I love this page Mike, I look foreward to next time Im there doing a hike, did a few With Molly Kemper last time I was there, she like that too.
Mike, Very nice site. Now, as I sit in my classroom preparing for school I can get a mountain "fix". I work summers at Cheley Camps south of Estes and have done extensive hiking in RMNP. Your talent for conveying the feeling of being there on the hike with you makes reading the reports a pleasure. Keep up the good work. Jodee d'Avignon Miami, Oklahoma
Oh, wow - keep those hiking pictures & stories coming - we visit Estes every September since 1977 & never see the beautiful snow like this. Us Tennessee folk miss "THE PARK". Mike, you're a winner with us & thanks.
Great Site. The only website that makes you feel like you are really there. We have visited Estes Park since the early 70's with our parents, and have been working toward moving there, hopefully in 98. Keep up the excellent site, hope to be there soon, but until then, can experience RMNP through your great hike accounts. Mitch & Sherry from Missouri.
Hey Mike, Great site. I was in Estes for New years and had an opportunity to look around a bit. I will be back at the end of January and plan on a couple of good hikes. Thanks for the info.
I enjoy browsing your site, and it has been a great resource for my wife and I for planning this years upcoming vacation in RMNP. We are planning a 3-4 day backpacking trip. Keep up the good work!
Greg.
P.S.: I will have a web page sometime in december, and I will probably use yours as a model. I'll let you know the URL as soon as I do.
Just stumbled upon this site while looking for some topos of the Park. Great job! My wife and I just finished a hike on MLK Day to the Pool. We were hoping for enough snow to X-country ski but there wasn't so we walked instead.
I had many of the same reactions when I went up Longs over ten years ago. What a tremendous hike. Now I'm reduced to shorter hikes but I still am amazed at the beauty of the Park.
Keep up the good work and I'll visit often (both your site and the Park).
Interesting little page you've got here. I've hiked some basic hikes at RMNP myself (Storm Pass, Little Sprague Lake Hikes, Wind River, Colorado River, Lulu City, Eugenia Mine, Timber Lake). I find this site very informative. I live in Robinson Illinois where we don't have to many Mountains (Ha Ha)
Hi Mike, I live in Windsor Connecticut and get the chance to travel to Colorado every other year. This summer I'll be out there and my cousin and I are getting a group to go hiking and camping in Colorado National Park. I came accross your website looking for information and found it very interesting. I know where to go if I have any questions on where to go, I can't wait. Thank you!! Jessica
WOW! What a wondeful hike! Thanks for the winter pictures.
Great page !!! It's great to hike these cyber trails when you can't get out to hike the real ones. Keep up the good work.
Remember: It's Always Time 2 Hike !!!!
Visit my other page also: http://members.aol.com/Rie14/teamdreamweavers.html
Just wanted to say how much I love your picture on the main page! Keep up the good work and have fun on the trail!
Great page, Mike! Go CANADA Go!!
This is a swell site. My family (my husbo, 7 year old, and 1 year old will be making our second trip to Estes Park in August. We did some great hiking last summer, in spite of the baby having an ear infection. I appreciate your difficulty levels-we have to stick to the easy stuff now, but the kids do really well. See ya in August! D'Anne Stites, Austin, TX
Mike, I enjoyed reading your account of your trek. My brother and I did that route in August of 1996 the day before we summitted Longs Peak. Your description of the route in the winter sounds great, I will have to try it in the future.
Steve Bruskiewicz (Wisconsin)
I enjoyed your story of the Hike up Longs. My son, a friend, and I went up early June of 79 and made it to chasm overlook, but did not go futher as there was too much snow & ice. I entend on going back in the next year or two and finish the climb. Your story lets me know some time frames I will need to hold to. I especially enjoyed the pictures which gave me some insites into what to expect.
see some real wildlife!! GO TO CANADA
My wife & I moved to Colorado last year from Austin,TX. We used to hike in the Hill Country alot, but it's nothing compared to RMNP!!! We love to snow shoe there in winter and hike in summertime. We have been on the Glacier Gorge Trail lately. What is a good snow shoe off that trail? Andrew's Glacier? Black Lake?
