"Estes Skyline High Route"

Intro

This is a trip report for a high route traverse of the entire RMNP skyline as seen from Estes Park, starting with Mummy Mountain and ending with Longs Peak. Nate came up with the idea of the route after years of staring at it from his front porch. As far as Nate or I know this awesome traverse has never been done in a single trip.

The route took us over about 50 miles of cross country terrain over the course of 3.5 days, staying mostly at 12,000-14,000 feet close to the ridgeline. There are 19 major summits along the way, 14 of which we officially summited and the rest of which we skirted a few hundred feet below the summits. The terrain for the first two days was a lot of 3rd class scrambling interspersed with 2nd class cross-country romps and section of trail, while the terrain on the last day was more rugged entailing scrambling up to 5.5. Trekking through the mountains, camping out up high, and exploring new terrain is a pretty awesome way to spend a few days. Plus, what better way to get in peak shape for alpine climbing than to do a 3-day cross-country hike at 12,000-14,000 feet? 

Nate and I first attempted the trip in June 2020, but on the third day we made the tough decision to turn around at Powell Peak, since early summer conditions and building thunderheads didn't look favorable for continuing onto the most rugged section of the traverse. The following week, I scoped out this section of the traverse during a solo day out on the "A Walk in the Park" Traverse from Thatchtop to Half Mountain, which included the entire technical section from Powell to Longs. Four weeks after our first attempt of the Estes Skyline High Route, with a good forecast and knowledge of every section of the route, Nate and I executed the traverse. And an amazing trip it was!

Nate and I thoroughly enjoyed this athletic adventure traversing the Estes skyline. Thanks Nate for inviting me along on this awesome adventure you dreamed up!

Scroll below for two trip reports complete with maps, stats, and lots of photos.

INTRO

This is a trip report for our first attempt at the Estes Skyline High Route, which ended at Powell when early summer conditions and building thunderheads did not look favorable to continue onto the most rugged section of the route.

Some of my highlights: the view from the top of Mummy of all the terrain to come, passing bikers as we hiked up Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center, the frantic scramble to set up a waterproof shelter beside the trail and getting it up just seconds before a thundershower let loose, the beautiful hike over the Flattop Plateau, constructing and then enjoying comfortable seats at our third camp, a dramatic sunset from the summit of Taylor, the rugged view from the top of Powell, and the overly friendly guy who asked a lot of questions who gave us a ride back to Estes Park.

Below are a map and a google earth overlay of our route. Below that are a selection of photos from the trip, broken down by day. Enjoy!

PHOTOS

INTRO

This is a trip report for our successful second attempt at the Estes Skyline High Route, all the way from Mummy to Meeker. What an amazing trip. 

Below are a map and a google earth overlay of our route. Below that are a selection of photos from the trip, broken down by day. Enjoy!

PHOTOS

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