Longs Peak Area Trail Guide
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National Park Service Rocky Mountain U.S. Department of the Interior Rocky Mountain National Park Longs Peak Area Trail Guide Whether you stroll to an old mine or tackle a strenous trip to a mountain sum- mit, trails in the Longs Peak area offer many rewarding hours of hiking. Hike Descriptions Alpine Tundra (2.3 miles, 1445 feet gain) Eugenia Mine (1.4 miles, 540 feet gain) Hiking 2.3 miles brings you above treeline and An easy 1-hour hike to this abandoned mine onto the tundra. In summer, miniature plants offers a change of pace from other area trails. create a spectacular display of flowers. Help Remains of a cabin, rusted boiler, and hill- preserve this fragile life by staying on trails at side tailings attest to the persistence of early all times and not shortcutting switchbacks. If miners. you must leave the trail, step carefully from rock to rock. Jims Grove This former camping area is now closed Chasm Lake (4.3 miles, 2456 feet gain) for restoration. Use the trail toward Chasm Allow 2–4 hours to reach Chasm Meadow. Lake and across the bottom of Mount Lady From the meadow, follow a trail that heads Washington to climb to the summit. west, and scramble up a break in the rocks to reach the lake. When snow lingers, ascend Longs Peak and descend carefully—do not slide. Until Do not use this map and guide if attempting mid-July, a steep snowfield also covers the the Keyhole Route or other routes up Longs trail before the meadow. Use extreme caution Peak. Speak with a ranger at the Longs Peak when crossing. In early summer, blue colum- Ranger Station and obtain a detailed route bine graces the rocky ledges near Columbine description. The Keyhole Route is not a Falls, which spill over the cliffs below Chasm hike. It is a climb that crosses enormous sheer Meadows. From there, the stream flows into vertical rock faces—often with falling rocks— Peacock Pool, visible below the trail. and requires scrambling where an unroped fall would likely be fatal. The route has narrow Estes Cone (3.2 miles, 1790 feet gain) ledges, loose rock, and steep cliffs. Enjoy spectacular views in all directions from this rocky prominence. Allow 2 hours to reach Other Destinations Storm Pass. From there, follow rock cairns 0.6 Ask a ranger for inormation on cross-country miles up steep, loose rock to the summit. Pay trips, including hikes to the summits of Mount close attention: this section of trail is easy to Meeker, Mount Lady Washington, and Pagoda lose on the way down. Scan the flanks of Battle Mountain. Mountain to the west for a glimpse of elk. For Your Safety Bring the Right Gear Treat Your Water 3 Bring waterproof outer layers and extra lay- Water from streams and snowfields is available ers for warmth. (except for Longs Peak summit). Always purify 3 Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. your water—no surface water is ever safe for Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin, drinking. even on cloudy days. Stay Safe and Practice Good Etiquette 3 Pack extra water and snacks. Don’t drink • Pets are prohibited on all Rocky Mountain from streams or lakes without treating the National Park trails, tundra, and meadow water. areas. There are pet-friendly hikes outside 3 Carry a map and compass or GPS. Know the park, and nearby communities have how to use them. boarding facilities and veterinary clinics. To learn more, visit go.nps.gov/RockyPets 3 Wear sturdy footwear with good ankle sup- . port and a treaded sole. • Wilderness campers must have a valid 3 Don’t rely on cell phones. Many areas have Wilderness Camping Permit. no service. • Fires are prohibited in the Longs Peak backcountry. • Do not feed marmots or other wildlife. LPA 05-2017 To Glacier Basin To Lily Lake To To Twin 3.1mi Estes Park Sisters Peaks 0.6mi 5.0km 1.0km Estes Cone Storm Pass 11006ft Longs Peak Area Trails 10250ft 3355m 3124m To Bear Lake To Glacier Basin Boulder Moore Brook Park 3.3mi 5.3km 7 B Eugenia Mine 1.2mi o u 9908ft 1.9km l d 3020m e I r nn B ro ok n i a t n 0.9mi u 1.4km o M B e r l o t P o t i n k a e B R Longs Peak i d Campground g e Granite Pass 12080ft Do not use this map and 3682m guide if attempting the Battle Alpine Mountain 0.5mi Bridge Al Keyhole Route or other pi ne 0.8km routes up Longs Peak. Speak with a ranger at the Jims 2.9mi Goblins Longs Peak Longs Peak Ranger Station Grove 4.7km Forest Brook Ranger Station and obtain a detailed route 9406ft / 2867m 1.1mi description. 1.4mi 1.8km d l 2.3km The Keyhole Route is not a e i hike. It is a climb that crosses F i n e enormous sheer vertical rock Storm Peak r o r a M e l s 13326ft M i l faces—often with falling 4062m d l rocks—and requires u Mount Lady Chasm Junction scrambling where an unroped o Washington 11540ft B 13281ft 3517m Fork fall would likely be fatal. 4048m 0.9mi 1.4km ng Boulderfield Roari 12760ft The Keyhole 3889m 13160ft Columbine 4011m Falls Peacock Chasm Lake Pool 7 11760ft 3493m The last 0.2 miles before North T h Chasm Lake require rock e 0 1 Kilometers scrambling and route finding T r Longs Peak Mills o 0 1 Miles u 14259ft Glacier g 4346m h r d s a d DESTINATION Trail (horse/hiker) Information o i n DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN b W y mi km ft m e e h K t Alpine Tundra 2.3 3.7 1445 440 Trail (hiker only) Campground f o Chasm Lake 4.3 6.9 2456 749 Pagoda Mountain 13497ft Mount Meeker Estes Cone 3.2 5.1 1790 546 Climbing route Wilderness campsite 4114m 13911ft 4240m Eugenia Mine 1.4 2.3 540 165 0.7mi Trail distances Restrooms To Allenspark, Lyons Longs Peak 7.3 11.7 5100 1554 1.1km and Nederland.