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Trail Description
Worth Noting
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Ypsilon Lake: 8.75 miles

Lawn Lake Trailhead

Description

The unassuming hike to Ypsilon Lake is quietly a challenging one, but certainly worth the effort. Anticipate steady climbing through non-descript forest to a beautiful subalpine lake nestled in a remote corner of Rocky Mountain National Park's Mummy Range.

A 534’ climb from the trailhead levels out high atop the east bank of Roaring River (1.0 mile : 9,074’). En route you’ll enjoy good views of Horseshoe Park below. The trail turns north along the riverbank and follows a much gentler grade to the Ypsilon Lake Trail junction (1.45 miles : 9,190’).

A footbridge leads over a passive section of river, turns sharply southwest and climbs steeply through a uniform lodgepole pine forest. The trail eases momentarily after 2 miles and turns decisively northwest up a heavily wooded ridge top. From here, with only brief exception, the trail keeps a moderately steep and rocky grade through uneventful forest until reaching its apex (3.8 miles : 10,772’) and descending toward Ypsilon Lake

The trail drops quickly from the ridge top into the narrow, high-subalpine valley in which Ypsilon Lake is tucked. On the descent you’ll pass Chipmunk Lake (4 miles : 10,682’), a small but scenic pond framed by Ypsilon Mountain (13,514’) and the southwest flank of Fairchild Mountain (13,502’) to the north.

The trail dips and rolls along the uneven valley floor to the northwest shore of Ypsilon Lake (4.37 miles : 10,664’). The vantage from here is quite limited, though easy maneuvering along social trails above the lake’s west shore leads to friendly stretches of open shoreline and excellent views of Ypsilon and Fairchild mountains.

A logjam at Ypsilon Lake’s south end makes further circumnavigation difficult, however the outlet spills into a very pretty, more accessible meadow that’s seldom explored by day hikers. A social trail leads a few steps from the north shore to a lively waterfall; this unmaintained trail continues above the falls approximately .75 miles to the Spectacle Lakes, two sensational alpine lakes filling a shapely cirque beneath Ypsilon Mountain. Reaching them requires good endurance and basic scrambling skills.

Worth Noting

The Mummy Range’s middle and upper reaches generally face south-southeast, making the slopes up which you’re climbing warmer than most of comparable elevations. One result is a higher-than-average treeline, and the presence of lodgepole pine at elevations where spruce and fir would normally dominate.

On July 15, 1982, the Lawn Lake Dam - a 26’ high earthen dam - failed. The dam released 674 acre-feet (219,724,000 gallons) of water at an estimated peak discharge rate of 18,000 cubic feet (134,640 gallons) per second down the Roaring River valley. Three people were killed and damages totaled $31 million. As a result, sections of the Roaring River’s high gully walls are unstable today and prone to sudden collapse.

No horses are allowed beyond the 4.2 mile mark.

The summits of Ypsilon Mountain, Mt Chiquita and Mt Chapin can be reached from the Chapin Pass Trailhead.

Trailhead Information

Ypsilon Lake is accessed from the Lawn Lake Trailhead in the north-central section of Rocky Mountain National Park. The Lawn Lake Trailhead is located 5.0 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Directions: The Lawn Lake Trailhead is located 2 miles north of Highway 36 along Fall River Road. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station, continue west on Highway 36 past Bear Lake Road to Deer Ridge Junction (3 miles). Turn Right at Deer Ridge Junction onto highway 34 and drive 1.9 miles to Fall River Road. Turn left onto Fall River Road and the Lawn Lake Trailhead will be immediately on your right-hand side.

Local Contact Information

Rocky Mountain National Park
Visitor Information:
970.586.1206

Backcountry:
970.586.1242

Campground Reservations:
800-365-2267