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Home/Canyon Column/2006 Archives/Rocky Mountain (too) High

Rocky Mountain (too) High

The family vacation season is drawing to a close at Grand Canyon, and with it the days of wall-to-wall visitors in every direction. I’m often asked, “Where do YOU vacation if you live at the Grand Canyon?” This summer is was the lofty peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. Joining me in a backpack to the summit of Longs Peak were a few friends for another installment in our once-a-year mid-life crisis peak bagging tradition.

Longs Peak stands on the Front Range of Colorado’s Rockies, towering over the endless plains that trail off to the east, literally as far as the eye can see. The 14,259 ft. mountain was first climbed in modern times by Major John Wesley Powell; coincidentally the first man through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River in 1869. Having rafted through the Canyon in May I was excited to repeat another of Powell’s achievements.

After dodging lighting on the grueling climb to our campsite above treeline, a few of my altitude sensitive pals were reeling from the lack of oxygen. We decided to forgo the summit and descend the following morning. The adventure wasn’t a total loss as we were treated to a glorious sunset and sunrise, big views of the nearby peaks, and all the bewildering antics that two hundred city slicker day hikers could serve up.

Any lingering frustration with our aborted climb was washed away when I arrived home at the Grand Canyon, better for the wear as I prepare for a rigorous fall hiking schedule.

  • Hallett Peak | Photo by Mike Buchheit
  • Longs Peak | Photo by Mike Buchheit

Published on: September 1, 2006

Categories: 2006 Archives, Canyon ColumnTags: high altitude hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.

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