Approach  Landmarks for the Trough route on Longs Peak. Photo taken from Mills Lake.
Start from the new Glacier Gorge parking lot. Follow a 0.3 mile spur trail to access the Alberta Falls trail. This trail is 1.9 miles according to the signs. There is also a winter shortcut on the right at the second bridge that follows the stream and joins up at the 1.9 mile mark. Locals claim it shaves a mile off the trip.
At the 1.9 mile trail junction follow the signs for Mills Lake. Pay attention to the trail signs as its easy to head up the trail to The Loch in the dark. The path is an easy Class 1 that soon leads to the edge of Mills Lake. Cross Mills and Jewel Lakes continuing up the drainage to Black Lake which is about 2 - 2.5 hours from the parking lot.
Follow Black Lake's left shore for 100 yards where it opens into a drainage where you want to go leading you into a higher valley. Walk up the valley until it levels out. You need to go to the left side of the valley. The Trough is on the left directly across from the shoulder of The Spearhead. It should take less than an hour from Black Lake to the base of the Trough at approximately 11,600 feet.
Route Description
The Trough is a long couloir snow climb. Skill with crampons and ice axe are needed. The couloir ends on Longs' west ridge about 13,850 feet at a chockstone which can be passed on either side. A series of trail markers, red and yellow circles, are painted on the rocks from the top of the trough until the summit. A ledge, called the Narrows, is the next leg. This is the worst exposure of the route. It leads to the homestrech, typically a small snowfield, which tops out onto the summit.
Essential GearCrampons and ice axe are needed. A helmet should be worn as small rock fall is a common product of the freeze/thaw cycle. Small rock was noticeable in the snowfield. Snowshoes are helpful for the approach and can be left at the base of the Trough.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
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Rocky Mountain National Park
