Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Spectacle Lakes These lakes lie in a spectacular setting near the base of Ypsilon Mountain. The last half mile of this hike is a steep ascent with no maintained trail, and requires route finding and brief rock scrambling to reach the lakes.

Distance: 5.0 miles one-way Lakes elevation: 11,350/11,360 feet Trailhead elevation: 8,540 feet Net elevation gain: 2,810 feet Lawn Lake Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

Ypsilon Mountain, Spectacle Lakes

The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Spectacle Lakes to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)

Major Trail Landmarks Junction of Ypsilon Lake and Lawn Lake Trails (1.3 miles one-way from trailhead) Chipmunk Lake (4.1 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Spectacle Lakes Ypsilon Lake (4.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Ypsilon Lake Trail Chiquita Lake (5.3 miles one-way from trailhead) - via off-trail route past Ypsilon Lake

Backcountry Campsites on the trail to Spectacle Lakes Upper Chipmunk [PDF Link] - (4.2 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 10,640' - 2 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. Follow the Lawn Lake Trail for 1.3 miles to the junction with the Ypsilon Lake Trail. Take the Ypsilon Lake Trail across a bridge over Roaring River, and continue for nearly three miles to tiny Chipmunk Lake. Beyond Chipmunk, follow the Ypsilon Lake Trail for about a quarter mile to the point where the trail heads sharply downhill toward Ypsilon Lake. At this point, leave the trail and look for a small path on the north side of Ypsilon Lake's inlet creek. Follow this path as it leads west along the creek, then follow cairns as the route heads north up a very steep ridge. Near the top of the ridge, follow the creek to the lower of the two lakes. There are some rocks near the top of the ridge that require scrambling to ascend and this section of the route may be too difficult for hikers unaccustomed to basic climbing moves.

Sample photographs of the hike to Spectacle Lakes

Off-trail route to Spectacle Lakes

Cascade at outlet of Spectacle Lakes

Lower Spectacle Lake

Lake outlet and view toward Longs Peak

Spectacle Lakes topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail/route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map USGS Quad Map: Trail Ridge (CO) - Latitude: 40.449 deg. N - Longitude: 105.674 deg. W

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION (PAGE ONE)

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION (PAGE TWO)

LINK TO A PHOTO TRIP REPORT TO SPECTACLE LAKES

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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.