Roaring Fork Creek.
Typical trail conditions on the way up.
Wildflowers abound.
Early morning cloud play.
Wildflowers en route to Longs Peak.
Sunrise along the route to Longs Peak.
Morning dew on the wildflowers.
Cairns make the trail once you reach the tundra.
The ascent never relents.
A heard of elk grazing just off of the route to Longs Peak.
First glimpse of the massive summit. Mount Meeker is to the left, Longs Peak is to the right.
Sunrise as the boulder field approaches.
The diamond face of Longs Peak, which boasts 3,000 feet of vertical prominence.
Sunrise en route to Longs Peak.
The junction for Boulder Mountain.
The views are incredible on the way up.
Ascending to Longs Peak.
The gigantic boulder field as hikers approach the Keyhole from the southwest.
The famous keyhole. Follow the cairns within the boulder field for the best appraoch.
Steep incline to the notch.
Know what you are getting into. This is not a route for beginners.
Marmots abound.
The mission ahead.
For last minute nature calls, there is a solar powered bathroom within the boulder field near protected campsites.
The slog up to Longs Peak.
Crossing the first traverse from the Keyhole over to the Trough.
The views west into Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Trough is a long, vertical climb across boulders. This section makes or breaks the hiker.
View at the base of the Homestretch onto the Mount Meeker traverse.
The Homestrech is a steep, vertical climb up to the summit. Follow the bulls eyes.
Looking west from the summit of Longs Peak (14,255 feet).
This crew of soldiers was up and down in 9.5 hours, but expect it to take up to 12 with a steady pace.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Camping at the Boulderfield can really shorten the climb.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
The Keyhole before dawn.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Sunrise from the Keyhole.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Glacier Basin in morning light.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
The Ledges.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
The Trough.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Top of the Trough.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
The Narrows.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
The summit of Longs Peak!
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Mount Meeker from Longs Peak.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Chasm Lake basin from Longs Peak.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
Looking south toward the Indian Peaks from the summit of Longs Peak.
Kevin Murray
Photo Date: 
07/23/2017
A herd of elk seen on the descent from Longs Peak.