Lawn Lake Trailhead
I've hiked from this trailhead three times, once to Lawn Lake, once beyond Lawn to Crystal, and once to Ypsilon. The hikes to Lawn and Ypsilon were nothing special, but Crystal was spectacular.
Both hikes start out on the same route for the first 1.3 miles,
following switchbacks along Roaring River.
Lawn Lake
Lawn Lake sits a long 6.2 miles from the trailhead. The day I hiked to Lawn was heavily overcast so there wasn't a lot to see. At one time it was probably a pretty spot, but with the water level lowered from the dam break, there's a bare, ugly ring around the the lake.
On to Crystal
Nobody wanted to roll out of bed at 5:30AM, so I headed to the Lawn Lake Trailhead myself.
It's 6.2 miles to Lawn Lake with not much to see and an endless series of switchbacks.
Fortunately, things got much better as soon as I started climbing above the lake.
The trail climbs steeply above Lawn, but there are waterfalls and wildflowers
to take your mind off the climb.
Crystal is a stark beauty, set among some of the tallest peaks in the park.
Lawn Lake Flood
Ypsilon Lake
Ypsilon is only 4.5 miles from the trailhead, but it seems like a lot more. There aren't any great views along the trail, and it seems like you're going uphill until a sizable drop just before the lake, which means a steep climb out.
Tiny Chipmunk Lake sits a short distance before Ypsilon, and offers a nice view of Ypsilon Mountain.
Ypsilon is a fairly pretty lake. There's a fallen tree along the shore which makes a great spot to relax and enjoy lunch.
Probably the best part of the hike is the impressive waterfall that feeds the lake. I'm not sure if it even has a name, but it sure is a beauty.
Distances from Lawn Lake Trailhead
| Destination |  |
From Trailhead | |
Elevation | |
Elevation Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||
| Chipmunk Lake | 4.1 | 10,660' | 2,180' | |||
| Ypsilon Lake | 4.5 | 10,540' | 2,180' | |||
| Lawn Lake | 6.2 | 10,789' | 2,249' | |||
| Crystal Lake | 7.7 | 11,520' | 2,980' | |||