Dear Mike, I was looking for info on RMNP and found this site through a link.Then I read the Long's Peak Hike.Turns out your site had just the kind of stuff I was looking for.You get my vote for one of the coolest websites I've come across.I have been to RMNP once(May '97) but didn't get to hike.I most definately hope to get back soon,but in the meantime,I'll have to hike the Rockies through your eyes.Please keep up the good (hard) work.
Edward Mineer Cincinnati,Ohio
Mike, I've fallen off your notice list. I really enjoyed getting a note every once in a while that I should go see footage from your latest outing...Do you still maintain this distrib. list, or should I just try to hit your site regularly?
Thanks! Leif Rudd, ruddle@lucent.com
Mike, Thanks for all the work you've put in to your web page. It's very well done! Your photos and writings brought back some nice memories of my wanderings in the Park. Jim Disney Larimer County Commissioner DistrictIII
Really enjoyed your descriptions of your hikes. Makes we want to put our house up for sale and move today!
This is a great page. I go to Rocky Mt NP every summer. We stay at the YMCA near estes. I have done many of these hikes myself. I love the way you described how you did longs peak!
What a great page!
My family and I are going to be in RMNP in early summer I'm looking forward to it and seeing some of these sights in person.
Thanks!
Nice site. I do most of my hiking each summer in the Sierras in CA.
Cool bike, got up to 90mph, buy the way, and no I really didn't pop a wheelie!!!
mark
What a great site. I get my fix of the mountains until I get back out there. We've been to RMNP ten times over the past 8 years and plan many more trips. this is the next best thing to being there.
Mike,
You really know how to get the adrenaline flowing. I'll be flying out July 21 to do Long's. I can't wait. I imagine it's more spectacular than you've described. I can't wait to see first hand. Thanks for getting me pumped. Hope to see you on the summit of a 14'er someday.
Dennis
Mike,
You really know how to get the adrenaline flowing. I'll be flying out July 21 to do Long's. I can't wait. I imagine it's more spectacular than you've described. I can't wait to see first hand. Thanks for getting me pumped. Hope to see you on the summit of a 14'er someday.
Dennis
Hey Mike.. My husband and I plan to go to Colorado this summer with our two girls, 6 years and 10 years. We would like some suggestions as far as family hikes but also if you knew of any place close to Long's Peak where we could "farm out" the girls while we hike. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated..Our email address is BenCoolin@worldnet.att.net
Mike, your Long's Peak page brought back fond memories of the 2 treks I have made to that summit as well as another to the base of the East Wall. Great narrative. Felt like I was right back there with you. It's been 2 years since my last visit to RMNP. Can't wait for this August's trip.
Hi Mike, my wife and I live in Estes and enjoy many of the same hikes you write about. Great reference site. Keep up the good work. Hal & Marian Short
Real nice! We were in Estes last summer and did the Loch trail. This year we'll be back to do a lot more. Your descriptions and photos really make a person want to hit the trail. Dave
Excellent site. I see several of the places I have hiked in your pictures. I hope to move to Estes Park permanently within 5 years. It's good to have a long range plan
Incredible resource. Thanks! Brad Krause
Loved your story on Long's Peak. Plan to go up there with some buddies in September. My son and I do a lot of hiking here in Wyoming. Wind Rivers, Cloud Peak, Shoshoni, etc.
Thank for such a wonderful place to "visit" one of the greatest places, RMNP, at any time. We have been visiting Mike's Hikes for over a year now. I would like to see a report in the Wild Basin area such as Bluebird Lake and beyond. After years of hiking most of the destinations on the East side, including Long's, I believe that the treeline and above areas in the Wild Basin area provides some of the greatest scenery in RMNP. We have also visited some of the more popular areas on the West side too. We will be there in July, but due to Juli's knee surgery we will be taking it a little easier this year. We plan to do some strenuous hikes during 1999 though. Do you have plans to do Chapin Pass Trail including Mt. Chapin, Mt. Chiquita, & Ypsilon Mt. soon? This is one hike we will be including next summer, and wanted to find any photos and hike descriptions available. We always look for the next installment of a hike report here. Keep up the good work. Come visit some of the great hiking north of San Antonio ,TX such as Lost Maples, Enchanted Rock, and Perdenales Falls State Park(s). Or Guadalupe Mountains N P, Big Bend N P, and Palo Duro Canyon S P. Good luck and Best wishes from two more Texas Tech grads. residing in San Antonio.
