How Difficult Is Climbing Longs Peak?

Compared to climbing other mountains around Colorado, Longs Peak is tricky, but it’s far from impossible. It actually ranks

around 15 when it comes to Colorado’s most difficult mountains above 14,000 feet

. That rank of 15 comes on a list of more than 50 peaks.

How long does it take to hike to the top of Longs Peak?

Attempting the summit in the afternoon greatly increases your risk – the round-trip from the Longs Peak Trailhead averages

10 to 15 hours

.

Is climbing a 14er hard?

The first half-mile of almost every 14er is super tough

. It is steep, you are at a high altitude and you are just getting warm. Your mind will tell you that you can’t do it, but if you push for a bit longer, you will discover that it gets easier.

What is the easiest route up Longs Peak?

There are many routes to get to the Longs Peak summit, but the

Keyhole Route

is the most popular. The route was named “Keyhole” for its passage through the the keyhole, a break in the peak’s rocky ridges.

Is Longs Peak difficult?

Compared to climbing other mountains around Colorado,

Longs Peak is tricky, but it’s far from impossible

. It actually ranks around 15 when it comes to Colorado’s most difficult mountains above 14,000 feet.

Is Longs Peak easy?

While it is

not as difficult as the toughest 14er summits

(Little Bear Peak, Capitol Peak, Crestone Needle, Sunlight Peak), Longs has plenty of difficult, class 3 scrambling. Even though the route is well marked, it’s still possible to get off track.

How steep is Longs Peak?

Longs Peak is difficult.

That means you’re gaining

around 700 feet per mile

…it adds up. Note: due to the amount of scrambling on this climb, you won’t have a traditional trail for a large chunk of the route. Instead, you’ll follow Colorado “C” icons that have been painted on the rock.

How steep is the homestretch Longs Peak?

The Homestretch to the Summit

Scramble up diagonally cracks on steep granite slabs for

300 feet

, using lots of good handholds and footholds. Follow the painted route markers to keep the difficulty at Class 3.

Can I hike Longs Peak?

A successful hike up Longs Peak via the popular Keyhole Route requires a pre-sunrise start and 8.4 miles and almost 5,000 feet of climbing to a 14,259-foot summit.

Can you climb a 14er without training?

If you’ve set your sights on the summit of a 14er, odds are you’re already pretty active, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to train for the trek. While some hikes to the summit are easier than others, all are arduous and will require both strength and endurance.

Is climbing a 14er a big deal?

For solo hikers, the 14er offers an adventure without as much danger that other mountains have

. Some of these peaks offer more of a challenge than others, offering you an option to fit your skill. Hiking these mountains will allow you to push yourself and grow your skills.

How fit do you need to be to climb a 14er?

When preparing to tackle a 14er, the most essential training aspects to focus on are

cardiovascular endurance, strength and stability, and flexibility

. Eighty-nine peaks in the United States meet or exceed 14,000 feet. Many are technical, requiring glacier travel or vertical climbing skills.

What is the most difficult 14er in Colorado?

• Capitol Peak – Class 4 (Most Difficult) …
• Little Bear Peak – Class 4 (Most Difficult) …
• Pyramid Peak – Class 4 (Most Difficult) …
• Maroon Peak – Class 4 (Most Difficult) …
• Mount Wilson – Class 4 (Most Difficult) …
• Crestone Needle – Class 3 (Most Difficult)

How do you prepare for a Longs Peak hike?

1. Break in Your Hiking Boots. If you don’t have a solid pair of hiking boots, invest in a pair now — you’ll want to break them in well before you attempt a summit. …
2. Layers of Clothes for Rain or Shine. Weather conditions on Longs can change in an instant. …
3. Invest in a Comfortable Pack.

How much water do you need to hike Longs Peak?

Below is a list of what you should bring on your journey to the summit: Water: it is recommended to bring

3 to 4 liters

of water. Food: your snacks should be high in energy without making you feel heavy.

Which Colorado 14er is the easiest to climb?

Pikes Peak

is arguably the easiest 14er in Colorado, but if you are looking for a little more help on your first mountaineering trip, be sure to check out our Pikes Peak guided hiking tour.

What class is Longs Peak?

Is Longs Peak safe?

Longs Peak, the only fourteener in Rocky Mountain National Park, is one of the most popular Colorado mountains, with more than 10,000 hikers every year making the summit.

You, too, can make the summit and safe descent — if you take the proper precautions

.

Do I need a reservation for Longs Peak?

Longs Peak Campground does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov

. Please take a look at the area details below for more information about visiting this location. Enjoy your visit!

Who is the youngest person to climb Longs Peak?

Some kids have all the right genes for defying gravity. Case in point: On Aug. 31,

Stella Noble

, age 9, led by her father, Forrest, became the youngest person to ever climb the Diamond on Colorado’s Long’s Peak, when she summitted the Casual Route, rated 5.10c.

Can you drive Longs Peak?

A two hour drive starting from Golden, Colorado

the ‘Peak to Peak’ byway is open year-round

and has small service stops along the way. We invite you to read more about the unique sites you will encounter while driving and click here for a Google Map of the route.

How long is the Narrows on Longs Peak?

Time for the 15-mile round-trip averages

10 to 15 hours

. Good choices are critical! Know your limits: if you are tired, it’s okay to turn around. If you don’t feel well or the weather changes, turn around.

Can you see Longs Peak from Boulder?

The view from the impressive summit of Bear Peak is epic – the whole Denver-Boulder metropolitan area to the east, the high mountains of the Continental Divide to the west. On a clear day,

you can see from Pikes Peak in the south to Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park in the north – 100 miles apart

.

Can you see Longs Peak from Fort Collins?

The Front Range’s crown fourteener,

we can see Longs Peak from Fort Collins

and daydream about it while driving along Interstate 25.