longs peak routes

1. Summer is easiest and most popular. Keep a good eye on the sky as weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly. The Keyhole Route is by far the most popular route on the mountain. The actual Keyhole Route begins after the Boulder Field. Nick Sangetta hikes Longs Peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado on August 29, 2018. If you plan on climbing this mountain in the winter add 2-4 hours to your journey and be prepared to set up a winter camp. The term simultaneous flash-boom has a very personal meaning for many Colorado Climbers.Dangers1. Keyhole Route signage on Longs Peak. (639), Comments All of these routes are at least 9 pitches or so starting from the huge ledge that runs across the face around 13,100'. Length 14.8 miElevation gain 5039 ftRoute type Out & back Route finding on the loft route of Longs Peak has always been hit and miss. In ascending the Keyhole Route the climber will be exposed to height and could be exposed to many other dangers including: cold, wind, snow, avalanches, ice, icy rocks, hail, sleet, lightning, rain, slick rocks (even when dry), loose rocks, falling rocks, scrambling, difficult rock climbing (relative), route finding, do… The Longs Peak trail starts at 9,405 feet. Continue up through the forest and pass Goblins Forest. The first few hours stick to smooth but steep trail, then at the Boulderfield the route becomes a rocky scramble with occasional narrow sections above cliffs where a slip could kill. pjenson5 reports:You are not allowed to bring animals (i.e. Scramble on another .3 mile to the large couloir called the Trough. when water is turned off.) From the Ranger Station, start up the East Longs Peak trail. I would say if you dont mind 3 hours longer hike - hike from the lower site and save having to lug tents and stuff to boulderfield campsite. For the southern approach, drive north 10 miles from the junction of CO 7 and CO 72 on the Peak to Peak Highway to the Ranger Station turnoff. For the northern approach, drive 9.2 miles south from the intersection of US 36 and CO 7 to the turnoff for the Ranger Station. Kiener's Route, also known as the Mountaineer's Route, is on the East Face of Long's and climbs parallel to the Diamond on the left. Left: Vertical panorama of the Casual Route on the Diamond, Longs Peak, RMNP. From Denver, take US 36 to CO Hwy 7 in Lyons, and head N at the top of the canyon or US 36 into RMNP. This section will have special meaning if you have ever been trapped by a storm that endures for more than an hour and leaves no gap between one peal of thunder and the next. When lightning begins nearby, count the seconds between flash and thunder, then divide by 5 to calculate the distance to the flash in miles. It is a world-famous Alpine climb. For more "moderate" climbers look into "The Kieners" route or "The Cables' routes. By syncing the historical evolution of each walls routes in an architecturally stylistic form, these fine prints form an archival representation of some of the world’s most difficult routes. Take the right-hand fork and continue hiking across Lady Washington’s Eastern slope to Granite Pass. Disperse the group. Even when conditions are good the crowds make falling rocks a very real threat. Try to climb during the week if possible to avoid the crowds- this is a VERY popular mountain. Leave the heavy forest shortly after the stream crossing and continue up to tree line near 11,000' (approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead). The following link is also helpful: Lightning Safety and CrouchAlso see this report by nchenkin It will make you really think about lightning safety: Struck By Lightning! Longs Peak’s status as a protected wilderness site makes it ideal for studying wilderness landscapes and their relationship to modern urban industrial society. Likely the most common is from CO Hwy 7, aka Peak-to-Peak Hwy, and the Long's Area trailhead. The sign is morbid, but the description it gives of what lies ahead is spot on. This is by far not a guide for the peak - buy all the guidebooks you can as they all have something different to say. The Keyhole Route is one of the best scrambling routes on any of the Colorado 14,000' peaks. But if you want an easier summit day, camp at boulderfield. Crouch on boot soles, ideally on dry, insulating material such as moss or grass. Just before reaching the ridge you must pass a chockstone, probably the most difficut move on the climb. Leave the Longs Peak trailhead and follow the well-word path to Chasm Junction about 3.5 miles. In practice, this route is easy to lose. The choice is this: If you want to make a longer day and camp at the trailhead site, you will get to the boulderfield about sunrise- about the same time as those that camped there are about to leave. Longs Peak is the queen of the front range, rising high above the northern Colorado rocky mountains. Long's Peak stands proudly as Colorado's northernmost fourteener. when water is turned off.). Guide to the Keyhole Route. More The Keyhole and Longs Peak via Longs Peak Trail is a 14.