs the switch-backing trail, she will be treated to a rich aroma of the lodgepole pine forest and the constant churning of nearby Alpine Brook. During mid-summer there will be many wildflowers at trail side including blue columbines, red paintbrushes, and yellow heart-leafed arnicas. The hiker may see mule deer grazing in the more open spaces of grasslands. As the climber gains altitude, the trees will become smaller in size. Just before tree line perhaps two miles in, Alpine Brook tumbles over steep rocks in white and foaming cascades. Tree line is two and a half miles from the ranger station and it is here that the hiker will gain dramatic views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker rising above. It is at this point that the trail divides (straight ahead for Chasm Lake and to the left for Longs Peak). At this point there is a skyline toilet.
An immense Boulder Field comes into view
The trail rises steeply through stony and green tundra for the next several miles and just one half mile shy of the great Boulder Field lies a campground. Some hikers do break their climb of Longs Peak by staying overnight at the Boulder Field Campground. However, since there are only eight sites, one must reserve a camping spot several months in advance of the climb. After this camping ground is past, the Boulder Field comes into view at six miles from the trail head. Once in the Boulder Field (at 12,800 feet), the hiker has two miles to go in order to reach the summit. The climber must scramble around and over boulders for one half mile until he reaches the Keyhole at 13,200 feet. Again it is important to note that if you are tired or nauseous, turn around and go back because one thousand more vertical feet must be gained to arrive at the summit. Bring and/or wear warm hiking gear. Temperatures up here are not balmy.
The trail from the Keyhole to the summit lies at a 35 degree angle
From the Keyhole up, one must climb up a steep and rocky slope at a thirty-five degree angle. The hiker should constantly watch his step and handholds. Keep in mind that only three out of ten climbers will arrive at the summit and not turn around. Once he has gained 1000 vertical feet and has gone very carefully the final one and a half miles above the Keyhole, he will arrive at the summit to be afforded a magnificent view eastward to Kansas and westward to mountain ranges beyond the Front Range all the way, if it is clear, to the edge of Utah.
The vertical Gain to the Summit is 4,855feet!
The hike there and back takes from twelve hours, even up to fourteen hours depending on the hiker's condition. The vertical gain from the trail head to the summit is 4,855 feet. Bring sufficient water (and energy foods) as there are no water sources along the trail. As mentioned there is one trail side privy. You can pick up a map at the ranger station back at the trail head or download one from Rocky Mountain National Park's web page.
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