Longs Peak
September 8, 2024
Distance 15.48 mi
Elevation Gain 5,230 ft
Moving Time 7:03:28
Elapsed Time 11:50:52
Pace 27:21/mi
Steps 37,946
Hiking Longs Peak in Estes Park, Colorado, is a thrilling adventure for experienced hikers (though you do find unexperienced hikers on it all the time too). Standing at 14,259 feet, it’s one of Colorado’s most iconic "fourteeners" and offers breathtaking panoramic views from its flat, expansive summit. The 15-mile round trip via The Keyhole Route is challenging, with steep ascents, narrow ledges, and exposed rock faces. Hikers pass through alpine meadows, granite boulders, and stunning vistas, but altitude, weather, and rugged terrain make it essential to start early and be well-prepared.
THE LONGS PEAK TRAILHEAD
We had read that there was no car camping allowed at the trailhead and we were not sure if we would be able to get a campsite at the Long Peaks Campground, so we agreed to meet at the trailhead sign at 1AM. For me, this meant leaving Breckenridge at 10:30PM so that I had a little lee-way in case there was a wait at the Eisenhower Tunnel. Sometimes they do construction in the evening and you’re waiting for 15+ minutes.
Due to the popularity of the trailhead it is well equipped with multiple restrooms. When we got back to the parking lot at the end of our hike, there were many cars parked along the road leading up to the parking lot.
THE HIKE
From the trailhead to the boulder field, the hike is super straightforward and gradual. The hike starts around 9,400 feet through forest, alpine meadow, and into not a basin per se like some other 14ers- but big, open space. When you reach the boulder field you’ll be greeted with a sign regarding the Keyhole. The Keyhole is a distinctive rock formation that serves as a critical passageway for hikers attempting to summit the mountain via The Keyhole Route. Located at an elevation of around 13,100 feet, it is named for its iconic shape: a natural gap between large rock spires, resembling a keyhole. Also at the boulder field, you may find people camping in this rocky expanse at 12,700 feet. Campsites are primitive and require permits, with no trees for shelter and limited flat areas for pitching tents. The thin air and exposed terrain make for cold nights and strong winds, so proper gear is essential. Despite the harsh conditions, the boulder field offers breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the perfect base camp for an early morning summit attempt if you don’t want to start in the dead of night like we did.
The trail past The Keyhole on Longs Peak is the most challenging section of The Keyhole Route, transforming from a hike into a technical, Class 3 climb. We were the first group to reach The Keyhole, and we decided it was smart to wait for someone to arrive who knew the route along The Ledges. After passing through The Keyhole, the Ledges is a narrow, exposed section with uneven terrain and steep drop-offs. Still being pitch black out, we ended up following a trail runner who was familiar with the route. It was also helpful to keep your eye out for the painted bullseyes on rocks. The Ledges is followed by The Trough, a steep gully filled with loose rock and scree, requiring careful footing and scrambling. Next, we tackled The Narrows, a narrow path with significant exposure and dramatic views. Finally, The Homestretch involves scrambling up smooth, steep granite slabs to reach the summit at 14,259 feet. For this, we followed “cracks” or “lines” in the slabs as the path up, finding plenty of hand/footholds here.
The summit of Longs Peak surprised me- it was very expansive and very flat. We had a beautiful sunrise and the weather was palatable so we took our time enjoying the fruits of our labor. The trail runner was the first person to summit that day, followed by us three. We had the summit to ourselves for about 15 minutes and then others started to slowly trickle in.
Descending Longs Peak was just as challenging as the ascent, and was a lesson in crab walking and butt-sliding down the steep granite slabs. It is an out-and-back trail, so you’re just retracing your steps back to The Keyhole. Chiara and I had helmets so we donned those on the way down. We did not wear them on the way up as there was no one above us to accidentally kick rocks down towards us, but now with others on the trail we did. With daylight, now we saw all that we climbed past in the dark. The views are beautiful and the hiking exposure was not as scary as I felt it had been made out to be online. At no point did I feel like I was in danger of falling off a ledge, but one should still be prepared to climb/scramble, and not hike, this trail.
Once we reached The Keyhole we took a break and enjoyed the sun that we were now exposed to. It is quite nice that the climb is done in the shade at this time of day. When we hiked down the Boulder Field it felt much shorter than when we ascended it, and we also took a pit stop at the privys in the Boulder Field. Another break occurred at the fork to Chasm Lake, which is about 3.3 miles from the Longs Peak Trailhead. (There is another set of privys at this junction). By now we could feel the effects of the sun beating down and were eager to reach the forest again. Reaching the parking lot felt SO. GOOD. Hiking Longs Peak is an amazing accomplishment and we were all glad to have completed it!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Summer is thunderstorm season. Start early as there is zero cover from lightning and stormy weather once you break treeline, and the majority of the hike is above treeline!
This route after The Keyhole isn’t a hike- it is a Class 3 route and you need to scramble/climb.
It is about a mile from The Keyhole to the summit. Just because you can hike a mile in 30 minutes doesn’t mean this section from The Keyhole to the summit will take 30 minutes, in fact it takes much much longer.
GEAR
66° North Snaefell Jacket | 66 North°
ON Cloudrock Waterproof Hiking Boot | St. Bernard, Exxpozed, Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co, (2.0 version) On
SKIDA Sun Tour Neck Gaiter | SKIDA
Black Diamond Capitan Helmet | Black Diamond