Trip ideas while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
Longs Peak, the sole 14er in Rocky Mountain National Park, stands tall at 14,259 feet above sea level. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the wilderness to adventurous visitors. You don’t have to reach the peak to enjoy stunning vistas; they can be witnessed during most of the ascent. However, conquering this majestic mountain requires thorough planning, as the round-trip hike spans 15 miles and typically takes between 10 and 15 hours to complete. Among the various routes available, the Keyhole Route is the most popular one. It consists of six different sections, with the toughest and riskiest part being the 1.5-mile stretch between the Keyhole and the summit, which could be considered a form of rock climbing.
When it comes to climbing the peak, previous visitors and experienced hikers advise against making reaching the summit your sole focus. It’s important to enjoy the journey and not feel discouraged if the conditions are not suitable for reaching the top. Pushing yourself to reach the peak can be hazardous and even result in fatalities. Depending on the weather and the time of year, it has been suggested by past hikers that ice axes and crampons (ice spikes) may be necessary for a successful summit.