Longs Peak is the pinnacle of mountains here in Rocky Mountain National Park — quite literally. The peak dominates the breathtaking landscape with its height topping out at 14,259 feet. And, as one of Colorado’s many “fourteeners,” Longs is well known for its difficulty. If you’re considering the trek to the top, you certainly have some careful planning ahead. It’s crucial to prepare for the climb to the summit well in advance to ensure that you minimize the dangers and hazards that exist on one of Colorado’s most sought after peaks. Here at Rams Horn Village Resort, we’re proud to cater to folks who plan on ascending Longs Peak to make an attempt at summiting. And regardless of whether an attempt is successful or the mountain proves to be uncooperative for the day (which happens frequently!), our guests always return with cherished stories. We urge hikers to prepare for their trek on Longs Peak well in advance. From finding lodging near Rocky Mountain National Park to finding the right hiking boots, we have all the tips that you’ll need to get ready for the journey. A Word of Warning First thing’s first, let’s highlight the difficulty and hazards of this climb — we cannot stress this enough: Longs Peak is dangerous! To quote the National Park Service: “The Keyhole Route [the main trail to climb Longs] is not a hike. 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. The route has narrow ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs.” In short, summiting Longs Peak isn’t for the faint of heart, and climbers should always be prepared to turn around at a moment’s notice. Never climb alone. Never attempt to summit too late in the day (when weather conditions can change drastically in minutes). Ensure that you are prepared to climb at altitude, and you are outfitted with proper gear, food, and plenty of water to make the ascent and descent. All that having been said, climbing Longs is a glorious achievement and its trail offers tremendous beauty to hikers. It’s well worth the journey if you are prepared, patient, and careful. And, for those that aren’t comfortable with climbing and scrambling across sections of rock, most of the hike can still be enjoyed — in fact the trail is well-maintained and manageable for many hikers all the way up to the boulder field (which is under two miles from the summit). If you’re up for the challenge or simply want to navigate the hikable section of the mountain, then check out the rest of our preparation tips. Train and Acclimatize If you’re not used to long hikes or the altitude in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), then it’s wise to train and acclimatize before you begin hiking. As we mentioned, Longs Peak tops out at 14,259 feet, which is well over a vertical mile above the altitude here in Estes Park. If you’re from […]
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