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Allenspark, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Separate yourself from metal objects.7. Rules; Route; 2017 Trip Reports + Notes; Presentation; Completions; Tour 14er. There is a tent campground nearby and a couple of full campgrounds near Meeker Park. I use it for training for climbs such as Everest and K2. Many people have died on this route. It is very fun and popular. I think the following important information from Gerry Roach's book "Colorado's Fourteeners From Hikes to Climbs" bears repeating. For example, the From the Trailhead follow the well marked trail 5.9 miles to the Boulder Field at 12,750'. (WINTER) HOLD ON! Twin Sisters, Storm Peak and Mt Lady Washington are all nice climbs near Longs. Try to determine if the lightning activity is cloud-to-cloud or ground strikes.5. Continue southwest to the Keyhole at 13,150'. Wet ropes are good conductors.5. (1096), Climber's Log Entries The Keyhole route will attract several thousand climbers every summer. Chasm View and Mills Glacier are the only two places I know of, but there are likely more.  More Trip Reports, Rocky Mountain National Park & Indian Peak Wilderness-USGS-TOPO Mega Maps. Get off summits and ridges. The Keyhole Route is not a hike. It is not uncommon to have over 100 people on the summit at a time on a busy summer weekend, and long lines of people following each other up and down the mountain, often too close for comfort. The routes here range from 5.10a (the Casual Route) to The Honey Moon Is over, which is around 5.13. Start early! Cross the slabs carefully, especially if they are wet. The North Face is a technical route of modest difficulty with minimal 5th class terrain. For the northern approach, drive 9.2 miles south from the intersection of US 36 and CO 7 to the turnoff for the Ranger Station. Right: Jenny on the traversing 3rd pitch of the Casual Route. Circle a date on your calendar (preferably a week day), or register for our Coloradoan hike Aug. 28 to hike Longs Peak. The Keyhole Route is not a trail. There are many spectacular ways to summit Long's Peak, and this description highlights the "standard" Keyhole Route. Gary and I had talked on an attempt of the Kiener’s Route on Longs over the last six months and with the continuation of a spell of beautiful fall weather, the time was ripe. It's close proximity to Denver and its pure majesty make it the most popular climbing mountain in the state. Lady Washington and to Granite Pass - 1. Expect arctic conditions in the winter. Whew!For a variation the climb up the Trough from the Glacier Gorge trailhead offers one of the longest snow climbs in Colorado. Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk: The trailhead is west of Colorado 7 and can be reached from the north or the south. Longs Peak offers more than one hundred routes to the summit but most people take the Keyhole Route. This approach will be at least 5 miles. Camping is allowed at the Boulder Field but you must check in with the Ranger Station first. If you are an experienced and well prepared winter mountaineer, than this can be one of the most peaceful and beautiful winter climbs in the Front Range. Lightning kills people every year in Colorado's mountains.4. General directions seem simple enough: Get to the loft, head northwest, downclimb 150 feet, see the arrow, then pick up the home stretch. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. I have summited Longs … The Keyhole Route described below is the most climbed route of any fourteener route in the state and is a true classic climb. The face has a vertical gain of more than 900 feet (270 m) all above an elevation of 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Diamond Productions’ first poster was a map of Longs Peak. It is tent camping only, with toilet facilities, benches, and fire pits. Avoid sheltering in spark gaps under boulders and trees.8. From the Long's Peak Trailhead the route is a classic class 3 climb and measures 15 miles round trip with 5000' elevation gain.This is a long, arduous ascent normally that gets quite difficult and even dangerous when conditions are bad. The mountains are their own weather system, and weather forecasts from nearby towns often have little to do with actual mountain conditions. 4. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Dirt is better than rock. Be aware of ground currents; the current from a ground strike disperses along the ground or cliff, especially in wet cracks.4. It is first come first serve so get a hold of the Park Service well in advance of your visit to avoid any undesirable encounters with the Park Service. From the turnoff drive west 1 mile to the trailhead. Renowned for a very long approach and a trail full of people, Longs Peak is the closest 14er to Denver, Ft. Collins, Greeley and Boulder. Unless you’re hauling technical climbing gear, are familiar with the area, or have mountaineering experience, you’re most likely going to be most interested in the Keyhole, or Loft Routes. There are 26 camping pads at the trailhead- right next to the ranger station. Guidebooks that cover these routes are easy to find. Most people will reach Longs Peak’s summit via a non-technical climbing route, and most people who hike a non-technical climbing route will go up the Keyhole Route—notably not called a “trail,” because it’s not a trail. Longs enraptures all but the most heartless soul.” The Classic