How long will the Keyhole route take?
The Keyhole climb should take anywhere from 8 to 14 hours, depending on weather and level of fitness. Most people plan on a 12 hour day. It is about the same time up and down. This being said, I talked to a 24 year-old one summer at the trailhead who had just made the round-trip in 5 hours! He ran it … You need to be off the summit by noon in the summer time so that means being on the trail before 6:00 AM at the absolute latest. Some people start as early as 2:00 AM just to be sure. The Loft is a bit shorter by mileage but a little longer by time due to a few difficult areas. If you start before 3:00 AM and are not at the Keyhole by 9:00AM, turn back, you are going too slow. If you are not on the summit by noon, turn back, you are putting your life in danger from lightning. Thunderstorms develop quickly so even if it is clear, turn back. If there are clouds forming turn back.
