Private Longs Peak Day Hike
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (9 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Famous Longs Peak!
- Views & Wildlife
- Extended Adventure
- Top-shelf Backpack & Trekking Poles
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
Anticipate a 1:30am – 2am pick up from your hotel in Estes Park. An early morning start and being fully rested is essential for a summit attempt on Longs Peak. A twenty minute shuttle brings us to the trailhead, where your guide will distribute backpacks, hiking poles, and trail snacks.
You will quickly warm up as the trail consistently gains elevation for three miles. As the trees vanish, the alpine tundra emerges and the hiking terrain lessens to an easier grade.
A reward for our early departure is reaching Battle Mountain in time to watch the sunrise crest upon the notorious Diamond of Longs Peak, a 1,800 foot cliff face sculpting Longs Peak’s east side.
Here forward the terrain turns to boulders and cliff edges. Use of hands, secure footing, and a respect for our surroundings is essential for safety. Passing through the Keyhole (a notch-like pass that allows us access to the summit), we gaze upon a new side of the mountain. We traverse a narrow edge until reaching the Trough, a steep gulley of boulders and scree rock, marking the most physically challenging part our ascent.
As the summit view emerges, so does the most exposed section of the hike. A steep, but walkable, slope leads the way to the top. After congratulations and photos we will descend the same path we hiked up.
Stopping for lunch on the way down allows us an opportunity to stare back up at Longs Peak summit and appreciate what we accomplished. Past the difficult section we descend back to the shuttle vehicle, ideally arriving to the trailhead by 3pm.
Please note: Acclimatization to altitude is very helpful for this climb. We suggest that you have spent a minimum of 48 hours within Estes Park or environs before the day of our hike.
(Important: We run hikes in almost all weather conditions and very rarely cancel. See our terms and conditions for information on cancellations and refunds.)
$280-$630 Per Person
Season: July-Sept
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
Longs Peak (14,259 FT/ 4,346 M) is the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. With an elevation gain of 5,300 FT/ 1,615 M and hiking distance of 13 MI/ 20 KM, this is one of the most challenging day hikes in the park. An average day trip starts around 2AM and will take 12 – 13 hours roundtrip.The final section necessitates hiking directly next to cliff edges and long drop offs. Portions require scrambling over large boulders and loose rock, making this hike as mentally challenging as it is physically. Not recommended for individuals with fear of heights. Must be in very good shape.
Hiking Distances:
13 mi
Backpack Weight:
10-15 pounds
Terrain:
Extremely Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
5300 ft
Heights Exposure:
Extreme
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 10-15 pound backpack for 12-14 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on extremely rugged terrain
- Hiking with extreme heights exposure
- Ascend and descend 5300 feet over 13 miles
- Wake up and start hiking very early (approximately 2:00 AM)
- Hiking on good trails in the dark (bring your headlamp!)
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
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Rates
- 1 person: $630
- 2 people: $380 per person
- 3 people: $330 per person
- 4-5 people: $315 per person
- 6-8 people: $280 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
This tour is booked on a custom basis for private groups so does not have set dates (requested dates are almost always available). Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to schedule your hike!
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Transportation to the trailhead and back (originating/ending in Estes Park)
- National park entrance fee
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Headlamp
- Water (2 liters capacity)
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What To Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Trip Logistics
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Estes Park by 7am or earlier the morning of your hike. If you are traveling into town the day of the tour, you will meet at the Estes Park Mountain Shop – 2050 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO.
Tours hiking above the tree line or attempting mountain summits will begin before sunrise. An early start is essential for safety to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Your guide will contact you approximately one week before your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous in Estes Park, as it may also be affected by weather forecasts.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
Weather in the Colorado Rockies
Being a high mountain environment, the Rocky Mountains are prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Colorado’s high country. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 71° | 48° |
| July | 79° | 55° |
| August | 78° | 53° |
| September | 69° | 45° |
| October | 61° | 38° |
Trip Reviews
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Jeff B
Great Experience
Wildland was very easy to deal with and our guide Phillip was fantastic and made the trip all about us. Overall, this was a great experience, and I would highly recommend using them for your hiking needs.
Anthony P
Great Experience
The organization, communication and actual hike were just simply a great experience. Very customer oriented.
Rina G
Exhilarating experience!!
The experience of a lifetime! Tamara was exceptional!!! She made every moment memorable with her knowledge and keen sense of knowing what each person needs were.
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