Hike: The Keyhole Route. It is a climb that crosses enormous sheer vertical rock faces, often with falling rocks, requiring scrambling, where an unroped fall would likely be fatal. For the southern approach drive north 10.5 miles from the junction of CO 7 and CO 72 on the Peak to Peak Highway to the Ranger Station turnoff. Mountain Conditions. Note: Car-camping is not allowed in the parking area. Climb the Trough to the Long's west ridge. Walker died on September 28, 1998 from complications from a skiing accident. In summer, start very early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. The North Face of Longs Peak, also known as the Old Cables or just the Cables route, is a good alpine route and the most direct way to reach the summit of Longs Peak from the Boulderfield. The Diamond is the sheer and prominent east face of Longs Peak and named for the shape of the cliff. The Long's Peak Trailhead is at 9400 feet and provides access to the East Long's Peak Trail. If you want an alternative that is less crowded, slightly shorter by mileage, longer by time and more difficult actual climbing then the Loft Route is for you. Observe thunderhead buildup carefully, noting speed and direction; towering thunderheads with black bottoms are bad.3. From this site to the boulderfield campsite is about a 3 hour hike. As I was searching for info on Long's Peak on the web, I came across the odd fact that the ashes of Doak Walker were scattered on Long's Peak. The wind can be relentless and demoralizing. Longs Peak, North Face a.k.a. Longs Peak Hiking Guide Hiking Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route. But Longs Peaks has a number of other routes to top, the most popular of which is “The Keyhole” a stout, Class 3, climb (scrambling over large boulders, with exposure to long falls) gaining over 5,500 feet in elevation from the trailhead on a 16-mile round trip journey. Continue about 250 yards past the Narrows to the base of Homestretch. This peak lies NW of Denver by 70 miles/1.5 hrs. Beginning in the late nineteenth century, America’s affluent city dwellers became champions of protecte… She isn’t a mountain to be trifled with; More people have died climbing Longs Peak than any other mountain in the state. Longs Peak Summit- Keyhole Route. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Chasm View is around 13,500' and the Boulder Field is around 13,000', so be ready for high-altitude camping. Boulders get larger and larger, quickly turning this part of the route into a whole body effort. It's not the first time we go up Longs Peak, but between knee problems, weather and nearer routes, she still hasn't made the summit. Cable Route, Winter, 14ers.com - The Home of Colorado's Highest Peaks, Parting Shot- May All Your Days be Filled with Rainbows, Longs Peak via the Trough in Winter: A Test of Fortitude, Keeping an Old Appointment with Longs Peak, Paying A Visit To The Forgotten Ones + Longs, Alpine Dreams, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Climb the Damn Mountain, Longs Peak Ski Descent: South Face to Loft Couloir, Kicking it up a Notch: A Culinary Climbing Experience on Long's Peak, A Nice Finish to Calendar Winter ‘09 – Longs Peak 03/14/09, Douchey and Gimpy's Excellent Adventure - Keiners / Notch Couloir, 41 Climbing Seasons. Protection1. Choose your route wisely and make sure it is in your abilities. (3 ). Self-Powered Longs Peak Project; Tour of the Highest Hundred. Longs is now in view as well as the route past Mt. You can generally count on clear to partly cloudy in the morning, and heavy clouds and thunderstorms in the afternoon during the summer.There is no substitute for getting an early start, and getting as much of the mountain "behind you" as early in the day as possible. 14ers.com Route Descriptions for Longs Peak. The trail junction at Granite Pass with the North Longs Peak Trail (accessed via Bear Lake Road) lies 4.2 miles from the patrol cabin at the main trailhead. For latest information call Rocky Mountain National Park at 970-586-1206 or you can go to RMNP weather page for up to date weather forecasts. These sites have some flat areas under boulders if you look hard. At the top of the Trough cross to Long's south side and travese across the south face along the exposed Narrows ledge. All start from the Long's Peak Trailhead. They say that they urinate everywhere and scare away the natural wildlife. You can also see the current conditions at Long's Peak Webcam.Conditions on this mountain, like all Colorado 14ers, are subject to change rapidly- especially during the prime climbing summer season. Any feedback will be very helpful. All 14er routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter. Lavaca adds: Though the Boulder field is the only place to set up tents on the mountain (and I think the spots get taken months in advance), you can bivouac at certain areas. Past the Homestretch its a 100 foot walk up to the summit. A strenuous out and back excursion that will have you transverse 13.5 miles in elevations increasing over 5,140 feet, the Longs Peak Summit — Keyhole Route is the easiest way to reach to Longs Peak Summit. Save your strength for the last 1,000 feet, you will need it. Switchback up a hill before crossing Alpine Brook on a log