Longs Peak

At 14,259 feet, Longs Peak is the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park and the only one over 14,000 feet. It dominates the skyline from Estes Park and from many points in the park, and for hikers it is a bucket-list objective. The standard route, the Keyhole Route, is a long non-technical climb that covers roughly 14 to 15 miles round trip with more than 5,000 feet of elevation gain, and includes scrambling over exposed rock in its upper sections. It is not a casual hike. Hikers usually start between 2 and 4 in the morning to reach the summit and be below treeline before the afternoon thunderstorms, which are a major danger. The summer climbing season is short, normally from July to early September, when snow and ice melt from the upper route, and conditions outside that window can be hazardous. For most visitors, the best way to experience Longs Peak is to look at it, from Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake Road or the Longs Peak trailhead, where a short walk to the Chasm Meadows or Alpine Brook gives a closer view.

If you are considering the summit, prepare carefully. This is a serious mountaineering day. You need excellent fitness, acclimatization to altitude, appropriate gear and good judgement. Many parties turn back, and each season rescues and fatalities happen on the mountain. Check the park's current guidance, study the route in detail, talk to rangers at the Longs Peak Ranger Station and obtain a weather forecast for the day.

Start early, bring a headlamp, extra layers, rain gear, plenty of food and water and a map. Do not attempt the route in snow or ice without the right skills and equipment. A guided climb with a licensed company is a good option for people who want help with route-finding and safety.

For everyone else, shorter hikes from the same trailhead offer big views without the risk. The trail climbs through forest to the treeline, where views open to the peak and the surrounding ridges. Hikers who reach the Chasm Lake junction get a stunning view of the east face, known as the Diamond, and some choose to hike to Chasm Lake itself, a longer but non-technical day. Check conditions and the forecast, and be ready to turn around if the weather changes.

Longs Peak is also a landmark for orientation. Seen from Estes Park, it rises on the southern skyline, a wide summit with a flat top, and the sight of the sun hitting the east face at dawn is memorable. Photographers can find vantage points on the way to Bear Lake and from the lakes on Bear Lake Road.

Treat the mountain with respect, follow Leave No Trace principles and remember that turning back is always an acceptable decision. Local outfitters in Estes Park offer gear advice, guided climbs and training for those who want to prepare properly.

Even if you never leave the car, set aside time to learn the mountain's story. The first recorded ascent came in the nineteenth century, and the peak has drawn climbers and artists ever since. Rangers give talks at the ranger station, the visitor centers have displays on the geology and the climbing history, and local bookstores sell guides to the routes. Respect for the mountain begins with understanding it.