Longs Peak Loop
Estes Park, CO
5.0 (13 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Famous CO Summit
- Creeks & Waterfalls
- Amazing Views
- Acclimatization Days
- Beautiful Campsites
- Glaciers & Alpine Lakes
- Adventurous Loop Route
Description
With its summit topping out at an elevation of 14,259 feet, Long’s Peak is among the tallest peaks in the Rocky Mountains and is the single tallest peak in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. You can easily see it for miles in every direction towering above the rest of the Park!
We designed the Longs Peak Loop to allow for acclimatization during the first couple days of the hike, increasing the odds of a successful summit bid. The trip takes us through a series of camps, drawing us closer to striking distance of Longs Peak. On day 3, permitting good weather, we’ll go for the summit. This trip is not for the faint of heart! The summit bid involves steep, exposed scrambling and hiking across boulder fields, possible snow banks, and steep slopes. Such challenging factors make summiting Longs Peak a proud accomplishment. The final day takes us out of the alpine and into the Glacier Gorge area to complete a fantastic point to point hike.
$1315 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 5
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 35-45 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 4-8 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 3700 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 3500 feet day hiking
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained and off trail
- Additional:
- This trip goes up to above 14,000 feet in elevation. It’s best to arrive in Estes Park a day or two early to begin the acclimatization process. Also, the ascent of Longs Peak requires hand-and-feet scrambling on steep – and at times exposed – rock slopes. There are inherent objective hazards such as altitude illness, rock fall, items or rocks dropped by other hikers, thunderstorms, heavy winds…etc. There’s also no guarantee of reaching the summit – if your guide feels the conditions are creating an unacceptable level of risk he or she will turn the group around.
Participants should:
- be very active, healthy people
- exercise vigorously several times per week
- be comfortable hiking, biking, or running for hours at a time without taking breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
Travel to Estes Park
All Rocky Mountain National Park trips begin and end from Estes Park, Colorado. Estes Park does not have an airport. The most convenient airport is Denver International Airport (DIA), which is served by most major airlines and is an inexpensive airport to fly into. From DIA one can take a shuttle or rent a car to reach Estes Park. It is a 1.5-hour drive from DIA to Estes Park on good roads.
Denver to Estes Park Shuttles
Estes Park Shuttle: 970-586-5151
SuperShuttle: 970-482-0505
Private Trips
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.3
- 4 People: Rate x 1.1
- 5+ People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
DAY 1
- Shuttle to trailhead: 20 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles (includes 5 mile day hike)
- Elevation Gain: 2700 feet
- Elevation Loss: 1700 feet
This classic Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip begins with pick up at your hotel in Estes Park and a short shuttle to our trailhead. Today’s hike is short and sweet, with only 1.5 miles hiking with backpacks until reaching our camp at the edge of a meadow. After setting up camp, we will acclimatize by day hiking to a stunning alpine lake, at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet, that offers breathtaking views of Longs Peak above us. We will finish the day with a delicious, first backcountry meal at camp.
DAY 2
- Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,580 feet
- Optional Day Hike: 2 miles, +/- 600 feet
After an energizing breakfast, we will break camp and head into the alpine for the next two days! A moderately steep trail leads us above the tree line to our camp at the Boulder Field. This is likely one of the most unique campsites in all of Rocky Mountain National Park. The area is void of plant life, surrounded by mountains, and filled with jagged boulders. The landscape has a rugged beauty unlike any other place you have likely seen. From here you will have the option of resting at camp, or taking part in day hike to the nearby summit of Storm Peak at 13,326 feet. Either way, we will head to bed early for a good night’s rest.
DAY 3
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
- Elevation Loss: 4,500 feet
Today is our much anticipated summit bid. We will take advantage of an alpine start to beat the afternoon thunderstorms. Our route takes us through the Keyhole, where we will see astonishing views of the Continental Divide. Making our way along the narrow edges until we eventually ascend the trough, the most physically challenging section. We then face the final homestretch until we reach the summit at 14,259 feet. Here we are rewarded with breathtaking 100 mile views of Rocky Mountain and the Front Range. After celebration and photos we will head back the way we ascended. Once at our packs we will break for lunch before hiking 4.5 miles downhill to our next camp below tree line. Please note: this ascent of Long’s Peak is all above an elevation of 13,000 feet and requires hand-and-feet scrambling on steep – and at times exposed – rock slopes. There are inherent objective hazards such as altitude illness, rock fall, items or rocks dropped by other hikers, thunderstorms, heavy winds…etc. There’s also no guarantee of reaching the summit – if your guide feels the conditions are creating an unacceptable level of risk he or she will turn the group around.
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1,400 feet
- Shuttle to Estes Park: 20 minutes
After all we have accomplished, todays hike will be a breeze. Dawning our packs one last time, we will head towards the Glacier Gorge area. Prior to reaching the trailhead, we will stop at the magnificent Alberta Falls for our last break. At the exit trailhead, we will reminisce our trip over lunch before heading into town to conclude the tour.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
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
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Rocky Mountain hiking guide
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Transportation for the duration of the trip beginning and ending in Estes Park, CO
- Bear cannisters for food storage
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Clothes, raingear and footwear
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
MEALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
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.
GEAR WE PROVIDE
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Bear cannisters
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Trip Logistics
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
WHERE DO WE MEET?
You will meet your guide and group in Estes Park, Colorado at the Estes Park Mountain Shop (2050 Big Thompson Ave) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins for an orientation meeting. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip to answer any questions you have, provide you with more details about your exact trip, and coordinate the rendezvous.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
START/END TIMES
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 888-804-3267 for more information.
GUIDES
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
GUIDE WORKING PARAMETERS
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The standard group size on this Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip is 4 guests and 1 guide, with a private tour maximum of 4 guests and 1 guide. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 888-804-3267Â and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined 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°
|
|
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
IN THE ACTION
Of course campsites vary tremendously by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your backpacking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Todd M.
Couldn't Imagine Doing it Any Other Way!
Couldn't imagine doing Long's Peak any other way. Our guide and the other guys on the trip, made it a truly remarkable experience. Zion, our guide, while always being super kind and considerate, was a wealth of information regarding the Rocky's, the mountains, back country life and the summit experience. Highly recommend Wildland Trekking Company and Zion as a guide! Thank you
Greg B.
Incredible Trip
It was a once in a lifetime trip and made even more incredible by our guide Floyd. His local knowledge and ability to keep the trip moving was beyond impressive. I was blown away at how good the food was and how hard Floyd worked to make sure the whole group was getting their best individual expiierence. I really didn’t think I was going to be able to do the Summit and probably wouldn’t of been able to without Floyd.
Brent O.
Opportunity of a Lifetime
The Long’s Peak Loop backpacking experience was the opportunity of a lifetime to camp & backpack in Rocky Mountain National Park and to summit the parks greatest mountain, Long’s Peak. Our guide, Zion Lea of Wildland Trekking, made this trip a safe and memorable experience. He was a consummate professional, putting safety and our welfare first, constantly communicating for optimal experience, and a wealth of knowledge about our surroundings and history of the area. Zion was a genuine pleasure to have as our guide and would highly recommend Wildland Trekking as your “go-to” guided adventure professionals!
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