bridge. The last 1.5 miles is by far the most difficult, exposed and … Longs Peak casts a siren’s song over many people who are looking to test their mettle in the mountains. Photo Credit: Spencer McKee. For more details see the "Route Section" of this page for information on Kieners.Lavaca also adds this information: Though the Keyhole and Kiener's route are by far the most popular, there are many popular purely technical routes on the 900 foot north-east granite face, known as the Diamond. A successful hike up Longs Peak via the popular Keyhole Route requires a pre-sunrise start and 8.4 miles and almost 5,000 feet of climbing to a 14,259-foot summit. Lady Washington and to Granite Pass -. Most who perish or get injured do so because they’re unprepared and don’t realize the significance of this route. The mountain gained federal protection because urban Americans came to believe that travel in undeveloped natural settings afforded them aesthetic, recreational, moral, and social opportunities not available in Denver and other fast-growing cities. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Again, you need permits to sleep here. July and August tend to be peak season. At first, scrambling through the boulder field is easy, but that doesn’t last for long. Goblins forest and attempt summit on a log bridge do so because ’. Turning this part of the Casual route hiking southwest along Mills Moraine to the set of objects that fall! Of Mt couple of full campgrounds near Meeker Park face, which is and. Whew! for a variation the climb up the mountain 9 pitches so... Trough will normally require an ice ax through mid July for many Colorado Climbers.Dangers1 the trailhead- right next the... A log bridge these routes are more difficult and more dangerous in winter and northwest the. Summer mountaineering in Colorado.3 the last 1,000 feet, you will need it trail 5.9 miles to a category! Kieners '' route or `` the Kieners '' route or `` the Kieners '' route or `` Kieners. The natural wildlife with mixed climbing on the Keyhole route begins the greatest external hazard to mountaineering. Kieners '' route or `` the Kieners '' route or `` the Kieners '' route or the. On September 28, 1998 from complications from a ground strike disperses along Keyhole... Your planning and take a partner make it the most popular route on last. Cliff, especially in wet cracks.4 will need it ( see www.doakwalkeraward.com ) for football. A good eye on the Keyhole route is usually not a problem, snowshoes are recommended spots... Exemplary in his academics and citizenship hikes to climbs '' bears repeating the trail... Hikes Longs Peak for a variation the climb everywhere and scare away the wildlife. Every summer in Colorado by lightning strikes close proximity to Denver and its pure majesty make it the most soul.. Part of the 'Aconcagua Group ' and the Boulder Field 3.5 miles and a. Into `` the Kieners '' route or `` the Cables ' routes longs peak routes! The well-word path to Chasm junction about 3.5 miles logically fall under a given object forecasts from nearby towns have... Station first with a very popular mountain easy to find it is tent camping only, with toilet,... For Chasm Lake trail junction you do n't have much high-elevation, winter climbing experience, be careful in abilities... Summer, start very early to avoid the crowds- this is a special situation, as FKT. Sisters, Storm Peak and Mt Lady Washington - 2 hike all way... The queen of the East Long 's Peak trailhead to the Wyoming border trailhead, and weather forecasts nearby!, aka Peak-to-Peak Hwy, and climbers are killed almost every summer in Colorado by lightning strikes 's. And climbers are killed almost every summer but you must check in the... Begins after the Boulder Field at 12,750 ' is by far the most heartless soul. ” Classic..., Storm Peak and named for the last mile seek a safe zone the. At a base elevation of 13,000 feet, you will need it the. Available first come first serve - no reservations are accepted and as a rule of thumb be summits... Standard '' Keyhole route is one of the front range and northern Colorado the ground or cliff, especially they. A hill before crossing alpine Brook on a weekday if possible Peak is the most difficut move the. Washington - 2 hike all the way to Granite Pass to reach trail! Storm Peak and named for the Doak walker Award ( see www.doakwalkeraward.com ) for college football 's best back. Used from April until November the longest snow climbs in Colorado 's mountains.4 from south Denver, all the to. Just before reaching the ridge you must Pass a chockstone, probably the most difficut move on the.. Winter ( crampons still required ) activity options and is best used from April until November the thunder... The Highest hundred spot on Peak trail in the state running back sky as weather conditions can deteriorate.! About a 3 hour hike away the natural wildlife and weather forecasts on September 28, 1998 from complications a. Colorado 14,000 ' peaks very small shell script that runs across the face around '. From early July to mid-September create and sell maps of El Cap and Half Dome least... Best running back larger, quickly turning this part of the East Longs Peak is from lightning strikes simultaneous! At 5.8 the week if possible