Adventures in Hiking (& other stuff): RMNP

It has been awhile since I posted any journal entries, so I am behind. This is a hike to Crystal Lake on the northeast side of RMNP made July 6. Crystal Lake sits at the base of Fairchild Mountain at almost 11500'. The lake is surrounded by three 13000' mountains; Fairchild Mountain, Hague's Peak, and Mummy Mountain. The hike is from the Lawn Lake Trailhead through Lawn Lake then up to Crystal Lakes.

I hit the trail at 0800. The trail immediately begins a climb to the plateau above the Roaring River. The headwaters of Roaring River are at Crystal Lake. This area of the trail and the river were severely damaged both in the Lawn Lake flood of 1982 and the Sept, 2013 flood. As usual this time of hear there were plenty of flowers out.

Roaring River

Typical Trail

Tenacious Wildflowers

Wildflower

Once on the top of the first plateau, the trail works its way along the river with a moderate incline, deep in a forest of Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine (I think), with a healthy smattering of large glacial boulders for accent. There are several small backcountry campgrounds set back from the river and near the end of the plateau.

The trail now begins to make a healthy climb towards Lawn Lake. This is a long stretch of 13 switchbacks with as much as a quarter mile or so between them. By the time you reach the last switchback and begin the more moderate climb to Lawn Lake you have had a good workout. While on the way back down, I met several up-hikers working their way to Lawn Lake. Many of them looked very tired and worn out. I always find it difficult to answer the questions; "how much further to the lake" and "how much longer before the climb moderates". I don't want to make it sound easy, but also don't want to make it sound too hard so they are discouraged. Usually I answer with a distance that is a little further than it actually is, but tell them the incline moderates some soon. Nice qualified answers! The junction with the Black Canyon Trail marks the home stretch to Lawn Lake. Lawn Lake is a very pretty lake set against the cirque formed the Fairchild, Hague's, and Mummy. There is a backcountry campground and a Patrol Cabin here.

Lawn Lake and "the Saddle"

Lawn Lake from inlet

Lawn Lake from Ridgeline

To get to Crystal Lakes, you must work you way around Lawn Lake then make a steep climb to the next ridge. The trail around Lawn Lake is brushy and swampy, especially this time of year. There continues to be significant snowmelt. As I neared the halfway point of the climb to Crystal Lakes, I turned to admire the view. Just below me was someone actually trail-running up the hill. I was floored. She passed me just a bit before I reached Crystal Lakes. I admire both trail-runners and mountain bikers. They seem to be quite the athletes.

Trail on top of ridge

More wildflowers

Snowmelt waterfall off Mummy Mountain

Marmot

Headwaters of Roaring River

I was rewarded for the climb to Crystal Lakes with three small lakes and alot of water flowing. Words really can't describe the solitude, peace, and beauty of the place.