Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Chasm Lake

The hike to Chasm Lake is a popular hike to one of the area's highest and most dramatic lakes. Nestled at
the foot of Longs Peak's famous east face, Chasm Lake is a favorite destination. The final 0.1 mile approach
to the lake involves some very basic route finding and scrambling as the trail ascends through a steep, rocky area.
Distance: 4.2 miles one-way

Lake elevation: 11,760 feet

Trailhead elevation: 9,400 feet

Net elevation gain: 2,360 feet

Longs Peak Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Sunrise reflection at Chasm Lake
The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Chasm Lake to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)
Major Trail Landmarks
Junction of trail to Eugenia Mine / Estes Cone (0.6 miles from trailhead)
Junction of trails to Chasm Lake and Longs Peak (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Chasm Lake
Mount Lady Washington (4.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Longs Peak Trail to an unmaintained route
Mount Meeker (5.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Chasm Lake Trail to an unmaintained route
Longs Peak (7.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via East Longs Peak Trail
Backcountry Campsites near Chasm Lake
Goblin's Forest [PDF Link] - (1.2 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 10,120' - 6 individual sites
Battle Mountain [PDF Link] - (2.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 11,000' - 1 group site
The Longs Peak Trailhead is on the east side of the Continental Divide between Estes Park and the village of
Meeker Park. Longs Peak Road provides access to the trailhead from Colorado Highway 7. Turn west on
to Longs Peak Road from Highway 7 at a junction approximately 9 miles south of Estes Park, or 2 miles
north of Meeker Park. Look for a left (south) turn to the trailhead parking area, about 1 mile from
Highway 7, where Longs Peak Road continues straight (west) to the Longs Peak Campground.

About 3.5 miles from the Longs Peak Trailhead, the Chasm Lake Trail splits from the East Longs Peak
Trail and heads south. This 0.7 mile trail to the lake heads downhill to a creek crossing just above
Columbine Falls. Just beyond a Park Service patrol cabin, the trail disappears in the rock slabs, but
routes to the lake are marked with cairns. Most of this trail is above timberline, so special attention
must be given to weather conditions. Large snowfields near the lake may persist into summer months,
and should be crossed with extra caution.
Sample photographs of the hike to Chasm Lake
East Longs Peak Trail south of Jims Grove
Longs Peak, Chasm Lake trail junction
Columbine Falls
Sunrise from Chasm Lake
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LINK TO A PHOTO TRIP REPORT TO CHASM LAKE & STORM PEAK
Chasm Lake Reflection (Gallery Photo)
Chasm Lake Sunrise (Gallery Photo)
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Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.