Long's Peak, view from Estes Park

Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942 · 1873

Long's Peak, view from Estes Park, on the northwest, distant about twelve miles from the summit. The park is about four by six miles in diameter, lying inside the foot-hill range and close under the main range. Being well sheltered and easy of access, it is proving to be a most excellent pasture for large herds of cattle. A few families have also settled here, and taken up permanent homesteads. It is quite a pleasure-resort, and as the only practicable route for ascending the peak leads up from this valley, it is destined to become a favorite stopping-place for health-seeker and traveler. The Big Thompson, draining all this region, is an excellent trout stream, and in season affords most excellent fishing. Long's Peak, as seen from the plains, is the most prominent in the front range, rising sharply high above the surrounding peaks. Its elevation is 14,271 feet, and about 6,300 feet above the park. Composed entirely of the primitive rocks, it has bold, decided outlines, great walls, and deep cañons, and about its northwestern base particularly are said to be gorges and cañons among the grandest on the continent. Its summit is divided into two sharp crests, the most western one being the highest and most difficult of ascent. The trail leads directly up to timber-line, and then passes around to the north and west, from which direction only the summit can be reached. (Jackson, 1875)