Mike -- really enjoyed this web page. I'm gearing up for my Longs attempt in early Sept. '98 and the information you have provided has been exceptional. I own many books, etc. on the hike, however, I have never seen pictures quite like yours!!! Everyone says the trough is the hardest part and if you make it past that, you're home free! My fiance and I attempted Longs in Sept. '97 but were unfortunately turned back due to weather. We are psyched for our 2nd chance this year!!! Thanks again!!! Karen-Cincinnati
Great info. I am planning a three or 4 night hike and am trying to round up info.
My family and I love RMNP. We try to spend 7 to ten days a year there. My kids are ages 8, 11, and 14. Last year, we all made from Bowen/Baker TH all the way to Blue lake. I must say that it was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. It was hard, especially for my middle child and I because we both suffer from severe asthsma which is excercise induced. The difficulty of the hike made it ever more memorable. My children could not believe that the lake still had ice on it July 4. We are from Dallas, Tx so they do not see snow or ice usually.
I love your page.
Mike --
I appreciate the time and effort spent on your "hike site." I was out in Estes Park on business in May and fell in love with the place. I plan to visit this October and the info you have provided will come in handy. Thanks again!
Hi Mike, Enjoy ur hiking page. It is just pleasant and magnificiant. I visited colorado almost 20 yrs ago. I m going this summer. But I can only spend three nites car camping in Longs Peak with a friend. We would probably spend one day driving around the park and a couple of day on day hikes. I understand there is no shower in the campgrounds. Can u tell me where I can take showers ? Is there a nearby stream I can do it or I have to drive out to Estes Park ? Thanks.
Mike-Thanks for putting together all this information. I've been looking for a such a source and this is definitely it. I'll be back often...
Great Site, my family has been visiting the Estes Park area for three generations and my grandparents currently reside there in the summer. It is nice to know there are others who take pride in this great area. Keep Up The Good Work!
Mike- I really really enjoyed your web page. your pictures and stories were amazing and I am extremely jealous of all the hikes you have done. I spent two summers in Estes at the base of Longs at Rocky Ridge Music Camp and fell in love with Colorado. Now living in Nebraska I miss it a lot. I hoped to go school in colorado, but I am ending up in the University of Iowa. I have hiked Longs once and really enjoyed looking at your pictures. Actually last year we were suppose to hike Longs on July, 21, 1997, but we heard it was still technical through the key hole. So we decided to go the following Monday, but then that Monday it was raining and we never got it done! :( Your web site made me really homesick for the mountains.
good report on long's peak - haven't been to CO since '91 (college days) - wife & i were planning a trip to SoCarolina to see some friends but they had a death in family - so we are going to CO (RMNP)& denver area - last minute change - wife never been to CO - can't wait to get her there - we live in indiana - she should enjoy the trip (even though she is pregnant)
any suggestions on where to go? stay? etc? will be in CO from July 10-July 17
sent email (with attachments)
Mike, I truly enjoyed your page and the photos are terrific. My boyfriend and I will be in RMNP this August to hike and take photos. Loved the silhoutte shot of the big horn sheep. Louise
My daughter just finished 2 weeks at the Rocky Mountain Natioa\nal Park. She loved Bridal Veil Falls and Sand Beach. She was a little discouraged with the naked hiker, but they dealt with the reality of someone elses stupidity and had a wonderful trip. She was with the Roncalli High School group of about 150 students, counselors and guides. Perhaps next year, Mike, you can meet them. The trip is always the second week of June through the end of the month.
Great site! Can't wait to see it all for myself!
My wife & I hiked Donner's Pass from the road to Millers Fork. This is supposedly a private road (although the Forest Service will tell you any road "platted" with the county is open to public traffic). We climbed this trail July 13th 98, a mistake due to high temps. Your descpription of 6 miles up and 6 miles back is at odds with forest service trail markers. Never-the-less it was a enjoyable but difficult hike. Do you know if there is a public phone at the Buckhorn Ranger Station? There never seems to be anybody around there. Also do you have any ideas of how one could hike from Buckhorn Ranger Station over Donner's pass to Millers Fork and obtain or call for a ride home? This would make a terrific one way hike. Bob.
