Navigational aids or visual blight? Spray-painted trail markers on Longs Peak’s historic Keyhole Route spark debate about safety versus wilderness preservation.
Longs Peak looms prominently over the northern skyline of Colorado, a siren call to those drawn by its majesty. With the 14,259-foot summit piercing the heavens, it’s a behemoth peak that’s enraptured writers, climbers, and early explorers since the first recorded discovery in the nineteenth century—and sacred land for Indigenous tribes dating back much further.
First introduced in 1922 to guide lost climbers, red- and yellow-painted bull’s-eyes mark the Keyhole Route, now a cardinal piece of park history. But for many who attempt its ascent, these unnatural markers—a century-old navigational aid—assure them a safe return.
However, as Rocky Mountain National Park grapples with record visitor numbers and a responsibility of accessibility, a question remains: Are these painted bull’s-eyes a vital wayfinding lifeline in otherwise sparse terrain or a blemish on natural wilderness, lulling inexperienced hikers into perilous terrain?
Longs’ Legacy
The first recorded summit of Longs occurred in 1868, decades before the land became a national park. Longs Peak towers as the tallest mountain within the national park and 15th tallest in Colorado. Of Rocky Mountain National Park’s 4.1 million visitors in 2023, a staggering 10,000 to 15,000 people reach its summit each year, compared to just 260 in 1915, when the park was established. Its accessibility from Denver and dominance of the horizon make it an alluring target for visitors.
Yet, this popularity comes with risks. The Keyhole Route, the most frequented nontechnical route, is not to be mistaken for a walk in the park. It is a Class 3 scramble with a long approach, and the upper mountain offers significant exposure and rugged terrain. An unroped fall in many sections could be, and has been, fatal.
After a six-mile approach hike, climbers encounter the Boulder Field and ascend through the Keyhole—a distinctive rock formation. Beyond this point, the route is divided into four sections: the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows, and the Homestretch. Each segment presents unique challenges, demanding careful navigation and constant vigilance.
For many, the Keyhole Route has a narrow window to climb. It’s typically snow-free early July through late August, whereas the remainder of the year requires adept mountaineering prowess. To aid climbers, the National Park Service (NPS) introduced spray-painted bull’s-eye markers in 1922 along the Keyhole Route. “The initial trial of markers on Longs, which were red flags and cairns, didn’t have the intended result,” says Kyle Patterson, public affairs officer for Rocky Mountain National Park. “We then decided to spray paint bull’s-eyes to help with wayfinding.” These markers are repainted every five to eight years due to the mountain’s high traffic, Patterson says.
Despite the park service’s efforts to maximize visitor safety, however, the climb is still hazardous. According to the NPS, approximately 70 people have died on Longs Peak since 1915, and falling is the leading cause. “It’s not a hike,” Patterson cautions. “It’s a serious climbing route unroped, where a trip and fall could be fatal.”
The spray-painted bull’s-eyes are more visible than traditional rock cairns, which can be battered by the elements and high winds, or easily overlooked in craggy terrain. However, their presence is a double-edged sword. “Ninety-five percent of Rocky is designated wilderness, and we acknowledge that painted bull’s-eyes are certainly not natural,” Patterson admits. “It’s something the park service has had to consider in terms of impact. The bull’s-eyes have been there since the park’s inception, so now we’re dealing with a historic significance as well.”
While some argue that these markers detract from a true wilderness experience, the NPS attests the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. “The visual disturbance is certainly noticeable and some may feel it takes away from the idea of self sufficiency,” Patterson says. “We decided to continue to paint them because they provide a benefit for visitors to help them safely navigate the Keyhole Route.”
Wilderness Ethics Versus Public Access
The debate over the bull’s-eyes also highlights broader issues of wilderness management. Lloyd Athearn, executive director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), has worked as a volunteer climbing ranger in the NPS and is heavily involved in climbing access and policy issues at CFI and the American Alpine Club.
“The Forest Service takes a more purist line on when installations, trail signs, and cairns are needed in wilderness,” he explains. “The Park Service, rather, has a dual mission of rendering these places accessible for the public, while also protecting natural systems for future generations.”
