Mountain Project Logo

Long's peak conditions

Original Post
Josiah Cooper · · El Paso, TX · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 30

Does anyone know what the trail conditions are on the Keyhole Route up Long's?

David Ponak · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 10

Not firsthand but very snowy and technical would be guaranteed right now - anything particular you are wanting to know?

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401

Have a look at 14ers.com/php14ers/peakstat….

Most years the Keyhole route is pretty snowy until July.

Peter Beal · · Boulder Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,825
nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/…

This will probably get updated soon
Josiah Cooper · · El Paso, TX · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 30

Just to clarify, I'm looking at the hike up, not the technical climb.

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

They're giving you conditions on the Keyhole route...that is the hike up.

Jay Eggleston · · Denver · Joined Feb 2003 · Points: 21,326

Tons of snow this time of year.

Josiah Cooper · · El Paso, TX · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 30
csproul wrote:They're giving you conditions on the Keyhole route...that is the hike up.
Gotcha. I was under the impression that there is also a technical route by the same name. Just trying to nail down my beta.
Josiah Cooper · · El Paso, TX · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 30
David Ponak wrote:Not firsthand but very snowy and technical would be guaranteed right now - anything particular you are wanting to know?
Colorado seems to have had an unseasonable amount of snow this late in the season, I'm heading up that way in a little over a week for some climbing/hiking adventures and an interested in what the mountain has to offer given current conditions. I'm no alpinist, but it's something I would love to branch in to. If anyone with experience wants to educate a couple of noobs, my friends and I are totally down!
David Ponak · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 10

If you don't have an ice axe and crampons and experience with self-arrest Longs isn't the place to learn. You should stay down lower or choose something that doesn't get a number of people killed every year. Consider something like Flattop and Hallet if you want to stick to the park, those could be done with microspikes and nothing else. protrails.com/trail/44/rock…

James Kersey · · Livermore, CO · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 81
Josiah Cooper wrote: Gotcha. I was under the impression that there is also a technical route by the same name. Just trying to nail down my beta.
The technical route you are thinking of might be the Keyhole Ridge route.
But yes, to echo everyone, there will be a lot of snow right now that would make the regular Keyhole route a somewhat technical snow climb.
Will Vazquez · · Grand Junction · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 20
Tzilla Rapdrilla · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 955

You'll need skis or snowshoes to even get close to Longs right now.

James Kersey · · Livermore, CO · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 81

If you've never used ice axe and crampons but have a few days to spend, I'd go to Andrew's glacier the first day and practice technique. Then if you're all still feeling solid try something like Dragon's Tail. And in the meantime read freedom of the hills or any other similar resource on snow/ice travel skills.

Moderate snow climbing isn't rocket science, but those above are right... There are some places you don't want to be learning how to use the equipment and Long's is one of them.

Josiah Cooper · · El Paso, TX · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 30

Thanks for all the input, y'all! Given my amount of experience with snow and ice (NONE), Long's will definitely need to thaw out some before I take my adventures there! Having neither microspikes nor ice axe, the frozen surface is not something for which I am yet prepared.

If anyone is down to sport climb, we'll be in the Golden/Boulder/Eldo/Estes area for the entire week next week!

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

They are talking 1-2 feet above 12k this week on the current storm cycle.

Dave Hurst · · somewhat near Boulder CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5
Josiah Cooper wrote: Colorado seems to have had an unseasonable amount of snow this late in the season
No, I would say this is a pretty normal year, after a few on and off low snowpack seasons. Lots of rain down low and plenty of snow above treeline is about right in May. Makes for some great spring backcountry skiing and alpine climbing for folks with good avalanche knowledge and mountain travel skills.
Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Dave Hurst wrote: No, I would say this is a pretty normal year, after a few on and off low snowpack seasons. Lots of rain down low and plenty of snow above treeline is about right in May. Makes for some great spring backcountry skiing and alpine climbing for folks with good avalanche knowledge and mountain travel skills.
YUP! I'm pumped for this season of coulior riding and climbing!!
tim · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 507
Dave Hurst wrote: No, I would say this is a pretty normal year, after a few on and off low snowpack seasons. Lots of rain down low and plenty of snow above treeline is about right in May. Makes for some great spring backcountry skiing and alpine climbing for folks with good avalanche knowledge and mountain travel skills.
Statistically most of the state has an above average snowpack by 10 to 20 percent.
Dave Hurst · · somewhat near Boulder CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5
tim wrote: Statistically most of the state has an above average snowpack by 10 to 20 percent.
"There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”
― Benjamin Disraeli

or said much more succinctly:
“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.”
― Mark Twain
trailridge · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 20
Skied The Trough Saturday. Halfway down.
Skied the trough Saturday. The skin in is starting to get adventurous following the creek. The bottom crux is not skiable 25' of ice and rock. The coulior skied really good softened up nicely. Still alot of snow will be shedding soon. Catching the corn window is especially critical this season...imho. Overall a good day on longs.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
Post a Reply to "Long's peak conditions"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.