AT THE FEET OF THE GIANT: CHASM LAKE AND STORM PEAK

Hike date: Friday, September 2, 2005. Trailhead: Longs Peak Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park Starting elevation: 9,400 feet; Highest elevation on the hike: 13,326 feet Route: East Longs Peak Trail past Chasm Junction to Chasm Lake for the sunrise. Returned to Chasm Junction, then proceeded to Granite Pass and the Boulder Field via the main trail. Next, left the trail near the Boulder Field campsite and ascended direct to the summit of Storm Peak via its east ridge. Finally, returned to the trailhead via the main trail. Total trip distance: About 14 miles. Weather/trail conditions: Perfect weather with sunshine and no clouds, with calm winds. Trail completely snow-free and dry.

I decided to return to the Longs Peak Trail for another Rocky Mountain adventure over the Labor Day weekend, with my sights set on watching the sunrise at Chasm Lake. Although this required being on the trail before 4 A.M., it was no different than a climb up Longs Peak in terms of the early start. So, with flashlight in hand, I started up the chilly pre-dawn trail.

Dawn reflection at Chasm Lake

Dawn at Chasm Lake

As I continued above timberline, the scene was very similar to my hikes to the summit of Longs Peak. I was surrounded by dozens of hiking parties, both ahead of and behind me, identified only by tiny flashlight bulbs against the dark veil of night. I reached the Chasm Lake trail junction as first light was taking hold, where I left the Longs Peak trail and headed toward Chasm Lake. The sun was still nearly an hour from emerging above the horizon, but already there was enough light to illuminate the rocks and I put away my flashlight. After reaching Chasm Meadows, I quickly scrambled the final ascent to Chasm Lake, arriving in time to see the first signs of alpenglow on the surrounding cliffs and rock faces.

Sunrise on the Ship's Prow

Longs Peak, Chasm Lake at sunrise

The spectacle of sunrise at Chasm Lake that I had expected did not disappoint. Chasm Lake, sitting in what many consider the most dramatic cirque in Colorado, is jaw-dropping in its beauty in any light. With the towering rock walls enhanced with the reds, oranges, and yellows of sunrise, the setting at Chasm Lake was unmatched on this morning. The weather was also perfect, the kind of crisp and cool day that can often be found in the brief alpine autumn, when summer thunderstorms are less frequent, and the harshness of winter has not yet set in.

Sunrise reflection in Chasm Lake

Chasm Lake, sunrise

Sunrise on Longs Peak's East Face

Sunrise reflection, Chasm Lake

I continued to watch the colors change by the moment, as the light turned brighter and from red to yellow as it bathed the East Face of Longs Peak. The waters of Chasm Lake remained perfectly still in the cool morning hours, reflecting the wonders of the surrounding scene. This was an unbelievably beautiful and serene spot, certainly too much so to have to myself. There was a spiritual, timeless magic in the air that I most often experience here in the mountains.

Close-up of the climbers

Climbers on the East Face

As the sunrise colors gave way to those of early morning, some "wildlife" was stirring to start the day. I heard voices for the first time since arriving at the lake, and turned back toward the trail to see where the voices had originated. No one was coming up the trail. After hearing the voices echo again, I realized I was looking in the wrong direction - the voices were above and behind me. Looking up on the Diamond of the East Face, I saw two climbers emerging from their bivouac and resuming a two-day ascent of the mighty face. Their small tent, anchored to the rock wall, had been their shelter in the darkness, at least as much shelter as one can find suspended on a sheer cliff with a 1500 foot drop-off. I watched them through my camera, amazed at how slowly they were moving up the wall, dwarfed by the massive face and rock walls in the Chasm Lake/Longs Peak cirque. I was content to be here at the feet of the giant, while these bold adventurers climbed its very body.

Early morning colors at Chasm Meadows

Grass and stream, Chasm Meadows

After watching the hikers gain only several feet of elevation in about fifteen minutes, I decided the weather would permit me to seek higher elevations as well. I had my heart set on reaching Storm Peak's 13,326' summit for over a year, and excitedly accepted that this was the day to finally reach the top. So, I left Chasm Lake and returned past Chasm Meadows and Columbine Falls to the main trail. Even without the garden of summer wildflowers, the meadows showcased a spectrum of vibrant colors on this sunny autumn morning.

Columbine Falls

Pika near the Boulder Field