livelyjohnb - Aug 20, 2021 6:06 am Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2021
Don't do what I did
First of all- this is a beautiful climb. Great views abound and there's plenty of flora and fauna for enthusiasts to marvel at. I started out on the Long's Peak trail. The branch off to Battle Mountain is well marked. After hiking a bit down this trail, I ran into an encampment. It looked like it may have been a research station, but either way that's where I lost the trail. Luckily the path to the peak is pretty obvious and rather fun. I took a path that bordered on a level 3 climb in some areas, but nothing too bad at all.
The trouble came on the way back down. This is my own stupidity speaking, so please take a lesson. Long story short- just go back the way you came. Otherwise you're in for a 20 mile hike back to the Long's Peak Trailhead.
So, standing at the peak I saw what I thought to be the backside of the Long's Peak trail. I hiked down to it and began thinking about where I would be having a late lunch. Thing is, it wasn't the Long's Peak Trail. It was some other trail (I think its called the Lost Glacier Trail, but don't quote me on that). It was roughly 7 miles from where I connected onto that trail back to the trailhead. Don't get me wrong- It's an absolutely lovely hike. When you get back to the trailhead, your options are to head back to the RMNP visitor center by bus then hitchhike your way 7 miles back to the Long's Peak Trailhead.
Or you can do what I did. I walked roughly a mile and a half to another trailhead then hiked the roughly 6 miles overland to where that trail connects back into the Long's Peak Trailhead. It was mostly uphill. When you've already hiked/walked 10+ miles, that's quite a task. Luckily I had plenty of water and enough almonds for some light snacks along the way. But oh my god were my legs killing me for about a day after that.
So don't be like me. Don't try to out smart nature. She will win every single time. Unless your into that sort of thing. In which case, more power to you. But, as always, stay safe, stay hydrated and stay wild!
JesseSumrak - Aug 9, 2021 12:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2021
Radical Slam
10 Peaks of Longs Peak (Nesotaieux’s Ten Tadasanas, Radical Slam Deluxe, “Sick Concoction”) — 17 hours and 10,000 ft of elevation gain. Yesterday, I completed the most demanding physical and mental challenge I’ve ever attempted. Started at 2:30am up the Iron Gates route. Climbed Meeker Ridge, then traversed the amazingly terrifying Knife Edge (I’m so scared of heights, especially 100% fatal ones) to Meeker. I continued on my lonesome to Southeast Longs, and then I got dangerously off route trying to take the Loft to Longs. I miraculously made it with sections of Class 4 (definitely 5 when I got off route) down climbing and met up with the Homestretch portion of the Keyhole. Bagged Longs Peak, then on to Pagoda. Again, off route on fatal ledges before I wasted valuable time back tracking. Found the right route and made it to Pagoda with only a brief Class 4 exciting moment. Traversed below the Trough to the Ledges, passed through the Keyhole, then meandered to Storm. Found some water to filter at the base (thank goodness) before bagging Mount Lady Washington. On to the easy stuff with Battle Mountain and Pine Ridge, then a heartbreaking hour-long bushwack to connect to the Estes Cone Trail. Climbed Estes Cone, cried for a while, and then finished the last 3 miles to the truck before doing 10 pushups (90 less the Gerry Roach demands) and finishing the most epic adventure of my life.
My in laws were in town and they wanted to get high. We decided that Battle Mountain and Mount Lady Washington would do the trick. Started at 7:00 am from Longs trailhead. It was a beautiful morning with a fun, short scramble up Battle Mountain from Granite Pass.
damgaard - Oct 9, 2015 12:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2015
bonus peak
Started 6 am, hit the summit of Longs at 10 am (Keyhole route), stayed for an hour, bagged Storms Peak and Battle Mtn on the way down. Back at the car after 9.5 hours. This trip surely makes it into my favorite top 10 hikes!
Tagged this nondescript 'bump' alongside 5 other peaks for a tremendously long day. Continued down to Pine Ridge and back to Jim's Grove.
Though in true fashion, it was pretty windy.
I had enough time and energy after coming down from Storm Peak to walk the ridgeline to the "peak" and then head down Jim's Grove.
Senad Rizvanovic - Mar 13, 2011 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2010
Late start
Late start, afternoon storm kept me from summiting Storm Pk.
No snowshoes, only microspikes used.
CSUMarmot - Aug 1, 2010 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2010
From Glacier Gorge
Its a nice little mount with lots of happy marmots!
They wont touch your cookies though, they're too good for them
cftbq - Jul 15, 2010 1:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2010
Loop from and to E. Longs trail
A quick add-on to Longs when the skies finally quit spitting rain and snow. Left the Longs descent route at Granite Pass, climbed the summit from the north, then descended S and E to connect with the Battle Mtn. CG trail, which if followed back to the main trail. As elsewhere reported, amazing views!
