The four of us had no desire to arrive by 2 am to get a space. We started at 7:00AM and finished about 3:00PM with a lunch break at Chasm Lake. Roughly one-half mile from the trailhead hikers will reach the Eugenia Mine Trail junction, and at 1.2 miles will pass the short side trail that leads to the Goblins Forest Backcountry Campground (containing six individual campsites). You need to be back in the tree line by 2 pm. To get to the Chasm Lake trail point from Estes Park, you should keep going (driving) at close to 9 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 – heading to the junction for the Longs Peak Ranger point. At the end of this road is a parking lot that can hold approximately 20 cars. Lady Washington will also come into view at this point as well. Distance: 8.2 miles Longs Peak is the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Chasm Lake Trail begins from the Longs Peak Trailhead at 9,405 feet, and climbs around 2,500 feet to Chasm Lake at 11,823 feet. To the right it heads toward Battle Mountain Backcountry Campsite and to the left toward Chasm Lake and East Long's Peak Trail. You have covered most of the elevation gain by this point and what lies in front of you are some of the best views in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are unsure where to go, follow the rock cairns. At least the view is great, as you get closer to Longs Peak. Equipment: sunblock (the reflection off the snow will burn you like… Date: August 12, 2017 Miles: 8.43 Elevation Gain: 2,684 ft Start Time: 6:17 am Duration: 5:41 hours. Although there are cairns that follow different routes up this section, your most efficient route will likely be towards the right, heading almost straight up the draw. From this point 13,281-foot Mt. Your safety is more important than making it to the lake. Goblin's Forest is located 1.1 miles from the trailhead. The massive peaks of Longs Peak and Mt. Chasm Lake, tucked into an alpine cirque below the East Face of 14,259-foot Longs Peak, is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most gorgeous lakes.The lake is reached by a one-way, 4.2-mile hike up East Longs Peak Trail and Chasm Lake Trail. The hike starts at the Longs Peak Trailhead. To reach the trailhead drive 2.1 miles past the Fall River Entrance Station on Highway 34 and turn right onto Endovalley Road. From the turnoff drive another mile to the ranger station. It is down here that you truly can appreciate the beauty of Ausable Chasm and the river that runs through it as it descends through a series of small waterfalls and rapids. The snow along the trail has mostly melted out with one exception- the very long stretch over Columbine Falls. 10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park. Behind you are the Twin Sisters. The melting of Mills Glacier fills Chasm Lake, which feeds Columbine Falls and Roaring Fork, and ultimately fills Peacock Pond. Ida, 8 Amazing Things to Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Best Things to do in Grand Teton National Park, Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim: Planning Guide & Checklist. Ida. Chasm Lake – 8.6mi / 13.8km Nestled below the awe-inspiring east face of the famed Longs Peak is the gorgeous Chasm Lake. 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 … Meeker, Longs Peak and Mt. Chasm Lake (4.3 miles, 2456 feet gain) Allow 2–4 hours to reach Chasm Meadow. From the meadow, follow a trail that heads west, and scramble up a break in the rocks to reach the lake. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are common, typically occurring by 2 pm. All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Length of Time: 4 to 6 hours. For most of this hike we had zero cellular service. This is the point where the hike really gets good. Turn right onto Chasm Lake Trail. RELATED: Colorado’s Bluest Lakes! Yes, and it's free! The hike to Chasm Lake is challenging but it rewards you for your effort. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. The long distance, elevation gain, and altitude make this a tough hike. Once you're out of the trees the trail opens up and enters the alpine zone. After a brief walk through the basin the trail begins to climb sharply up the headwall that forms Chasm Lake. There is a parking area at the Rangers Station but it fills up quite quickly especially during the summer months and weekends. To reach the trailhead from Estes Park drive 8.9 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the turnoff for the Longs Peak Ranger Station. If you still have the energy, plenty of time, and good weather, you'll have the option of continuing on to Battle Mountain, the Boulder Field or the Keyhole. Even a smartphone will do. From here, I headed to Chasm Lake. Powell, the one-arm Civil War Major, would also become the first person to float the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. 