From the Longs Peak Trailhead, follow a wide path that climbs steadily through ponderosa pine toward Chasm Lake and the summit of Longs. This trailhead is more remote than others in the national park, but as the gateway to the park's only fourteener, it can be a veritable highway of hikers in July and August.
Switchbacks occasionally edging mountain streams eventually reach treeline just past mile two. From here, the trail heads across a wide, rocky basin toward Longs Peak, which is now in view. Crest a small ridge at mile 3.2 —this is a great place to drop your pack for a quick snack, photo op, and use the privy, if necessary. (Why not? It has no roof and a great view of Longs' 1,000-foot Diamond Face.)
From here, edge left down into the valley that leads up to the Diamond. In early to mid summer, cross a patch of snow on the descent to columbine-lined stream crossings in front of the patrol cabin that sits at the base of the class-II scramble. Chasm Lake is still out of view.
South of the cabin, scout out cairns on the rock above. Although other routes through the short cliff-bands are doable, the cairns mark the easiest route, and it's a good practice to stay on the designated trail.
In five or ten minutes, summit your scramble to impressive views of the Diamond and icy Chasm Lake at its base. Shoo away aggressive marmots and chipmunks as you search for climbers on the Diamond and Ship's Prow, to the left.
PERMIT: Overnight camping in Rocky Mountain National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/backco untry.htm.
MORE PARK INFO: Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 586-1206; nps.gov/romo.
-Mapped by Jenn Fields
TO TRAILHEAD: From Estes Park, take CO 7 E. Turn right toward Longs Peak Campground (marked by brown National Park sign). Turn left at the Y-junction, and park in trailhead lot.
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Chasm Lake
| Dist: 4.10 mi |
Points: 209 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Chasm Lake
CHA001
Location: 40.271774°, -105.556450°
Trailhead and Longs Peak Ranger Station is well equipped with modern toilets, but can be very crowded on summer weekends.
CHA002
Location: 40.274994°, -105.564110°
Turn left at the Y-junction half a mile from the trailhead.
CHA003
Location: 40.272994°, -105.570524°
Pass the spur trail that leads to a backcountry campsite.
CHA004
Location: 40.273212°, -105.580032°
Cross an upper branch of Alpine Creek on two sturdy wooden bridges.
CHA005
Location: 40.270432°, -105.578568°
Around 10,700 feet, the steep, stair-stepped trail crosses treeline. Look for the Twin Sisters across the valley.
CHA006
Location: 40.270691°, -105.581444°
Lift your eyes off the trail and start watching for views of Longs Peak's Diamond Face to the southwest.
CHA007
Location: 40.270828°, -105.584282°
Turn left at Y-junction following signs for Chasm Lake.
CHA008
Location: 40.267544°, -105.591400°
Above treeline, the rocky path is cairn-marked in some stretches. Pass a cairn here.
CHA009
Location: 40.265656°, -105.592537°
Turn left at this Y-junction. The well-traveled path to Longs Peak veers right at this point.
CHA010
Location: 40.265625°, -105.591950°
Privy: This outhouse has excellent 360 views. Go even if you don't have to.
CHA011
Location: 40.264179°, -105.594811°
Peacock Pool is the small lake to the south; Chasm Lake is out of view, beyond the moraine to the southwest.
CHA012
Location: 40.258827°, -105.600601°
Bear left for yet another photogenic privy before your arrival at the lake.
CHA013
Location: 40.258595°, -105.601021°
Patrol cabin: Hopefully you'll never need to meet the rangers that work here.
CHA014
Location: 40.258172°, -105.602818°
Chasm Lake: Bring binoculars to seek out climbers ascending the Diamond Face. Turn around and retrace your steps to the trailhead.
Trailhead
Location: 40.271750°, -105.556254°
Longs Peak Trailhead © Jenn Fields
Creek
Location: 40.274189°, -105.577948°
The trail crosses and parallels several creeks before it reaches treeline. © Jenn Fields
Bridge
Location: 40.273223°, -105.579794°
A sturdy bridge eases the crossing of an upper branch of Alpine Creek. © Jenn Fields
Valley View
Location: 40.270423°, -105.578377°
At treeline, a hiker scopes out the valley below. © Jenn Fields
Scrub
Location: 40.270702°, -105.581210°
The trail turns rockier above treeline. Longs Peak looms above and left. © Jenn Fields
Sign
Location: 40.270767°, -105.584064°
All of the trail junctions on this route are well-marked. © Jenn Fields
Split
Location: 40.265642°, -105.592368°
The trail to Chasm Lake continues left from here, straight for Longs Peak. © Jenn Fields
Privy
Location: 40.265577°, -105.591767°
Pretty view from the privy © Jenn Fields
Peacock Pool
Location: 40.264169°, -105.594406°
Peacock Pool © Jenn Fields
Columbine
Location: 40.258823°, -105.600489°
Columbine burst from between rocks beneath Chasm Lake in mid-July. © Jenn Fields
Patrol Cabin and Ship's Prow
Location: 40.258585°, -105.600758°
Patrol Cabin: Say hi to the rangers as you pass -- hopefully you'll never have to meet them on a rescue. © Jenn Fields
Scramble
Location: 40.258290°, -105.601691°
Follow the cairns. They mark the easiest way over this class-II scramble. © Jenn Fields
Chasm Lake
Location: 40.258176°, -105.602759°
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