Although Longs Peak is under the sole jurisdiction of the NPS, Athearn works closely with other land management bureaus, which he feels underscores the importance of understanding the limitations of human-made trail markings.
“CFI’s principal mission is protecting these rare and fragile alpine ecosystems. These trails are not designed to make the mountain safer—they are an added benefit—but, ultimately, we cannot make these mountains not dangerous with a sign or cairn,” says Athearn.
Though the spray paint’s intention is to stand out, rather than blend in with its environment, hikers also have an important responsibility in maintaining navigational aids to avoid hiking off-trail or trampling fragile ecosystems. “When put up by a land manager, spray paint and rock cairns are great directional resources,” says Faith Overall, community engagement manager for Leave No Trace. “But when folks build cairns for fun or art, it can lead to dangerous situations of leading hikers off-route and disturbing habitats.”
Although neon yellow and red aren’t natural palettes of the environment, Overall argues that these spray-painted markers differ from vandalism, as they serve a vital safety function. “Leave No Trace is concerned with the social impact of spray paint,” Overall says. “However, spray painted cairns are a lot different from your typical graffiti defacing a natural area, as it pertains to route-finding and safety.”
Know Before You Go
Mindy Williford of Broomfield has reached the summit of Longs Peak 37 times. An experienced climber who’s completed all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, she aims to be one of the few women to stand upon the summit of this Diamond-shaped colossus more than 100 times. In her multitude of experiences, she’s redirected off-course hikers, citing an underestimation of the route as a common expectation for many visitors.
“For a lot of people, they may take the bull’s-eye markers, which are significantly easier to spot than traditional rock cairns, and assume all Class 3 mountains are easy to navigate,” Williford explains. “On many other fourteeners with no trail, that’s not the standard. They require more nuanced navigation.”
Athearn echoes this sentiment, citing that many people often don’t ascertain a new toolbox of skills, including “a mountain sense of situational awareness” when navigating off-trail Class 3 and 4 mountains. He also questions if the accessibility of online information has undermined the importance of self-reliance and good old-fashioned research.
“Despite rigorously detailed route information and photos online being accessible as ever, people seem to be less able to navigate in the mountains,” Athearn says. “They are so caught up in readily available information, they aren’t taking a sober analysis of if they even have the skills to do this.”
While these trail markers are a valuable reference point in the mountains, it’s imperative for climbers to obtain their own arsenal of directional skills. “Know the route beforehand, make sure its muscle memory because there are so many other considerations once you’re out there,” Patterson strongly advises. “Each section has its own hazards, and you need to be sharp-of-mind the whole time.”
For prospective climbers, navigational expertise is only the tip of the iceberg. It’s important to wear a helmet, be aware of one’s surroundings, stay on trail, and hike with an experienced partner. It takes the average hiker 10 to 15 hours to climb Longs, so most begin their ascent between midnight and three in the morning. Always check in: How’s the weather? Mountain conditions? How am I feeling, altitude-wise? Do I have enough fuel and water?
Williford also stresses the importance of self-reliance: “There is no substitute for having route-finding skills of your own. Be aware of the last bull’s-eye you saw, as shortcutting can get treacherous,” she said. “Know your route well; the bull’s-eyes should just be there to confirm you’re on track.”
Striking a Balance
The spray-painted bull’s-eyes on Longs Peak are a testament to the ongoing effort to balance safety and wilderness preservation. While they provide essential guidance in notoriously formidable terrain, climbers must not become overly reliant on these markers. Athearn emphasizes the key to a successful and safe excursion lies in preparation, self-sufficiency, and an unwavering respect for the mountain.
“Years ago, people knew this was a perilous undertaking, and only when you progressed from one skill set did you move on to the next,” Athearn explains. “Now, there’s a greater familiarity in it. It degrades the sense of inherent respect that people should be putting in these mountains.”
With proper preparation and cognitive vigilance, utilizing these century-old bull’s-eyes on Longs’ Keyhole Route can offer a sublime experience. The paint reminds us that while Rocky’s grandeur demands respect, a splash of human ingenuity can offer peace of mind for many climbers when utilized as a guide, not a crutch.
Photos courtesy Ariella Nardizzi, courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park