Mike, You have a nicely organized page. It looks great. I found it on the Idaho Alpine Club site links. The IAC is my favorite page. See it at:
Also, see my Idaho and Southwest trip reports at:
http://www.srv.net/~iac/trips/rj_rpts.htm
Take care, and remember, wherever you go there you are! Rob Jones
Mike:
At your suggestion, I am submitting a hike that my son and I dreamed up did in the summer of 1997 with the able help of Tim Blesse, who at the time was the head hikemaster as the YMCA of the Rockies. This is not a hike for those who are not in shape, don't like boulder hopping and detest bushwacking, but it is a lot of fun.
This hike has been christened the North Longs Peak Extravangaza and it starts from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. A departure of no later than 4 a.m. is recommended.
Head for the North Longs Peak Trail and just after crossing Glacier Creek take a hard right and scramble, climb and crawl up the north side of Half Mountain. This can be a bit tricky done by flashlight and headlamp. There are a lot of deadfalls and the ground is a bit loose in places. It's not dangerous, just tedious. You should reach the summit just about in time for breakfast. It's a great place to watch the sun come up. But don't stop here; the fun has only begun.
Drop down the south side of summit to the saddle that overlooks Glacier Gorge. Stop and take a look, it is worth it. Now head up the ridge of Storm Peak. This is a great ridge hike, but once you are past the first false summit be careful about where you stand, some of the large rocks on the ridge look really unsteady. But if you find somewhere that looks good and solid, another peek into Glacier Gorge is worthwhile. Once you reach the summit of Storm, sign the register if you can find it and have a snack. You've earned it.
Some late snowfields high on the east flank of Storm prevented us from traversing to the Keyhole, then dropping down to the base of Longs North Face and over to Chasm View. With a late summer attempt (we were there in late June) you might be able to make it.
Discretion being the better part of valor (and our ice axes being back in the cabin), we picked up our intended route by dropping straight down a fairly moderate snowfield on the east flank of Storm to the Boulder Field and head up the west flank of Mount Lady Washington. The view of Longs east face is magnificent and it is a great time for lunch.
Now pick your best route down the ridge and the west flank of Lady Washington, picking up the Longs Peak Trail at the earliest possible point low in the Boulder Field.
Follow the Longs Peak Trail until you come parallel with the summit of Battle Mountain on your left. The summit may not look like much more than a rock uplift, but we got a real treat when we saw a large herd of elk just off to the east that folks on the trail couldn't see.
From the top of Battle, head down into the tundra meadow to the west and pick up the North Longs Peak trail, which is in easy view all the way down.
Stay on the North Longs Trail until you hit the junction with Boulder Brook Trail, which we used to get back to Bear Lake Road. It is steep in places, but is shady most of the way, which is a welcome relief after all that sun up on the peaks. You can catch the Bear Lake Road bus back up to Glacier Gorge Junction and your car. An alternative is to stay on North Longs until you can retrace your steps back to Glacier Gorge Junction, but that involves some uphill hiking that seems like a real bear at that point in the day.
We finished up about 4:30 p.m. The mileage is about 14 and the elevation gain comes out to about 4,500 feet.
Enjoy. We did.
Mike Upsall (mju@ntr.net)
Hi Mike. Great site. Just got back from a week in RMNP, and went up Flattop for the first time. Great weather, great hiking, great trip. Thanks for a cool site about one of my favorite places! Diana
First time visit for me, and your site is GREAT! I will definately use it to good use. I live in Ft. Collins, and try to do a hike every week or so. I also have reviews of hikes in my area on my webpage. Come and visit!
It sure is nice to find some many people who enjoy Rocky Mountian National Park as much as I do. I wish I could say that I have hiked as much as you but I have only done some little hikes such as Flat Top, Emerald Lake, ect. I was able to bring my husband and two children to the Park last month and my children were the fifth generation from my family to visit the Park! Since they are both very young (three and one) we weren't able to do much hiking. I carried my 3 year old all the way up to Dream Lake. It sure made the hike seem very long!! Anyway, I have two sections on my webpages devoted to the Rocky Mountains. One section is entitled "Rocky Mountain National Park through Five Geneations" which includes photos from the 1930's as well as other neat things. The second section is a brief summary in words and pictures of our recent visit to Colorado. If you get a chance you might like to visit. Enjoy yourself and keep hiking!!!
