Conquering Longs Peak: The Keyhole Route
August 12, 2025
Longs Peak is a rite of passage for Colorado hikers. We started at the trailhead at 2:00 AM to beat the afternoon thunderstorms. Reaching the Boulder Field as the sun came up was magical, but stepping through the Keyhole itself is where the real adventure begins. The wind hit us like a freight train, and the exposure on the Narrows definitely got my heart rate up. Summiting felt incredible—a huge accomplishment after 15 miles and 5,000 feet of elevation gain.