Gold and Silver

Longs Peak (center) and Mount Meeker (left) are the first and second-highest mountains in Rocky Mountain NP.

A Closer View

Longs Peak (right) is the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain NP at 14,259 feet, the only “fourteener” in the park, and one of the favorite climbs in Colorado.  Mount Meeker (left) stands at 13,911 feet and is the second-highest mountain.  The chiseled north face of Mount Meeker combines with the 2,000′ sheer granite east face of Longs Peak to form a dramatic cirque with Chasm Lake at its base.  We didn’t get a chance to hike to Chasm Lake on this trip due to weather, but it’ll be one of the first hikes on our return trip.  Notice “The Notch,” a 200-foot dimple in the southeast ridge of Longs Peak.

Ubiquitous

Longs Peak is visible from pretty much every ridge and many of the valleys in the park.  You’d be surprised how often you look up and there it is.

Longs Peak

Many people successfully climb Longs Peak each year, but there are also numerous accidents and occasional deaths.  To reach the top and return below treeline early enough to avoid bad weather, clouds and high winds, you usually have to start your hike before the sun rises and try to be off the summit by noon.

Cloud Collector

Water vapor is pushed up Longs Peak and condenses into clouds, which frequently obscure the summit.

Mount Meeker

Mount Meeker is a challenging technical hike for experienced climbers.

Next: Estes Cone >>