LONG'S PEAK Via The Keyhole

East Face Of Longs Peak At Sunrise -- Photo By Gary Reinwald

The Keyhole Route
Before You Start: This is a BIG mountain. Many people have died on this mountain. I would recommend not doing this. Check with a ranger or some other knowledgable person and ask them about the conditions (snow, ice,...alien encounters). Get an early start to avoid running into the common afternoon thunderstorms and lightning. Another good reason to start insanely early is to catch the sunrise from above treeline as it overpowers the city lights of Boulder to the Southeast. Bring the proper gear (rain gear, ample water/food, sturdy boots, maybe gaitors). Be in shape and acclimated to the high elevation before attempting this hike.

A Story To Learn From: On my way down from the summit I crossed paths with an overweight guy in tennis shoes who was stumbling up towards the boulderfield. He was carrying an empty 8 ounce water bottle and basically begged me for some water. He was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. No other gear. Did I mention that a storm of epic proportion was beginning to form? Don’t let this be you! Start Early. I started at 3:30AM and reached the summit at 9:30 AM. Assume that thunderstorms are going to form in the afternoon. One more thing to remember: Gortex does not stop lightning! In cases of inclement weather descend!

THE HIKE

From the Long's Peak Ranger Station you can check on trail conditions and sign in to the hiker's log. Assuming the trail is open to nontechnical climbing, take the 8 mile East Longs Peak Trail which ends at the summit.

First, the trail passes through a nice pinetree forest before entering a boulderfield which will require some rockhopping and scrambling. At the top of the boulderfield (approximately 6 miles from the trailhead lies "The Keyhole". This the point of the hike that gets your adrenaline pumping! From here to the summit you will be high above treeline and should feel more "exposed" by all of the open space around you. From the Keyhole you will ascend "The Trough". This is a very demanding part of the hike and I have heard many people refer to it as "the stairway from hell". After making your way up the Trough you will need to cross over "The Narrows", which isn't so steep, but has some serious dropoffs on either side. Finally, you will reach "The Homestretch". This smooth, fairly steep section of granite will lead you to the summit. If wet or icy, this part of the hike can be very slippery and dangerous.

Don't count on being the only one on this trail or at the summit. Long's Peak is one of the most popular hikes in Colorado, but well worth the crowds.

Email: greinwald@hotmail.com