Great source of information. I'm headed for Pot's Puddle this weekend. (Cow Creek Trailhead)
Great site and a big help...really helps put things in perspecitve...now that I'm 40 something and getting back into hiking again (left it after high school and college years and haven't been up Long's since 1973). Thanks for the effort.
used information from your site for our recent trip to rmnp. it was extremely helpful and allowed to us to carefully select trails our two daughters found both challenging and interesting. thank you. our family might suggest a "flatlander's caveat" to your rating of the lilly mountain hike. we were tired but awe-struck. what a view !
additionally, read with interest your account of the long's peak hike with terry brands and mike duroe. mike was my wife's brother's (also a mike-mike burford) best friend through college, where they wrestled for drake university. we haven't seen mike duroe since the funeral for mike burford when he died of cancer a few years back. mike duroe always was a hard charger-so it was not surprising to see him clutching his head with altitude sickness. we love and respect mike alot. if you happen to have contact with mike-send our love and ask him if the pig rustling stories from the drake "d" club days are true.
thanks for helping us have a very memorable vacation
matt woody, des moines, iowa
Just read your Longs Peak hike. It was great. Looking forward to our vacation there in RMNP in October. We might try the Longs Peak trek. Your pictures are great!
Anyone who has never been to the Rocky Mountains is missing out on the spectacular wonders of this earth we've been given by God to enjoy and appreciate. Nothing is better to the soul than to get on one of these hikes and let lifes worries dissipate. This web site of Mikes is great for planning your trip!
Anyone who has never been to the Rocky Mountains is missing out on the spectacular wonders of this earth we've been given by God to enjoy and appreciate. Nothing is better to the soul than to get on one of these hikes and let lifes worries dissipate. This web site of Mikes is great for planning your trip! I've been to Emerald Lake, Mills Lake, Ozule Falls, (furthest points), all wonderful family hikes!
Great web site, and very comprehensive. I hope you have more time to devote to it in the future. As a Fort Collins resident who visits RMNP fairly often, I'll use your site as a handy source of supplementary information.
Your trip report for Longs Peak was entertaining and well written. It really helped me prepare mentally for my own (successful!) attempt a couple of weeks ago. Your photos from that hike also turned out much better than mine, so I'll be pointing plenty of friends and family to your web page so that they can see what it was like.
Keep up the good work.
Have certainly enjoyed my return visit to Mke's Hikes. Thanks for your efforts in creating such a great site that allows us to share in your hiking adventures. You are sure blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth.
Mike,
Just read about your winter hike to the Loch and beyond. Awesome, Ernie is a God. I know how difficult it is getting up that chute in good weather. Wish you would hike and report more often, I need a fix. Appreciate all the pictures. See ya on the trail.
BB
Great! This is a very nie site for those who want to know something about RMNP and trips in there! I'm a foreign student at the CSU and this site helped me in planning my trips near here.
I just happened upon your bitchin' "hiking page" while trying to find some info on Long's Peak. I am always looking for more places to go, and will certainly be back on your page soon. Thanks!!
Kevin Smith
Hey Mike ! Love your web site ! I have climbed Long;s Peak many times as I am a mountain guide.Long's Peak is my favorite in Colorado.I now guide in the Andes and Amazon. You can look me up at http://www.jr.com/trek Congradulations on your web site recognition .Keep up the good work ! Randy Denison
Great pictures Mike, looks like you had some fantastic weather..... My attempt was Aug.3rd this summer.... ran into rain, heavy clouds, poor visibility at the keyhole... turned around.. did see chasm lake... hope to make it to the top next summer got a good book called "Long's Peak Experience" that with your pictures will help prepare me on my next attempt. Congradulations to you all. Wes k
Aug 13, hiked up Boulder Brook well above treeline until a T-Storm forced us down. Brook was running full and was the best stream we saw on the week stay in the park.
I just climbed Long's Peak yesterday. Found your site today and really enjoyed your excellent photos of the keyhole route. Thanks.
HEY CONGRATS ON YOUR SUMMIT OF LONGS PEAK. I RECENTLY COMPLETED LONGS THIS SUMMER IT WAS TRULY A ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR ME LIVING IN THE WASTELANDS OF HOUSTON. I HAVE SOME BUDDIES THAT LIVE UP IN FRISCO THAT LOVE DOING 14'ERS. I ALSO DID HOLY CROSS, SIERRA BLANCAS, AND THE ELLINGWOOD RIDGE. BE BACK NEXT SUMMER FOR MORE!!!!! PEACE!!!!!!
