RMNP Longs Peak – Stash overnight backpacks for summit day?

I wonder if you might find a spot for the packs at the Boulderfield campsites. If you happen to find someone that's still in their site, they might let you stash them there. Those tent sites are all tucked in among huge boulders, which will hide the packs from the masses walking by. Everywhere else seems to be very exposed, with no vegetation around.

Or you could just leave them at Granite Pass, hiding them as well as you can, and hope for the best. There ARE marmots roaming them thar hills though, but less foot traffic than on the route up past Jims Grove.

Keep in mind that you'll need to plan to get off the summit around noon, to avoid the usual afternoon thunderstorms. That whole barren area above 12,000' is seriously exposed to any adverse weather.

" I've also heard there is some concern of marmots getting in to things. "

Marmots just love to chew their way into food bags, leather, and just about anything with food smell. Getting your food into a bear canister would not be a stupid idea.

–B.G.–