Longs Peak, Colorado (with Jerry and Cheryl) - 8/27/21

Longs Peak (credit: Rationalobserver)

Jerry and Cheryl on the Ledges heading toward the Trough

On Friday, Jerry and Cheryl climbed Longs Peak in Colorado. Cheryl sent us this wonderful photo essay with their photos. The exceptions are the two photos above. The first is from the Wikipedia website which is credited to "Rationalobserver." The second photo was taken by a hiker behind them who later emailed the pic to Jerry and Cheryl. The two mountaineers impressed all the other hikers on the trail with their healthy age of 66 ... especially at the Keyhole "decision"! Congratulations!

Sunrise and City Below (Boulder?)

Starting out at 3am

Longs Peak (Arapaho: Neníisótoyóú’u) is a high and prominent mountain in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,259-foot fourteener is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, 9.6 miles southwest by south (bearing 209°) of the Town of Estes Park, Colorado, United States. Longs Peak is the northernmost fourteener in the Rocky Mountains and the highest point in Boulder County and Rocky Mountain National Park. The mountain was named in honor of explorer Stephen Harriman Long and is featured on the Colorado state quarter.

      Trails that ascend Longs Peak include the East Longs Peak Trail, the Longs Peak Trail, the Keyhole Route, Clark's Arrow and the Shelf Trail. Only some technical climbing is required to reach the summit of Longs Peak during the summer season, which typically runs from mid July through early September. ~ Wikipedia

Blob of light is Hiker Headlamps (Quite a few on the trail.)

Getting Rocky

Getting closer to the Boulder Field. Longs Peak behind us. It was so cold and windy! We stopped soon before this photo below and put on our coats. I took off my lightweight gloves to put on my jacket and exchange the gloves for warmer ones. By the time I got out my jacket and put it on, my hands were numb and I had trouble zipping up my coat! ~ Cheryl

Closing in on Boulder Field (Longs Peak in distance.)

Beginning Boulder Field ("Diamond" on Peak)

Outside of this window the popular "Keyhole" route is still open; however, its rating is upgraded to all "technical" as treacherous ice formation and snow fall necessitates the use of specialized climbing equipment including, at a minimum, crampons and an ice axe. It is one of the most difficult Class 3 fourteener scrambles in Colorado. The hike from the trailhead to the summit is 8.4 miles each way, with a total elevation gain of 4,875 feet. Most hikers begin before dawn in order to reach the summit and return below the tree line before frequent afternoon thunderstorms bring a risk of lightning strikes. The most difficult portion of the hike begins at the Boulder Field, 6.4 miles into the hike. ~ Wikipedia

The Boulder Field - Notch is the Keyhole

See the notch opening up on top there? That’s called the Keyhole. You hike up to it and cross through and head left to start scrambling on the backside of the peak. The Keyhole was crowded with about 20+ hikers either going through it and continuing to the peak or standing in the hole trying to decide if they should continue with many turning back. The wind was about 40+ mph in this spot and just hammered through the hole toward us on this side. We went through the hole, turned to the left and… ~ Cheryl

The Ledges - Heading toward Snow Smattered Gulley

The Ledges

The Ledges

After scrambling over the boulders, hikers reach the Keyhole at 6.7 miles. The following quarter of a mile involves a scramble along narrow ledges, many of which may have nearly sheer cliffs of 1,000 feet or more just off the edge. The next portion of the hike includes climbing over 600 vertical feet up the Trough before reaching the most exposed section of the hike, the Narrows. Just beyond the Narrows, the Notch signifies the beginning of the Homestretch, a steep climb to the football field-sized, flat summit. It is possible to camp out overnight in the Boulder Field (permit required) which makes for a less arduous two-day hike, although this is fairly exposed to the elements. Fifty-eight people have died climbing or hiking Longs Peak. According to the National Park Service, two people, on average, die every year attempting to climb the mountain. Less experienced mountaineers are encouraged to use a guide for this summit to mitigate risk and increase the probability of a summit. ~ Wikipedia

The Trough - Iced and Somewhat Slippery

After traversing The Ledges we head left and up the gully called The Trough. The ice and occasional snow made it very slippery.

Once you get to the top of The Trough, you head left onto the Narrows. You can see why it’s called that.

After traversing the Narrows you’re almost to the summit but you need to go up the steep, slabby Homestretch.  Stay in the cracks and hold on tight! 

Some of the wider cracks reminded me some of Bridge Mountain. 

Stepping onto the summit

Views from Summit

Back down the Homestretch

Homestretch

Back across the Narrows

Narrows

Back across The Ledges

The Ledges

Back through the Keyhole

Back across the Boulder Field

Back down a lower trail and, several miles and sore feet, legs, and arms later, the car. Then Subway! 
~ Cheryl & Jerry

Stats: 15.6 miles; 5520' gain; 14.5 hours      (Kudos!)