Love your site! We'll be back at rocky over Thanksgiving--doing a little more snowshoeing. your story on the climb to Timberline Falls and above is inspiring--but cold! Hope you have many more treks to report to all us "flatlanders:!
Thanks for a great write-up on the Long's Peak hike of 8/97. My 13 and 16 yr old kids and I made it to the top on Sept 8, 1998. The hardest work I have ever done. But well worth it. Although at times I wondered if we'd make it back. I reviewed your web site before the hike, but it still doesn't prepare you for the ledges, trough, narrows and homestretch. Wow! Also a good lightning and rainstorm on Mills Moraine on the way down just about finished us off. We also got to the Keyhole 10 minutes before a heavy rain on the ledges. Also hiked to Black Lake, Boulder Brook. Nice! Keep up the good work
Hi Mike. Just did Long's Labor Day by the Loft route. Definitely cool. You can double-bag Meeker along with it. Also, It looks like an Orton-to-Cheif's Head route would be gorgeous and uncomplicated. Thanks for the pictures. They are great. I have forwarded the links to my friends and family so they can see what Long's is all about. BTW. We came down by the keyhole route. Started in the dark with a full moon and finished by a near full moon as it took us 18 hours to complete the trip. Thanks again, Jon
Yo
Absolutely incredible. This will be our third trip out. This site is great. We thank you for your time and all of the information. Jim and Kelly Henry
Birmingham, Alabama
Great resource. Longs Peak holds a special meaning for me. And checking out your web site gets me fired up for my next trip to RMNP
Hi Mike!
I enjoyed your web page when visiting Colorado and RMNP during the summer of 1998. I hiked Halletts Peak and I have some pictures on my homepage on http://fys.ku.dk/~bacher/rmnp.html Best regards, Camilla
THANK YOU FOR THE INFO. WE WILL BE VISITING OCT 4 FOR 3 DAYS TO ENJOY THE FALL. WE ARE IN OUR 50'S BUT HOPE TO ENJOY 2 OR 3 EASY HIKES AND SPOT WILDLIFE. WE ARE STAYING IN A LODGE NEAR ESTES PARK . SUE JOHNSON
Mike, I am very intrested in the Colorado range. Last summer I enjoyed 23 days in the backcountry through an Outward Bound course. I was one of the most memroable experiences of my life!!! We hiked all over the Colligiant's range.{not sure if that's spelled right} It's so hard to find people who have experienced the same as I did. It's breathtaking, isn't it? Well please keep going with your website, I'll visit again. Amanda
Great site!!
Totally.. Totally Awesome !!!
I liked your sight, it ws just what i was needing. My family owns a cabin on one of the just right outside of RMNP, and we have a special place called "BIG ROCK", that we hike up to, to watch the sunset over Longs, Meeker, and the Indian Mt. I've always loved hiking, so i've talked my uncle and some cousins into take me up Longs for my first mountain. I'm so excited, I can't hardly wait for next summer! Some of your pics scared me, but i know i can;t be too bad if that many people climb it. Keep up the good work. :^) Lindi,Yukon, Oklahoma
Great stuff, Mike. I'll stop back often to share your new journeys....
http://home.earthlink.net/~kolsky/index1.html
NICE SITE. JUST RETURNED FROM COLORADO MYSELF. LIVE IN GEORGIA, BUT MY HEART NOW BELONGS TO THE ROCKIES. HAPPY TRAILS FROM A FELLOW HIKER.
ANDY NORRIS
Wow, great page!
Hi, I really like your site. I have climbed most of the hikes you have on here. I have been on Longs Peak 8 times. I am from wisconsin and can't climb anymore (industrial accident) thanks for giving me some good memories....Mick
hope to hear from you all soon. dru/leslie
hey, i like your web page because i'm doing a really big project.thanks for imf.i really like your pictureand know i'm not a geek for the people reading this bye anna lee p.s. i'm 12 years old
This is great page and good timing on my part for finding this site. I am planning on going to THE PARK in the summer of 99. BIG AL
Mike Great Web site! It is fun to read about and see your adventures. Tim FYI: We have a cabin that we rent out near Allenspark and Estes Park and close to the Longs Peak trailhead. It is a good place for someone to stay who wants to get an early start on the Longs Peak ascent and then to relax and shower afterwards in comfort.