This is the start to some stunning hikes. It splits to Ypsilon about a mile & a half in, or you can continue to Lawn Lake. Lawn Lake and beyond: the trails to the Saddle and/or Crystal Lakes aren't technical but are an endurance challenge (just under 20 miles round trip to catch all 3) Ypsilon and beyond: it's a much steeper trail that eases up at Chipmunk Lake, then after a quarter mile you reach Ypsilon Lake. From there, you follow trails through lush forest next to a waterfall. Once you're above the treeline you climb the waterfall itself to reach Spectacle Lakes/Mt Ypsilon. It's a class 3 scramble to the top, but we'll worth it for the adrenaline rush and the views. At only a 12 mile round trip, it might actually be the harder of the two...but definitely my favorite.
This is a pretty easy hike. It's very long but easy. I have made it to Crystal Lake and back in five hours but I was intentionally moving at a high pace.
Lawn Lake is gorgeous. It's a pretty sold spot. Crystal Lakes is better and definitely worth the effort to get to. The trail becomes more difficult past Lawn Lake but it's not really all that difficult if you hike a lot.
It’s a beautiful hike with a stunning lake as a reward. We arrived around 9AM and snatched the last parking spot. We did not see too many people on the trail, maybe 20. The trail is well-marked and easy to moderately hard. You walk in beautiful forest and have awesome views of the river and valley. It gets quite windy at the lake, so make sure to bring extra layers. In total, it took us a little over 6 hours to complete the trail, excluding lunch.
Crystal lake is a long hike but worth the effort
There’s no doubt that I absolutely love this trail in the summer. It’s extraordinary when there are wildflowers, and you have beautiful views across the valley. At the same time, there’s nothing like seeing this landscape in winter. When the park is all dressed up in winter white at its finest it is magical. The contrast of the snow on the high peaks in that true blue Colorado sky is something breathtaking. Look for the small details of winter that you might overlook like icicles and the way the snow coats the Ponderosa Pines. The trail has some steep uphills that will give you an appreciation for the well-earned views. Enjoy!
