Rocky Mountain Man
Rocky Mountain Traverse – 19 August 2024
Estimated Stats: ~17 miles, ~7,000 elevation, ~13 hours
Hike Overview: Sandbeach Lake Trail to Chiefs Head Peak to Longs Peak to Longs Peak Trailhead
Total Miles
Sandbeach Lake Trailhead to Chiefs Head Peak: Approximately 8.5 miles
Chiefs Head Peak to Longs Peak: Approximately 1.6 miles
Longs Peak to Longs Peak Trailhead: Approximately 6.7 miles
Total Distance: Approximately 16.8 miles
Elevation Gain and Loss
Sandbeach Lake Trailhead (8,360 feet) to Chiefs Head Peak (13,577 feet): 5,823 feet gain
Chiefs Head Peak to Longs Peak (14,259 feet): 680 feet gain
Longs Peak to Longs Peak Trailhead (9,405 feet): 4,854 feet loss
Total Elevation Gain: 6,505 feet
Total Elevation Loss: 4,854 feet
Estimated Time
Sandbeach Lake Trailhead to Chiefs Head Peak: 7-9 hours
Chiefs Head Peak to Longs Peak: 2-3 hours
Longs Peak to Longs Peak Trailhead: 4-6 hours
Total Estimated Time: 13-18 hours (varies based on pace & weather)
Mile by Mile Breakdown
Sandbeach Lake Trailhead to Sandbeach Lake (4.2 miles, ~2,200 feet gain): Well-marked trail, forested.
Sandbeach Lake to Chiefs Head Peak (2.8 miles, ~3,019 feet gain): Off-trail, involves scrambling.
Chiefs Head Peak to Longs Peak (1.6 miles, ~680 feet gain): Exposed ridge traverse, Class 3-4 scrambling.
Longs Peak to Keyhole (0.8 miles, ~600 feet loss): Technical, exposed, requires careful navigation.
Keyhole to Boulderfield (0.5 miles, ~400 feet loss): Boulder hopping, cairns mark the route.
Boulderfield to Granite Pass (1.5 miles, ~1,200 feet loss): Well-defined trail, but rugged.
Granite Pass to Longs Peak Trailhead (4.2 miles, ~2,654 feet loss): Maintained trail, forested.
Things to Watch Out For
Weather: Sudden changes, especially afternoon thunderstorms.
Altitude: Risk of altitude sickness; acclimatize properly.
Exposed Terrain: Especially on the ridge between Chiefs Head and Longs Peak.
Technical Sections: Requires scrambling and good route-finding skills.
Wildlife: Bears, mountain lions, and other wildlife are present.
Gear List
Navigation: Map, compass, GPS device
Clothing: Layered clothing for varying weather conditions, including a waterproof jacket
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support
Climbing Gear: Helmet, climbing harness, rope, and protection for scrambling sections
Safety Gear: First aid kit, emergency bivvy, whistle
Food and Water: Sufficient food for a long day, water and a means to purify additional water
Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Headlamp: With extra batteries
Trekking Poles: Helpful for stability on uneven terrain
Has Anyone Done This?
This specific route is less common due to its difficulty and the need for technical climbing skills, but it is known among experienced mountaineers. It's advisable to check mountaineering forums, trip reports, and local guides for the most recent information and personal accounts.
Colorado – Chief’s head peak, 17 miles, 1 day, Spring to Autumn, (Scaling new heights in the Rockies), This little-known out-and-back hike works its way from Sand-beach Lake Trailhead to the summit of the third-highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Mostly off-trail and with more than 3,048 m (10,000 ft) of total elevation gain and loss, the trek to Chiefs Head Peak is far from a cakewalk. However, once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with an otherworldly 360-degree panorama, which includes spectacular views of Glacier Gorge, along with Longs Peak, Pagoda Peak, and Mount Meeker. During the hike, you may spot moose, bears, and elk. Fun fact: In 1976, Rocky Mountain National Park was designated by UNESCO as one of the first World Biosphere Reserves.
Longs Peak, 15t highest, 14,259', Front range
Rocky Mountains National Park: (Experience a Land of Extremes!) The Rocky Mountains stretch some 3,000 miles from British Columbia and Alberta in Canada through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and down to New Mexico in the U.S. The range offers dramatic wilderness, diverse wildlife, and alpine lakes. Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is traversed by numerous hiking trails and the famously scenic Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile highway that reaches a high point of 12,183ft. Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.
Nicholas Fomera