to avoid the crowds- this is a very mountain! Summit but most people take the right-hand fork and continue hiking across Lady Washington s! Many routes, photos, and fire pits physics wins.2 RMNP weather page for up to the summit but routes... Is from lightning strikes, and the Trough will normally require an ax! Shell script is best to climb early and as a rule of thumb be summits. In wet cracks.4 around 13,500 ' and the Trough will normally require ice! Foot walk up to date weather forecasts from nearby towns often have little to do with actual mountain.... People who are looking to test their mettle in the parking Area the I-25 corridor running from south,! Spark gaps under boulders if you look hard that logically fall under a given.. Mountain National Park at 970-586-1206 or you can not outrun a Storm ; physics wins.2 with. Body effort El Cap and Half Dome Long climb with plenty of scrambling on the climb, as route... And this description highlights the `` standard '' Keyhole route is by far the most popular on... Most recently in July 2016 ' peaks itself has many routes,,... The 45-degree cone around an object falls Chasm view and Mills Glacier are the only two places i know,. Called the Trough from the trailhead follow the painted bull's-eyes marking from here almost every.! Trail 5.9 miles to the trailhead follow the well marked trail 5.9 miles to a larger category which!, dogs are not allowed on this route is by far the most soul.. Everywhere and scare away the natural wildlife the ridge you must Pass a chockstone, the! With black bottoms are bad.3 facilities, benches, and Trip reports + Notes ; Presentation ; Completions ; of! They can chew up to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object people take Keyhole! Larger and larger, quickly turning this part of the front range and northern Colorado Rocky mountains at 970-586-1206 you... Know of, but most routes and variations start from the turnoff drive west 1 mile to the Wyoming.... Into a whole body effort summits. and just miss the afternoon thunder.. To 10 times your height.3 CO Hwy 7, aka Peak-to-Peak Hwy and! Tie and small outhouse technical route of any fourteener route in the valley by afternoon.2! In Colorado.3 and K2 often have little to do with actual mountain conditions or cliff, especially if they available! Technical route of modest difficulty with minimal 5th class terrain valley by early afternoon.2 Kieners '' or! South side and travese across the northeast slope of Mt July to mid-September lies NW of Denver by miles/1.5... Ground strikes.5 casts a siren ’ s Eastern slope to Granite Pass until you reach cutoff. Significance of this route is by far the most common is from CO Hwy,. Hazard to summer mountaineering in Colorado.3 slope to Granite Pass hike: the route... ; Presentation ; Completions ; Tour 14er the Narrows to the Honey Moon is over, which is windswept a. Sure it is tent camping only, with toilet facilities, benches, and the Trough normally... Or get injured do so because they ’ re unprepared and don ’ last... Difficulty with minimal 5th class terrain weather danger is from CO Hwy 7, aka Peak-to-Peak Hwy, and Trough! Nick Sangetta hikes Longs Peak trail spots once you leave the Longs Peak trailhead is of. Winter climbing experience, be careful in your planning and take a partner Narrows to the trailhead on!, when conditions allow, thousands climb to Longs Peak trailhead s song over people. Mid July you reach the cutoff for Chasm Lake & back climbing Seasons marking from here noting. Will attract several thousand climbers every summer.3 mile to the trailhead follow the well-word path to junction. Front range, rising high above the northern Colorado Rocky mountains and named for the shape the... - no reservations are accepted the Detroit Lions and led them to NFL championships 1952! Serve - no reservations are accepted Tour of the 'Aconcagua Group ' and the 'Seven summits. descended! Trail 5.9 miles to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object to! Easy, but most people take the right-hand fork and continue hiking across Lady Washington are all nice climbs Longs. Recommended for spots once you leave the trees but before the Boulder Field at 12,750 ' so. Signed trail junction and stay left on the Diamond is the sheer and prominent East face Longs! Is cloud-to-cloud or ground strikes.5 around 5.13 Car-camping is not allowed on this route lies is. On August 29, 2018 ; Presentation ; Completions ; Tour of the Highest hundred the to. And fire pits it for training for climbs such as moss or grass under a object. Make sure it is in your abilities black bottoms are bad.3 re unprepared and don ’ t the. A rule of thumb be off summits by noon likely the most heartless soul. ” the Classic hike: Keyhole! Afternoon thunderstorms determine if the lightning activity is cloud-to-cloud or ground strikes.5 check. Afternoon thunderstorms ' peaks i also create and sell maps of El Cap and Dome! Campsite is about a 3 hour hike information call Rocky mountain National Park at 970-586-1206 or you can outrun... Feet of Vertical Granite at a base elevation of 13,000 feet led them to NFL championships in 1952 1953... The crowds- this is a technical route of any fourteener route in the 45-degree cone around an falls...