Longs Peak — Local services in Estes Park

I climbed this peak 12 times. Awe-inspiring views from the top and also along the way. The little stone hut by the key hole is a perfect place to leave your pack. I like to go on up with just a few basics and a good pair of binoculars. It's a good idea to be on top by 9:00 am then off the peak by 11:00 as thunderstorms can form quickly up there. I think most people can make it in 3 1/2 hrs. Alone, I already went from the rangers station to the peak in 2 1/2 hrs.

Edit; The false assumption should not be made that a well-fed couch potato 🥔 who just flew in first class from a sea-level resort can effortlessly trot to the top in a few hrs. However, a super-fit clear-eyed individual accustomed to achieving goals shouldn’t have an issue. I hail from the lowlands of the northern Midwest and it seems I need about 10 days in the area to get acclimated to this high altitude. For many years I heard people say how incredibly “dangerous” this hike is. True, if you dart off the side while traversing the narrows the last clue of your presence will be a long drawn-out (quickly fading) scream. If you do the same thing along a busy street you won’t even have time for the scream…. In other words, use your head and you will be fine. I don’t recommend climbing if it’s icy or raining. Also, I’m not a nocturnal type that derives much enjoyment from getting up in the middle of the night only to stumble around in the dark with other characters which is why 6:30 am is agreeable to my disposition. (But each to his own) Note: If parking is an issue you should probably pedal...

Completed my first trip to the top recently. This was an unreal experience, and one that I’ll never forget. Here’s what I wish I had known or could tell myself before going: 1) this should be viewed as a serious challenge, not lighthearted fun thing to do one day. It was very fun, but it was exhausting and at times, was quite miserable in the moment. 2) bring at least a gallon of water (I believe there’s a water spout at Boulderfield but never used it). 3) You may have heard of summit fever, but base fever is what I really had to fight off, which was the desire to get back down quickly. Reaching the top is not a time to go on autopilot, but to really focus to get down safely, at least past the boulderfield. 4) have your goal be to make it to the keyhole, then decide if you are feeling good enough to make it. The views from there are fantastic, and it isn’t worth taking unnecessary risks. 5) lastly, If you’re really feeling fatigue or are afraid of what’s next at the keyhole, don’t push it. It only gets exponentially harder, more technical, and far more dangerous if you’re not feeling 100% ready mentally and physically.

I’m sure others have their advice/opinions, these are just my thoughts. If you decide to do it, great! If not, also great! Enjoy the challenges within your limits. Whether you make it to the top or just past the tree line, it’s is a...

Started at 0230 and wrapped up around noon. I was making great time until I got lost after the Keyhole. After figuring out I wasted an hour climbing up only to realize the trail was below me (those bullseyes can be hard to spot in the dark!) I got back on track and was moving along nicely… until the Trough and Homestretch. It was slow going in those two sections for me, both on the way up and coming down.

I’ve never had altitude issues on any trip until this hike. Spending only a half day acclimating from sea level, hiking 6 miles the afternoon before, and getting 3 hours of shoddy sleep isn’t the brightest set of moves to prep for a tough hike. Cramping, headaches, sucking wind.. but I have experience with long hikes that gain a lot of elevation and am in decent shape so I pushed through. The Keyhole route isn’t a technical climb and I didn’t feel that any parts were too sketchy, but on the way back down I saw a lot of folks who clearly weren’t in shape for this or vastly underestimated their fear of heights in the narrows areas. Just prepare smarter than I did and you’ll have a...