Majestic Ascent at Longs Peak Trailhead

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.

My wife and I hiked to chasm lake which you must take the longs peak trailhead and trail to that destination. It is amazing! It is beautiful and I would list this trail from moderate to difficult at times. Specifically the ending scramble right before you make it to the lake. My wife and I are from Illinois in our mid-50s but in good shape. The total trip up and back was just under 6 hours. That includes a few rest stops and lunch up at the lake. It was late October. We were very lucky with the weather as it was cool but not cold. It was sunny but very windy. I'm very proud of us for making this hike. It was more than we bargained for but so happy we did it 👍

Longs Peak was my first 14er. I went up to Chasm Lake, turned around to continue to keyhole route, summited, and then went back down towards Chasm to check out Peacock Pond. Then I cut down and Northeast to some crazy boulder field with really old bristlecone pine trees! I followed the Northeast side of the boulder field, and eventually it dumped me out in Goblin's Forest, back to the main trail, and then back to my car. So much walking... Loop it if you're cool. No doggos allowed here, and it's understandable why. Don't be that person. Restrooms are around, but bring TP! Get to the trailhead at 3am to avoid missing out on a parking spot, and also to avoid needing permits (9am permits start.) And also to avoid weather in the afternoon. The road and lot are paved, trail is amazingly well kept. Honestly, it was awesome! The pictures that you see on Google that scare you out of the climb are taken at angles to exaggerate the vertical of The Home Stretch. It's a very easy scramble. The Narrows weren't intimidating at all, but the views are to die for, so if you do somehow die, at least have the courtesy to be amazed first. (I'm sure Longs is very scary in the winter/ during inclement weather.) Like I said, you're gonna want to start this hike at 3am latest to see it all like I did. The first several miles of trail are BORING, and you'll likely be coming back the way you went out. In the dark, it's at least spooky. Find a way to loop, if you have the energy after the climb. Fellow potheads be weary... there are heckin rangers about. They seem friendly, though. If you encounter a moose, definitely try to pet it. 🫎 They're friendly, too. Anyway, here's pictures of the off trail boulder field below Peacock Pond. It was the highlight of the hike;