Longs Peak is by far the most frequently encountered landmark on the Virtual Landscape hikes due to its imposing height above the rest of the Peaks. Standing tall at 14,255', it is the tallest and most majestic of all Peaks in northern Colorado. The east-facing wall of granite towers 2,500' over Chasm Lake on its flank. The mountain is scoured by glacial activity on all sides.
One curious fact about the Peak is the origin of the flat peak, almost the size of a football field. Many geologists think this is a remnant of an ancient plain created by erosion prior to the uplifting of the area now known as the Rocky Mountains.
This peak challenges over 10,000 people to climb to its flat roof each year, although fewer than 3,000 make it. The elevation gain for such a hike is over 4,800 feet and the hiking is over 16 miles round trip. Certainly not a hike for the unprepared. The first winter ascent was made by Agnes Vaille in 1925, who unfortunately failed to make the descent due to exposure from an unexpected winter storm.
The peak was named after the earliest known "white" explorer of the Front Range. In 1820, Stephen H. Long led a group of men from north to south along the foothills of the Front Range. Although this peak was known earlier by the Indians as "The Two Guides" (thanks to Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak acting as their compass points for northwest direction), it was named for Lt. Long, the man who led the expedition and made the "Highest Peak" most famous at that time. By 1842, it was known as Longs Peak. For a while, the French fur traders called it "Les Deux Oreilles," the Two Ears, again for the twin profiles made by Meeker and Longs.
Longs Peak also may have been the inspiration for the architect of Downtown Denver to lay out the streets in a Northwest orientation so that Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker dominate their urban views.#
