The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Crystal Lake

The trail to Crystal Lake leads deep in to the Mummy Range in the northeast part of Rocky Mountain National Park. The main trail follows Roaring River to Lawn Lake, then continues as an unimproved path beyond Lawn Lake. Crystal Lake is in an impressive cirque below Fairchild Mountain.

Distance: 7.7 miles one-way Lake elevation: 11,520 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,540 feet Net elevation gain: 2,980 feet Lawn Lake Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

Fairchild Mountain and Crystal Lake

Major Trail Landmarks Junction of Lawn Lake and Ypsilon Lake Trails (1.3 miles one-way from trailhead) Junction of Lawn Lake and Black Canyon Trails (5.6 miles one-way from trailhead) Lawn Lake (6.2 miles one-way from trailhead) - end of maintained trail Junction of unimproved trails to Crystal Lake and The Saddle (7.0 miles one-way from trailhead) Little Crystal Lake (7.6 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Crystal Lake The Saddle (8.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unimproved trail beyond Lawn Lake

Backcountry Campsites Near Crystal Lake Lawn Lake (6.2 miles one-way from trailhead) - 5 individual sites

The Lawn Lake Trailhead is located on the east side of the Continental Divide in the northeast portion of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trailhead is located just off U.S. Highway 34 in the Horseshoe Park area. To reach Horseshoe Park, drive on Highway 34 west of Estes Park to the Fall River Entrance Station. Continue west past the station for just over 2 miles to where the highway turns south beyond Sheep Lakes, and turn right (west) on to Fall River Road. The trailhead parking area is just 0.1 mile after this turn, on the right (north) side of Fall River Road. The trailhead can also be reached from Highway 36 at Deer Ridge Junction by taking Highway 34 north to Horseshoe Park, and turning left (west) on to Fall River Road. From the trailhead, hike the Lawn Lake Trail for 6.2 miles to Lawn Lake. Continue on the trail along the north side of Lawn Lake, as the path narrows but continues as a visible trail. This trail splits west of Lawn Lake, with the left-hand trail leading southwest to Crystal Lake (the right-hand trail leads to The Saddle).

Sample photographs of the hike to Crystal Lake

Lawn Lake from the trail to Crystal Lake

Mule deer in meadows near Crystal Lake

Alpine flowers and Fairchild Mountain

Hagues Peak from Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.