To Ypsilon Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

I'm not recommending this hike for good reason, getting there might kill you. 

The hike starts easy enough at the Lawn Lake trailhead and I follow that trail approximately 2 miles to the Ypsilon trail cutoff. There I encounter a possible life threatening obstacle. The bridge that crosses the Roaring River is out, a result of the 2013 flood. Crossing the river shouldn't be taken lightly. Unexpected things can happen in these situations. Careful decisions have to be made. 

This risk will have to be repeated on the return. That crossing can be even more risky coming at the end of the day when you're tired, ready to be done and not thinking clearly. Think twice before attempting something you might regret. 

I ignore the advise from the National Park and I do manage to cross the river safely. From here the remaining _ miles to Ypsilon Lk is pretty straight forward, and even a little boring. First the trail heads up in a southwest direction bringing me to the top of a ridge before turning in a northwest direction. At the point where the trail makes the bend, I venture a short way off the trail to take in the view of the expansive valley that is Horseshoe Park. It's important to do this because that's the last interesting view you will get for the next 4 miles. 

Once I leave the Horseshoe Park overlook, the trail follows along the top of the ridge enclosed with monotonous lodge pole pines that drop off on both sides. Eventually, the ridge broadens out to flatness and I become lost in thought and time passes unnoticed.

There's a story Joe Evans tells in his book, Death, Despair, and Second Chances in Rocky Mountain National Park. In 1905, three young men, Louis Raymond Levings, George Black and Dean Babcock are camping and hiking in the Mummy Range. Levings and Black leave Babcock to climb Ypsilon Mtn. They're interested in photographing snow cornices and they begin climbing down one of the arms of the Y when Levings, 21 years of age, looses a hand hold and falls to his death! Black returns for help but it is decided to leave the body at the site. They return the next day carrying bags of cement!

Suddenly I notice a change in the terrain, something's happening. The trail is starting to drop. I look up and there's Ypsilon Mountain through the trees. A little further and, oh look, there's a pond over there. That must be Chipmunk Lake! A quick diversion affords a view of Mt. Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain. Such a welcome relief to the monotonous relief of the trail. And now I know Ypsilon Lake is soon to come. As I move back into the monotonous woods, I pick up the pace in anticipation.

Excited to to be nearing Ypsion Lake, I'm not really noticing just how much I'm going down and so not thinking about just how much effort it's going to take to hike out. Not to worry, I'll realized that when I hike out; there's a considerable drop from Chipmunk Lake to Ypsilon Lake. Dropping down onto the lake, I also realize the trail has taken me not only above the lake, but past the lake as well. I feel like I've entered to back side of the lake with the inlet stream cascading down beside me.

Reaching the lakes edge, I pause and look out across the lake to the east. It's a large lake. Calm and peaceful, although I'm sure there can be moments of gusty wind. Following a faint trail around the south edge of the lake, it seems clear this lake is not visited by too many people. To get to the scenic part, I have to work through willows near the outlet and then a short rock hop over the outlet. Finally, the trees open up to the shoreline and the vista of Mt. Chiquita. Ypsilon Mt remains hidden. Some larger boulders provide a place to rest, soak in some sun, and enjoy the peace.