Longs Peak June 2019

[Cherry]

Hi all,

Can anyone help me or direct me to a forum so I can find a ride - or a local guide - to Longs Peak from Estes Park in mid June? Will be traveling to Estes Park for my stepdaughter's birthday, and will have an opportunity to attempt Longs. I'm looking for a ride and maybe someone patient to show me the way. Happy to buy you lunch or dinner for your trouble!

Yes, maybe this sounds a little crazy, but I'll only have this chance and want to give it a shot

Thanks, Tim

[bmcqueen]

I think you’re wise to look at a guide for this. June will still be classified as a technical snow climb requiring crampons and axe this year. Quick google search came up with Alpine Institute (http://www.alpineinstitute.com/catalog/ ... -climbing/). I thought Colorado Mountain School in Estes might do, but their site only shows the Diamond on Longs.

Hope that helps.

[peter303]

The RMNP are fairly good at publishing Longs Peak conditions at this website

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ ... report.htm

I hope they update it for Memorial weekend to reduce the number who think it is a summer climb then.
An average year the trail melts out by mid to late July. This year it will be definitely late July or even August.

Three hikers died on Longs autumn 2018.

Edit P.S.
I was in RMNP this week for conditioning hikes and the snow appears average to below average compared to this time for previous years. I was able to hike Trail Ridge for several miles without anything on the road. Some years there is residual ice and snow on the road. Emerald Lake and tree part of Longs had typical amounts of snow. So I will go with an average summer conditions date- late July- for Longs and this portion of the Rockies.

[Cherry]

Thanks for your help; so much conflicting info (opinions?) about what you need or not. Reminds me of when I owned that dive shop! I appreciate the ground truth .
New question: do I need to obtain a permit - individual or vehicle - in advance? There's a chance I'll be catching a ride, or having my long-suffering wife drop me off at the trailhead.

[dpage]

No permit needed if you're day hiking from the Longs Peak TH.

[Cherry]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your help! This past Sunday, 6/23/19, I tried my luck on Long's Peak. So: first time in CO, first 14er, highest I've ever been on the ground in my life (born and raised in PA). The plan was to simply to go as high as I could given the gear and experience I had. Managed to keep up with two carrying their skis; really can't thank them enough for their encouragement and advice! Especially their caution to watch how much snow was falling - parts of the trail were buried and our footprints filled quickly.
Made it as far as the beginning of the trail to Chasm Lake, but then got nervous as I watched my recent tracks fill in with snow. Decided I'd rather turn around at that point than risk getting lost. So, call it about 12,000'. No, it wasn't 14,000, but a great experience just the same. Met a lot of great people and now looking fwd to another trip!

Tim

[nomad]

You made a very smart choice.
Welcome and glad you had fun.