Longs Peak (Spring)
The trip report on this page represents the 22nd time I have been to the summit of Longs Peak.
I can see Longs Peak from my living room window, and one of my favorite ways to spend a day is an adventure to the summit. I have put together a "Longs Peak Page" summarizing the routes I have done on Longs Peak. Check it out by clicking the link above.
Date: April 21, 2024 (Sun)Trip Report #: 687Partner: solo
Route: The Trough (3rd, moderate snow, spring)
A fun spring solo ascent. Just under 10 hours car to car.
Intro
The Trough is a familiar part of the Keyhole Route. However, this very long gully actually begins from Glacier Gorge, and curves up and right beneath the west face of Longs Peak for about 2000 vertical feet to a high notch on the southwest ridge. The Trough holds snow for most of its length until late summer, and is completely snow-filled in winter and spring. It is non-technical (although in the spring it can have a short ice step near the base). From Glacier Gorge Trailhead, an ascent of Longs Peak via the Trough is almost a 15-mile day with about 5000 feet of elevation gain and loss.
At this point I had climbed several routes to the summit of Longs, but I had not yet climbed Longs via The Trough starting from Glacier Gorge. This was a route I defintely wanted to do when The Trough was snow-filled. So I snatched this sunny and calmish spring Sunday, when snow conditions were super stable, to do so.
My car to car time was just under 10 hours, which seemed pretty good considering that the entire 2000-foot vertical length of the Trough was knee-deep snow. I wore crampons the entire route and I brought two axes, but only ended up using one.
Below are some photos from my day out. Another spring Longs Peak ascent and a new route (for me)!
Route OverlayS
Time Stats
Glacier Gorge Trailhead: 4:00 am
Base of The Trough: 7:33 am
Summit: 10:16-10:28 am
Base of The Trough: 11:36 am
Glacier Gorge Trailhead: 1:56 pm
TOTALS: 6:16 up, 3:28 down (car-to-car: 9:56)
Photos
Approach
2nd
Start at Glacier Gorge Trailhead. Hike the trail to Black Lake, and then head east up into Upper Glacier Gorge. The Trough is the obvious gully descending from Longs Peak into Glacier Gorge.
The Trough
Moderate snow and a possible ice step (in spring)
Climb up the long gully. Join the Keyhole Route around 13,300 feet. In the spring, there can be an icy step entering the Trough.
The Narrows (on Keyhole Route)
3rd
The Narrows is a slender shelf located at the top of The Trough. In the summer you scramble across on broken ledges, then around a rib to the base of The Homestretch. In the spring ascent in this trip report, it was snow. The snow was in great condition and I felt totally safe without a rope, but definitely don't slip here.
The Homestretch (on Keyhole Route)
3rd
The Homestretch is a steep ramp on the south face of Longs. It leads to the summit. In the summer, it can be a bit slick or icy. In the spring ascent in this trip report, I booted up through deep but stable snow.
Top!
The top of Longs Peak is 14,259 feet. The highest summit in RMNP. Enjoy the view! I had the summit to myself.
Descent
Reverse the route. The Trough goes so much quicker on the way down!