Longs Peak Trailhead: Chasm Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Longs Peak Trailhead: Chasm Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park
In a deep cirque basin enclosed by the steep flanks of Mt Meeker (13,911'), Longs Peak (14,259') and Mount Lady Washington (13,281') sits Chasm Lake, a strikingly beautiful alpine lake in the upper-reaches of a rugged glacial gorge. Dramatically rising some 2,456 vertical feet above the center of Chasm Lake is Longs Peak's iconic, northeast-facing 'Diamond'.
| Related Trails: | Chasm Lake |
The Chasm Lake Trail quickly rises into alpine tundra, a fragile yet resilient ecosystem
Steep and precarious snowfields may linger year round on the Chasm Lake Trail
Looking back east toward Estes Cone and the Twin Sisters
After the final split to Chasm Lake, the trail heads into a vast and beautiful glacial valley
Plants of the tundra produce pigments capable of converting the sun's light rays into heat
The trail scrambles up this steep boulder field to a crest overlooking Chasm Lake
Chasm Lake (seen here from its outlet) with the Longs Peak Diamond face in the background
Columbine flourish in the sun-exposed tundra
Marmot are frequently seen in the rocky tundra leading to Chasm Lake
The Chasm Lake Trail heads up a narrow gorge overlooking Peacock Pool
Columbine Falls
The trail crosses the valley on this alpine bench before making a steep rock scramble to the lake
Steep slopes limit circumnavigation, but outcrops on the east shore afford good vantages of the lake and a little room to explore
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