Long's Peak
So this is the biggy, the one everyone wants. 15 miles and 5,000 vertical feet of climb, talk about relentless. It requires about 12 hours of climbing and is pretty involved. I started on the trail around 3:30 in the morning with Nancy and began the long approach. The trail is easy to see with a bright Maglite and it makes it fun to do a climb when you can't see the surroundings. About 3 miles into the climb when you clear treeline, the views are awesome, especially of the Metro Area lights that are still visable. The trail reaches the Chasm Lake Trail junction and there is quite a few places to have a rest, and believe me, you will need it. After a brief stop, we continued along the trail to the top of Granite Pass on Mt. Lady Washington's north side. Daybreak was coming and the flashlight went into the backpack. The trail continues to the infamous boulderfield where many campsites are available. From the campsites, continue on the trail up the steep rocks to the top, named the Keyhole.
This is an awesome place, looking down about 500 feet in elevation on the Boulderfield on the valley below. The route beyond the Keyhole becomes increasingly difficult, and depending on conditions, this is the perfect place for a turn around. If you have any fear of heights or exposure, one look on the west side of the Keyhole will warrant a turn around. If you feel like contiunuing, cross to the west side and begin traversing a long stretch called the Ledges. There are yellow and red bulleyes painted on the rocks here to aid you in your route finding and getting lost is almost impossible. There is really only one route around the ledges, with sharp dropoffs on the west side. Continue through the ledges to the bottom of the Trough. This is a large rock filled gully that requires 550 feet of elevation gain, all rated Class 3. The exposure is nothing to be concerned about, but it would be a long fall is you managed to slip down this section. Scramble up the Trough to the top and pass a large chockstone, which I would consider the route's hardest move. Climb around it on either side and continue to the south ridge. Once you reach the ridge, one look around the side makes the Ledges and the Trough look easy. You are now entering the section called the Narrows.
We flipped when we saw this section, but closer inspection reveals that the hype about this section is SERIOUSLY overrated. The Narrows are only about 2-3 feet wide, with some exposure, but nothing like the sheer face of the Diamond on the peaks east side. The Narrows are only 250 yards long, and very easy to get across. Follow the narrows to the bottom of the Homestretch, and peer up to the final push. There are some tough moves near the end of the Narrows. Once at the bottom of the Homestretch, ascend the moderately graded, slick rock up to the summit. Sounds easy, but some route finding must be done. Tougher rock lurks to the right. Stay with the cracks in the middle of the slope and you should be fine.
We were about halfway up the Homestretch when this lady behind us says "Ouch, I broke a nail!". Now, if you were climbing Long's Peak, I don't think that this should be of great concern to yourself. As many Class 3 pitches as there are, you should have thought ahead about that one. There are many more things to be concerned about in the Homestretch than breaking a nail. Ladies, for your sake, as well as us men, don't worry about breaking a nail on the climb. Having to organize a search and rescue to come after you if you slip on the slick rock is much more costly than a broken nail.
Anyway, continue up the Homestretch to the summit. As you approach, the large summit cairn becomes visible and you have bagged the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park. The summit is surprisingly large, and can easily hold 200 people.
We spent about an hour on the summit walking around enjoying the views. The break did us good, as the decent is just as tricky as the way up. Going down the Homestretch requires you to use all six parts of your body to brace against the grade. 2 feet, 2 hands and 2 cheeks. Believe me, it isn't a pretty way to decend, but who is going for beauty (broken nail ring a bell?). Follow down the same route and once you are past the Boulderfield, it is smooth sailing down the last 5.5 miles to the car. That is if you were lucky enough to get a parking spot anywhere CLOSE to the trailhead. We started at 3:30 and the lot was full! Continue down the trail and see what it looks like in the daylight. The trail is easy going up and even better going down, a real nice one to jog if you so desire. Once you reach your car you will appreciate the effort you put in.
Along with me on the climb: Nancy
Total Round Trip Time: 11.5 hours