RMNP Cook-Zumwalt Route

[Joey Jackson]

I cannot find record of the 43 mile RMNP loop that summits Longs Peak. The original time for the loop was 24 hours in 1932. I will attempt the loop later this summer starting in Grand Lake and heading west. My goal is 15 hours. I have a tentative partner but would enjoy more. Has anyone run this loop lately?

[satorimystic]

Probably should have made an account before posting. This is the author

[moveson]

I did a version of this last June in 17:48. My version was longer--my GPS gave me 48.6 miles. It is a spectacular loop.

app.strava.com/activities/11002062

Mark

[nsfw]

I did a very similar version to Mark's above in 2010 and 2011 (a bit more bushwhacking in 2010 to hit Chief's Head and Pagoda, but very similar in 2011) and took me (not racing/going for any kind of record, just mentioning for reference in case you are interested) about 21:30 in 2010 and 18:00 in 2011.

It's a wonderful loop, I believe Cook-Zumwalt did it CCW (obviously, unverified, as neither could be reached for comment ), but, my preference is always to start at Bear Lake very early and go up Longs 1) before traffic 2) before electrical activity. Granted, on the way back, you'll likely be late enough in the day for #2 to be relatively abated (but, then again, if I had a nickel for every late afternoon storm that has me bivvied waiting for a weather window), but #1 is almost a perma-problem on Longs if you're going for speed...

What direction do you think you'll go?