.jpg.png)
The crown jewel of Go Wild’s backpacking trips is our Longs Peak Summit Adventure. This trip is short in days but long in adventure and reward! It’s not easy, as summiting a 14er never is, nor should be! While difficult, this trip is achievable, especially when led by our experienced Rockies guide staff. Longs Peak is the sentinel presiding over Estes Park, and the brand image of Go Wild. One of the most visible and famous peaks in the Rockies is ever present as we mentally prepare for the summit attempt on Day 3. The trail presents rocky terrain, some exposure as we are off trail at times and well above the treeline, some scrambling, and of course the elevation will make itself known, but the chance to summit Longs is worth it. Whether we summit or not, this trip represents an awesome challenge and a memory that will last a lifetime!
We will start our Longs Peak adventure by gathering at our Estes Park hotel and double-checking guest gear, pack fit, and supplies. Stopping for breakfast at a local eatery allows for a taste of Estes Park and mountain morning life before heading to the trailhead. Today is about preparing and acclimating since the trail is fairly steep, although we only hike 2 miles. We'll set up camp in Goblin's Forest, and side hike to Chasm Lake, where we can try out some scrambling skills. After eating a great backcountry dinner, it will be lights out after a solid day!
Waking up in the shadow of Longs Peak is a treat, and a casual morning starts with a backcountry breakfast to get us going. It's a short mileage day, and we will climb in elevation towards our next campsite, the aptly named Boulderfield. We'll set up camp, eat lunch while enjoying incredible views, and then look to explore the area or rest up for our big day tomorrow.
The big day is here, as we attempt to summit Longs Peak. We'll wake, eat and depart camp very early, about 3am. Our first goal is experiencing sunrise at The Keyhole. Then we make our push for the summit, which is the most challenging part of this adventure. Scrambling is required, and your experienced guide will lead the way. If we make it, it's smiles for miles and plenty of hugs and high-fives. We'll head down the mountain and lunch before breaking camp and heading to our night 3 campsite for a well deserved dinner. What a day!
After a night of rest and dreams of peak bagging, we'll eat breakfast, break camp, and hike to Glacier Gorge. A short day is deserved, but lots of beauty remains. We'll explore the gorge on the way to the trailhead to meet our shuttle driver. Lunch at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center allows guests to shop for mementos and support The Park. Then it's back to Estes Park to say our goodbyes — for now.
