On a recent road trip to Colorado on September 6, 2009, we climbed Long's Peak 14,255' via The Loft.

From the Long's Peak Area Ranger Station and trailhead, 8 miles south of Estes Park, hike 3 miles to the Chasm Lake Junction. Hike to Chasm Lake in 3/4 mile and go past the privy and rescue cabin - don't go up to the lake. Before the scramble up to the lake, head south on boot tracks up grass initially, then boulders, scree and dirt 1400' to a point directly below a huge snowfield above the cliff bands. From high up the huge slope find the 10' wide ledge that crosses up and left through the cliffs. About 150 yards up the ledge, switchback up and right (west) and gain The Loft -a huge flat expanse (20 footall fields). Hike across the Loft to the west. Lose 20' of elevation and watch for a cairn. Go right around the corner and immediately drop 150' and work through small cliffs and coluoirs heading northwest. There are many boot tracks in this area. Once past the gullies in this area, hike up on scree toward the summit - now visible. At the elevation of the notch at the top of the coluoir follow another wide easy ledge left to the base of the Homestretch - the final section of the Keyhole Route. Scramble to the top.

Descend the same way if you want, although we descended the Keyhole.

Class 3, 6.2 miles up, 5,500' gain, 8 miles on descent, 11 hours

Captions on top people.

Early start.


Note the snowfield top center, aim for that.


High on the slope.


The Loft.


Summit area.


Descending north on the Ledges from the Trough.


Approaching the Keyhole.


The boulder field below the Keyhole.


North Face.


The end.