Sarah Simon - Jun 20, 2010 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2010
East Longs Peak Trail to Jim's Grove Loops
Nice, sunny day. Wanted to visit Storm and Lady Wash, but the team was not up to it. Enjoyed the views of Longs & Meeker, and great views of Twin Sisters.
tomlauren - Jun 11, 2010 9:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2010
Lady Washington - Storm - Battle
Hiked all three from the Longs Peak Trailhead. Many marmots were sunning themselves near Granite Pass. A gentle mountain with nice views in all directions.
Foxy Long Bottoms - Oct 26, 2009 10:08 am Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2009
From Strom
With Goatboy
Pete Castricone - Sep 22, 2009 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2009
Consolation Prize
Turned back from the Loft so looped back down and around Jim's Grove and up Battle.
JoeyBagoDonuts - Nov 8, 2008 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
It was so close i just had to do it
East slope ascent of Lady Washington then to Battle, it was so close i just had to go.
Took the Longs Peak trail to Granite Pass, then wandered around to the three highest crags near the pass. It was pretty windy above treeline. The weather cooperated: every time clouds rolled in, they would break up. I decided to go to Chasm Lake on the way back. I had attempted Chasm Lake with the CMC in November, 2003, I believe, but we had to turn back. This time I made it to the lake. Lots of people on the trails this day.
KAmmerman - Aug 28, 2008 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2008
I'm tired, but so close to Battle Mtn ... let's do it!
Cool, overcast, socked in day, but nice hike up Lady Washington, Storm Peak and Battle Mtn nonetheless.
peakrat76 - Jan 3, 2008 3:07 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 1996
East Face - Snow Route
Made a great spring snow ascent straight up the steep eastern aspect. A little scrambling once on the ridge led to summit. Perfect day + summit. (nice glissade on way down!)
heather14 - Nov 11, 2007 9:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2006
beautiful Day
I did Battle Mountain on the way down from Storm Peak. It was a great alternative to the more popular trail to Longs.
livelyjohnb - Aug 20, 2021 6:06 am Date Climbed: Aug 16, 2021
Don't do what I didFirst of all- this is a beautiful climb. Great views abound and there's plenty of flora and fauna for enthusiasts to marvel at. I started out on the Long's Peak trail. The branch off to Battle Mountain is well marked. After hiking a bit down this trail, I ran into an encampment. It looked like it may have been a research station, but either way that's where I lost the trail. Luckily the path to the peak is pretty obvious and rather fun. I took a path that bordered on a level 3 climb in some areas, but nothing too bad at all.
The trouble came on the way back down. This is my own stupidity speaking, so please take a lesson. Long story short- just go back the way you came. Otherwise you're in for a 20 mile hike back to the Long's Peak Trailhead.
So, standing at the peak I saw what I thought to be the backside of the Long's Peak trail. I hiked down to it and began thinking about where I would be having a late lunch. Thing is, it wasn't the Long's Peak Trail. It was some other trail (I think its called the Lost Glacier Trail, but don't quote me on that). It was roughly 7 miles from where I connected onto that trail back to the trailhead. Don't get me wrong- It's an absolutely lovely hike. When you get back to the trailhead, your options are to head back to the RMNP visitor center by bus then hitchhike your way 7 miles back to the Long's Peak Trailhead.
Or you can do what I did. I walked roughly a mile and a half to another trailhead then hiked the roughly 6 miles overland to where that trail connects back into the Long's Peak Trailhead. It was mostly uphill. When you've already hiked/walked 10+ miles, that's quite a task. Luckily I had plenty of water and enough almonds for some light snacks along the way. But oh my god were my legs killing me for about a day after that.
So don't be like me. Don't try to out smart nature. She will win every single time. Unless your into that sort of thing. In which case, more power to you. But, as always, stay safe, stay hydrated and stay wild!
JesseSumrak - Aug 9, 2021 12:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2021
Radical Slam10 Peaks of Longs Peak (Nesotaieux’s Ten Tadasanas, Radical Slam Deluxe, “Sick Concoction”) — 17 hours and 10,000 ft of elevation gain. Yesterday, I completed the most demanding physical and mental challenge I’ve ever attempted. Started at 2:30am up the Iron Gates route. Climbed Meeker Ridge, then traversed the amazingly terrifying Knife Edge (I’m so scared of heights, especially 100% fatal ones) to Meeker. I continued on my lonesome to Southeast Longs, and then I got dangerously off route trying to take the Loft to Longs. I miraculously made it with sections of Class 4 (definitely 5 when I got off route) down climbing and met up with the Homestretch portion of the Keyhole. Bagged Longs Peak, then on to Pagoda. Again, off route on fatal ledges before I wasted valuable time back tracking. Found the right route and made it to Pagoda with only a brief Class 4 exciting moment. Traversed below the Trough to the Ledges, passed through the Keyhole, then meandered to Storm. Found some water to filter at the base (thank goodness) before bagging Mount Lady Washington. On to the easy stuff with Battle Mountain and Pine Ridge, then a heartbreaking hour-long bushwack to connect to the Estes Cone Trail. Climbed Estes Cone, cried for a while, and then finished the last 3 miles to the truck before doing 10 pushups (90 less the Gerry Roach demands) and finishing the most epic adventure of my life.
