Longs Peak TH Parking

[Tornadoman]

Ok, this may seem like an odd question but I searched the forum archives and couldn't find anything so figured I'd ask. We all know that the Longs Peak TH fills up super early on summer weekends. However, when some of those people finish spots become available again. Does anyone have an idea when spots might clear up so that there would be a good chance of finding parking? I was thinking 10 or 11 a.m. Considering an afternoon Meeker trip on a good weather day and just wanted to see if anyone had thoughts on this.

Thanks!

[LURE]

I would imagine it's just a toss up. Who knows when people started, how fast they are, or if they're camped in the boulder field. Probably some ambitious, fast hikers will be outta there before noon. Probably start seeing the majority of cars leaving between 2 and 5. It'll be up to some good luck on this.

Be like Anton and ride your bike, you can park anywhere.

https://www.climbing.com/people/anton-k ... triathlon/

[Kiefer]

Sorry OP, but you'll have marginally better luck at predicting to find a place to park then say, correctly guessing the number on a roulette spin or numbers on keno.

[JChitwood]

My recommendation would be to go nowhere near there on a weekend. Better luck finding close in parking at a Broncos game.

[jmanner]

Sorry OP, but you'll have marginally better luck at predicting to find a place to park then say, correctly guessing the number on a roulette spin or numbers on keno.

+1

[domanico]

Last weekend, the lot was completely full by 2 AM and still mostly full by 4 PM.

[LURE]

If you're desperate and not cheap you could pay for a campsite at the Longs Peak Campground and leave your car there. Does take a site away from people actually trying to camp though, so, not entirely the best idea.

[pbakwin]

Or just park down the road and walk up a bit. No big deal.

[Tornadoman]

Sorry OP, but you'll have marginally better luck at predicting to find a place to park then say, correctly guessing the number on a roulette spin or numbers on keno.

Well I got no numbers right in the powerball jackpot, so don't think my luck is that good. Your post cracked me up though.

Or just park down the road and walk up a bit. No big deal.

I seem to remember the last time that I was there that cars were parked as far as legally possible? Definitely don't mind a road walk, but do not want to be ticketed or towed. In any case I have a random off day a couple weeks after Labor Day during the week. Weather permitting may just aim for that date as the crowds should have thinned considerably.

[cougar]

it's much better mid-week than on weekends. Typical weekend I think it fills by 1-2am or earlier. Last Thursday there were still a few spots left in the lot at 3:30am. I did see a few people descending the trail early on (apparently giving up early and turning around). Even returning in the afternoon around 2:30, I saw only a few cars parked down the road and not many way down. However, there are many other people who head up to Chasm Lake or Estes Cone, or just hike partway up, that show up in the afternoon, and backpackers head up around then.

you could try an alternate route up Meeker from the Horse Creek TH - a bit longer and more elevation gain but if you're starting afternoon you might be fast and up for it.