Longs on a Saturday Expectation

[misterdarcy]

I have a friend who really wants to climb Longs with me, but unfortunately the only day he can climb is on a Saturday (probably August 26). I'd much rather attempt Longs during the week if we could. If we aimed to start at the trailhead at 2 AM on a Saturday, what expectations should we have in terms of crowds? I've heard about bottlenecks on the trail near the trough, but am wondering if this would be early enough to not have to worry about it, and maybe only encounter crowds on the descent (not ideal either, but I guess better than dealing with it on both the ascent and descent). Our back-up plan is Humboldt if it's going to be super crowded. Any info anyone can share from a weekend hike of Longs this summer or last summer would be great. We are a bit faster than average hiking times on most trails.

[daway8]

You won't be alone on the mountain regardless but it's extremely unlikely to actually affect you meaningfully - there is plenty of room to pass folks along pretty much the entire route, even on the Narrows if you're careful.

Only a few minor spots where you might possibly have to pause briefly as another party goes through a tight area. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Scott P]

I remember starting at 2 AM to avoid the crowds on Longs. Apparently everyone else had the same idea.

[madmattd]

2am is a pretty common start time for Longs in August. I started at like 2:50 a few days before Labor Day last year, folks both ahead and behind me. Midnight-3am or a bit after is probably the "bubble" of start times, shifting slightly depending on expected pace, actual sunrise time (most folks new to the route don't go beyond the Keyhole until there's light), etc.

On a summer Saturday it will be busy no matter when you start. Bring a helmet for the trough, 50% or more of the people out there won't have one, but you'll be glad to have one for the rocks that get kicked down that thing.

[two lunches]

honest feedback: this is one of my favorite hikes so i don't regret going, but i would NEVER go back on a saturday. ever. it was completely chaotic as soon as the loft met up with the standard route at the homestretch and from that point up, as well as the descent via keyhole, the annoyance of climbing with hundreds of people on technical terrain is not to be understated. absolute trainwreck, garbage experience to descend.

either go climb another mountain in RMNP or do a different 14er on a saturday morning

[jeffmpls]

I've been 11 times over the years, and three times this year. On my most recent climb, July 22nd a Saturday, we started at 3:10 am, summited about 8:00 am to 8:20 am and there were less than 10 people on the summit at that time. On our down climb, we probably passed 20-30 people, but for the most part, everyone was fairly spread out. Over the years I have encountered far more people, but that is my most recent experience. In June with snow, other than myself, there were four other people, but conditions were far different then. Starting at 2:00 am, would definitely put you at the front of the pack.

[SkaredShtles]

I vaguely recall going up Longs on a Saturday in the early 00's and not seeing very many people until we got to the top. But we ascended the West Face and descended the Cables...

[peter303]

You probably want to time your hike to pass through the keyhole at dawn. (6AM late August) The first part of trail is easily followed class 1 trail with a head lamp until mid boulder field. Then an obvious class 2 scramble up to the keyhole notch. After the keyhole the best ledges are marked by red and yellow dots. I recommend traversing that part in daylight. On August weekends you just follow the conga line also. One such hike I counted all the people I passed going both ways. It was almost 900. The only significant congestion was in the trough. You have to look for falling ricks from the people above you.

[bigredmachine]

You’re going to be with people all day, if you hike fast, I doubt you will run into any bottlenecks…if not maybe. Regardless you will have a great time as long as you expect alot of people

[cougar]

The biggest bottleneck is parking, you'll likely be parking a ways down the road at 2am. Last time i went on a Thursday and parked right by tge trailhead sign at 3am, lot about full by 3:30. Much less crowded on the mountain va a weekend. True for any 14er.. However, tourist crowds start to drop some by late August. It's held snow late this summer so crowds have likely been smaller.

The Loft route definitely has a lot fewer people.

[Old Hickory]

You’re going to be with people all day, if you hike fast, I doubt you will run into any bottlenecks…if not maybe. Regardless you will have a great time as long as you expect alot of people

I'm considering Longs in the the middle of September, roughly. I am a slow hiker and Longs is probably at the limit of my ability. I do understand the weather can be mixed in September. I want to go mid-week to avoid crowds. ... What's the forecast for "bottlenecks" mid-week, mid-September, from this experienced group?

[Mtnman200]

You’re going to be with people all day, if you hike fast, I doubt you will run into any bottlenecks…if not maybe. Regardless you will have a great time as long as you expect alot of people

I'm considering Longs in the the middle of September, roughly. I am a slow hiker and Longs is probably at the limit of my ability. I do understand the weather can be mixed in September. I want to go mid-week to avoid crowds. ... What's the forecast for "bottlenecks" mid-week, mid-September, from this experienced group?

I climbed Longs Peak on Thursday, 9/8/2022. While there were dozens of other people, I didn't run into any bottlenecks.