BKiser90 - Jul 16, 2019 3:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2019
Battle LadyMy in laws were in town and they wanted to get high. We decided that Battle Mountain and Mount Lady Washington would do the trick. Started at 7:00 am from Longs trailhead. It was a beautiful morning with a fun, short scramble up Battle Mountain from Granite Pass.
damgaard - Oct 9, 2015 12:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2015
bonus peakStarted 6 am, hit the summit of Longs at 10 am (Keyhole route), stayed for an hour, bagged Storms Peak and Battle Mtn on the way down. Back at the car after 9.5 hours. This trip surely makes it into my favorite top 10 hikes!
shanahan96 - Jul 25, 2014 3:24 am
not even a consolation prizeone heckuva haymaker was closing in on longs, so no north face for steve and i. nabbed battle mtn. and ran for the trees!
jamie
Kiefer - Apr 12, 2013 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2011
Meh.Tagged this nondescript 'bump' alongside 5 other peaks for a tremendously long day. Continued down to Pine Ridge and back to Jim's Grove.
Though in true fashion, it was pretty windy.
awhite28 - Dec 25, 2012 1:35 pm
BattleStorm
wmolland - Sep 24, 2012 8:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2012
From Granite PassI had enough time and energy after coming down from Storm Peak to walk the ridgeline to the "peak" and then head down Jim's Grove.
Senad Rizvanovic - Mar 13, 2011 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2010
Late startLate start, afternoon storm kept me from summiting Storm Pk.
No snowshoes, only microspikes used.
CSUMarmot - Aug 1, 2010 10:56 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2010
From Glacier GorgeIts a nice little mount with lots of happy marmots!
They wont touch your cookies though, they're too good for them
cftbq - Jul 15, 2010 1:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2010
Loop from and to E. Longs trailA quick add-on to Longs when the skies finally quit spitting rain and snow. Left the Longs descent route at Granite Pass, climbed the summit from the north, then descended S and E to connect with the Battle Mtn. CG trail, which if followed back to the main trail. As elsewhere reported, amazing views!
Sarah Simon - Jun 20, 2010 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2010
East Longs Peak Trail to Jim's Grove LoopsNice, sunny day. Wanted to visit Storm and Lady Wash, but the team was not up to it. Enjoyed the views of Longs & Meeker, and great views of Twin Sisters.
tomlauren - Jun 11, 2010 9:25 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2010
Lady Washington - Storm - BattleHiked all three from the Longs Peak Trailhead. Many marmots were sunning themselves near Granite Pass. A gentle mountain with nice views in all directions.
Foxy Long Bottoms - Oct 26, 2009 10:08 am Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2009
From StromWith Goatboy
Pete Castricone - Sep 22, 2009 4:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2009
Consolation PrizeTurned back from the Loft so looped back down and around Jim's Grove and up Battle.
JoeyBagoDonuts - Nov 8, 2008 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
It was so close i just had to do itEast slope ascent of Lady Washington then to Battle, it was so close i just had to go.
belexes - Sep 2, 2008 8:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2008
Longs Peak TrailTook the Longs Peak trail to Granite Pass, then wandered around to the three highest crags near the pass. It was pretty windy above treeline. The weather cooperated: every time clouds rolled in, they would break up. I decided to go to Chasm Lake on the way back. I had attempted Chasm Lake with the CMC in November, 2003, I believe, but we had to turn back. This time I made it to the lake. Lots of people on the trails this day.
KAmmerman - Aug 28, 2008 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2008
I'm tired, but so close to Battle Mtn ... let's do it!Cool, overcast, socked in day, but nice hike up Lady Washington, Storm Peak and Battle Mtn nonetheless.
peakrat76 - Jan 3, 2008 3:07 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 1996
East Face - Snow RouteMade a great spring snow ascent straight up the steep eastern aspect. A little scrambling once on the ridge led to summit. Perfect day + summit. (nice glissade on way down!)
heather14 - Nov 11, 2007 9:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2006
beautiful DayI did Battle Mountain on the way down from Storm Peak. It was a great alternative to the more popular trail to Longs.