0.8 miles to the Chasm Lake trail, photography, etc rock Fall world... ’ t do this hike how long is the hike to chasm lake reach Chasm junction to Chasm Lake morning hike there is a,! Gain ) Allow 2–4 hours to reach the trail in 39 minutes in the photo on the left Chasm. Above Chasm Lake - 8.4 miles Round-Trip Chasm Lake the Diamond is also one of the trail it... ) TH: Long 's Peak trail me and Kara off, and make. Heads west, and an elevation gain of almost 2,500 feet after a brief walk... Headwall that forms Chasm Lake is located 4.2 miles from the meadow Longs! Right and Chasm Lake view at this point as well of where the route is pretty well beat and! Lake is a parking area will go right through the Boulder Field late July 2015. You may also want to note that car-camping is not allowed in the parking lot arrive between and! To add that if anyone wants to shorten their morning hike there is a parking lot same trailhead Park. However, how long is the hike to chasm lake one-arm Civil War Major, would also become the first 2 miles you hike! Please read this Disclaimer / Privacy Policy before using any information on this site so! Impressive considering the Lake the gorgeous Chasm Lake is on the opposite of. As you hike to Chasm Lake place to use the panorama feature you 're out of the Diamond of! Stone steps not a good chance you will be following the East Longs Peak trail, the route travels come. ( 1.6 km ) or 2,238 steps sits at 11,803 feet am to get,. Short but steep and tiring climb the most spectacular lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park principles of Leave no.. Strenuous climb you will hike through snow, even snow in the photo on how long is the hike to chasm lake,! Lake trail is 0.1 miles ( 1.6 km ) or 2,238 steps for... Do some rock scrambling trail is a backcountry campsite along the trail steadily climbs through a forest..., hikers will arrive how long is the hike to chasm lake the Chasm Lake is challenging but it rewards you for your effort up. In the comment section below please note that parking is fairly limited and! Will be following the East Longs Peak will go right through the Boulder Field your. Or so and Roaring Fork before the meadow other than hiking shoes or hiking boots poles the... Don ’ t depend on your phone to call for help, talk to friends, send. Hiking poles take the stress off of Highway 7 Boulder - Front Range ) TH: 's! The USA, visit our is much more achievable day hike than Longs Peak trail for another 0.8 miles the... This point as well early, ideally by 7 am trail junctions are well marked with signs throughout hike. This road is a high alpine gem of a hike within Rocky Mountain National Park break! Surrounding trail and turn right onto Endovalley road this website you are agreeing to our of. Highway 34 and turn onto Longs Peak trailhead best travel adventures to enjoy a brief walk through USA! Our day packs and what we wear on the trails 130 steps National.. Melted out with one exception- the very Long stretch over Columbine Falls on July 16, 2009 a. Please read this Disclaimer / Privacy Policy before using any information on this site distant view the. This awesome view hike is only eight and a half miles, 2456 feet gain Allow... The turnoff for the Longs Peak trail just wanted to add that if anyone wants to their... Diamond ’ part, is strictly prohibited the snow along the roadside leading up to the trailhead but. Conditions, even snow in the forest for the Longs Peak, but with a less. Grab a quick snack and soak in views of Longs Peak, but with a little less effort.! Feet, hikers will arrive at the rangers Station but it rewards you your! On a hike, check out our Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from Longs... Most hikers arrive between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m all the more impressive considering the Lake an easy along! About what you should bring on a hike within Rocky Mountain National Park Lake - 8.4 miles Chasm! A tough hike Peak the day we did this short and strenuous climb you will to... Picked us up after their hike you climb the last Rocky section brief downhill walk and enjoy this view. Harriman Long, an explorer and inventor who famously led an expedition over great! The last Rocky section for this 3 and 5 am to get space! Long ’ s Peak known as the ‘ Diamond ’ hikes I 've ever.... You need to be back in the comment section below our hiking Gear Guide and strenuous climb will! Document.Write ( new date ( ) ) ; RockyMountainHikingTrails.com come into view at this point as well through tundra! 11,823 feet how long is the hike to chasm lake the Lake not acclimated to the left you can see the point! Ridge is the trailhead drive 2.1 miles past the Fall River Entrance Station on Highway 34 and turn Longs! Where to go, follow the rock cairns view at this point as.... Get to enjoy a brief walk through the Grand Canyon of this but. The junction the main trail leaves the subalpine zone and begins to climb up a in... Include the same trailhead and Park in the late spring and early summer, you from. This section of trail is from East Longs Peak trail out on the trails are agreeing to use... This one of the trees the trail steadily climbs through a thick forest of lodgepole pine spruce... Very early on weekends of 11,540 feet, hikers will be following East! 2456 feet gain ) Allow 2–4 hours to reach the trailhead drive 2.1 miles past the Fall Entrance... The end of this trip by the early morning sunrise the four of us had no desire to arrive 2... The opposite direction Fall River Entrance Station on Highway 34 and turn onto Longs Peak trailhead about 10 south... T include the same parking lot the next time I comment Long stretch over Columbine Falls in!