National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior Rocky Mountain National Park RockyColorado Mountain National Park Longs Peak An ascent of Longs Peak (14,259 ft - 4347 m) provides an exhilarating alpine experience for visitors in good physical condition. Safety precautions should be taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable climb to the highest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. ENVIRONMENTAL Natural hazards cannot be Ascending too rapidly to higher CONSIDERATIONS controlled; their effects on you as elevations can result in mountain a backcountry traveler can only be sickness. Breathing difficulties, mitigated. Weather conditions can nausea, headache and lethargy are and do change within a matter of symptoms of mountain sickness. minutes. Winter-like storms can This condition may develop occur at any time of the year and rapidly and the consequences are often accompanied by lightning, can be deadly. The best course of rain, snow and hail. At the first sign action is to immediately descend of a storm, it is prudent to return to lower elevations. Climbers to the safety of tree line and lower are encouraged to spend time elevations. In the event of electrical acclimatizing by embarking on storms, avoid solitary trees, spread shorter hikes at altitude. out from other hikers and seek out safety in low lying areas. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s core temperature drops Climbers will be fighting gravity below normal. It can happen at any every step of their way. In addition time of the year. Symptoms may to elevation gain, all backcountry include shivering, mental confusion travelers in Rocky Mountain and loss of coordination. Dress in National Park will need to consider layers and carry a hat, rain gear and the hazards of falling trees. Camping extra wool or synthetic insulating among beetle-killed trees is to be layers. Cotton does not retain avoided. Also, while ascending warmth when wet. the upper expanses of Longs Peak, climbers will be exposed to loose The combination of physical rock. Watch your footing and alert exertion and the cold dry air of others below when loose rocks Longs Peak will rapidly dehydrate begin to tumble. climbers. Dehydration is often a contributing factor to other, more Some hiking routes in the Longs serious injuries and ailments. There Peak area cross avalanche paths. is no potable water available on the Climbers should have proper trail. All water in the backcountry training, knowledge and equipment must be filtered by boiling or other when traveling through possible mechanical means. A minimum of avalanche terrain. four liters is recommended. PLANNING The hike is long and strenuous, with a continuous elevation gain of 4,850 feet over 7.5 miles. For many climbers, the last mile and a half will be the most challenging. Proper physical conditioning is paramount. Climbers should be prepared for sudden, drastic changes in weather conditions. This often includes rain, snow and sleet in the middle of summer. Serviceable rain gear and insulating layers are essential for a comfortable ascent. In addition to proper clothing, climbers should, at a minimum carry the TEN ESSENTIALS 1. Map 6. Headlamp 2. Compass (recommended) or GPS 7. First aid kit 3. Sunglasses and sunscreen 8. Fire starter 4. Extra food and water 9. Matches 5. Extra clothes 10. Knife It Is Your Responsibility . Arrange ahead of time for someone to notify the national park if you are overdue! Estes Cone 11,006ft 3.3 mi. To Glacier Basin 3,355m Hiking Trail To Bear Lake & Rock Ledges Glacier Basin Storm Pass Backcountry 10,250ft 2.5 mi. Campsite N 3,124m Privy Patrol Cabin W E Moore Park Granite Pass 9,760ft 1.7 mi. 12,080ft 4.1 mi. 2,975m 3,682m Battle Mountain S Eugenia Mine 12,044ft 9,908ft 1.4mi. 3,671m 3,020m Keyhole 13,150ft 6.25 mi. Boulderfield 4,008m Battle Mountain Group Site 12,760ft 6.0 mi. Longs Peak 11,000ft 2.8 mi. 3,889m Campground Mt. Lady Washington 3,353m 9,405ft 13,281ft 2,866m 4,048m Chasm Junction Longs Peak Summit 11,800ft 3.7 mi. 14,259ft 7.5 mi. 3,597m Highway 7 To 4,346m Goblins Forest Chasm Lake Trailhead and 10,120ft 1.2 mi. 11,760ft 4.2 mi. Ranger Station Columbine 3,085m 3,584m Falls 9,405ft 2,866m Chasm Meadows Patrol Cabin Peacock Pool 11,285ft 4.0 mi. 3,440m TO THE TOP Approach Equipment Camping The Longs Peak Ranger Station is Be prepared for sudden, drastic Longs Peak Campground is located one mile off Highway 7, nine miles weather changes. The following near the trailhead and is on a first- south of Estes Park, and is open items, as a minimum, should be come, first-served basis. The 26-site daily during the summer from 8:00 taken on a one-day summer ascent campground is for TENTS ONLY a.m. to 4:30 p.m. of Longs Peak: with a maximum stay of seven nights • sturdy hiking boots during the summer season. • extra wool sweater or synthetic Keyhole Route pile jacket Strategies for Success The most popular route up Longs • long pants Begin your climb before 3:00 a.m. Peak is the Keyhole Route. From the • wind and water resistant jacket in order to be off the summit before Longs Peak Ranger Station, the East and pants noon. Afternoon lightning storms Longs Peak Trail switchbacks for 6 • flashlight are common and can be fatal. If miles through sub-alpine and alpine • gloves lightning occurs, get off ridges and forest before emerging into the • hat summits. Conditioning hikes are Boulder Field. The Keyhole Route • spare socks advised. A slow, steady pace is an begins here. From the Boulder • food important key to success. Sign in Field, where the route begins, is a at the trail register. Always let a • water strenuous hiking trail. From the friend or family member know your Boulder Field, ascend west to "The expected return time. Keyhole" and traverse south across a steep ledge system on the west Backcountry Use Permit face. Ascend "The Trough", then A permit is required for overnight traverse another ledge system called stays at the Boulderfield, Battle the "Narrows." The "Homestretch" Mountain, and Goblins Forest is the final scramble to the summit. backcountry sites along the Longs The route from "The Keyhole" to Peak Trail. Permits are available the summit is marked with yellow from ranger stations in summer or and red bulls-eyes painted on the Regulations the backcountry office year round. rock. Time for the round trip Rangers strictly enforce park Reservations may be made starting averages between 8 and 15 hours. regulations. You may view a March 1st by calling (970) 586-1242 complete list of regulations at any or writing to: Backcountry Office, ranger station. Please note these Rocky Mountain National Park, Seasons particular regulations: Estes Park CO 80517. No phone Depending upon weather reservations are accepted between conditions, climbers stand the best Pets are prohibited on trails or May 15 and September 30. Sites are chance of ideal trail conditions anywhere in the backcountry. limited. There is an administrative between mid-July and mid- fee for each permit. September. During this time, the Backcountry campers must For your safety and the protection Keyhole Route is generally snow have a valid Backcountry Use of park wildlife, carry in/carry out and ice free. Climbers should be Permit. food storage canisters are required prepared to turn back in the event of all park backcountry campers that they encounter unfavorable Wood fires are prohibited in the in areas below treeline between climbing conditions. Longs Peak backcountry. May 1 and October 1. For more information please visit: Canisters may be rented or http://www.nps.gov/romo/ Feeding wildlife is prohibited. purchased at outdoor shops in planyourvisit/longspeak.htm surrounding communities. Pack out all garbage. C - Longs Peak - 4/10 - 10K.