Longs Peak
Longs Peak, an overwhelming peak along the jagged profile of Rocky Mountain National Park, is probably the most popular of fourteeners in Colorado. The trailhead is easily accessible and well marked from an access road off Highway 7, just north of Allenspark, CO. Hikers and climbers usually begin their ascent early morning, no later than 3 am, to avoid thunderstorms that often surround Colorado peaks on summer afternoons.
From the Colorado River valley floor, the ridges of Longs Peak stick out amongst its neighbors. To many the southern ridge resembles a beaver climbing a mountain. The northeastern view reveals a 1700 foot cliff face known as the Diamond. The summit provides almost enough space to play a professional football game.
Although popular, the climb up Longs Peak isn't easy. From the trailhead, the most common route, called the Keyhole route, winds and scrambles 7.5 miles from 9,400 feet to its towering summit at 14,255 feet. Other major routes up Longs Peak, especially up the Diamond, are fairly technical and recommended for experienced climbers only. Although John Wesley Powell takes credit for first ascent in 1868, Native Americans supposedly spent many hours atop Longs Peak summit before him. The rough climb up Longs Peak is well worth the energy.
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