Chasm Lake
- nps.gov
- Estes Park
About
Chasm Lake sits in a cirque under the east face of Longs Peak, at the end of a hard, high hike. It's the big-day lake, and it's worth every foot if you start early and the weather holds.
The trail starts at the Longs Peak Trailhead and runs about 4.2 miles one way, with roughly 2,360 feet of gain. That makes it about 8.4 miles round trip, the longest and steepest lake hike in this batch. The NPS describes subalpine and alpine terrain, waterfalls, wildflowers and meadows, then a lake under granite walls with Longs Peak above. Longs Peak is covered by the park's timed entry system, so check nps.gov/romo before you go.
Start early. I mean headlamp early, so you're back below treeline before afternoon storms. Between Chasm Junction and Chasm Meadow, the NPS warns about windblown talus, bullet ice and deep snow in winter and early summer, and you might need crampons and an ice axe. For most people that means it's a summer and early fall hike. Bring more layers than you think, drink water before you're thirsty, and turn around if the sky changes. Dogs aren't allowed.
