Let's Talk Long's Peak

So here's the mighty Long's Peak (center), tallest peak in the park. Though this picture doesn't show it, Mt Meeker (left) is about 350 lower than Long's. That formation on the left of Long's is called The Beaver. Can you see it? (Others see a mitten.)

Today's goal? To test our 'altitude legs' and push muscles by hiking to Storm Pass (elevation 10,260). The Keyhole Trail, which leads to the summit of Long's, is still technical, meaning that a person needs crampons and an ice axe. I don't have either, and in any case would likely hurt myself with the ice axe.

We left the Long's Peak Ranger Station, with a full blue sky overhead and a tempterature of about 55 degrees. I had lots of 'blue sky' pix for you. Yet within three hours, we were caught in the snowstorm that you see here.