Handstands Around the World

a former gymnast with a neverending case of wanderlust


Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Chasm Lake… again

Chasm Lake is, hands down, the best hike in Rocky.

I’ve hiked a lot of trails in the park over the past four years, and I keep waiting for another hike to come along and dethrone this one, but that has yet to happen. I’m fairly certain it never will.

This past August was actually my third time hiking to Chasm Lake. It was my husband’s first, though, and I was excited for him to finally experience one of my favorite hikes of all time.

I was a little worried that since I’d been talking it up so much, it might not live up to his expectations.

I needn’t have worried.

Usually, I’m the photographer.

When he pulls out his phone and starts snapping photos of something, you know he’s really impressed. It doesn’t happen often. But it did happen here. He absolutely loved Chasm Lake!

And even I was blown away. This was Chasm Lake as I’d never seen it before. The sun was warm, the sky was blue, and the wind was completely calm. The water on the lake was still and clear, and the reflection of Longs Peak was absolutely unbelievable.

I’ve written about this hike before, so rather than re-share this information, I’ll direct you to my previous post for directions, trail info, etc. This post is really just so I can share some of my favorite photos from the day.

Longs Peak, center, as seen from the trail; Chasm Lake is at the base of the peak
Getting closer
Peacock Pool and Columbine Falls

23 responses to “Rocky Mountain National Park Hikes: Chasm Lake… again”

  1. That is a beautiful hike. I hiked this trail in August, 2008. I’m not sure that I could do it again, but I really would like to do so.

  2. I totally understand why this is your favourite hike – what a picturesque landscape. Pretty flowers on the trail and then reflections so crystal clear you can’t even see where the mountain meets the water!

    1. Right? It was amazing, and almost a little bit of a brain teaser trying to figure out what was reflection and what wasn’t.

  3. There should be a “love” button instead of just a “like” button. Amazing photos! Well done!

  4. Wow, that water is like a mirror. Glad you got to share it with your husband.

  5. Sadly no. The many-year-old phone he had at the time didn’t take the best quality photos

  6. I can see why even your husband whipped out his camera for a photo (or photoS): Chasm Lake is truly a stunner, especially with its rough, granite-like color in contrast with the stark blue sky. Makes anyone wonder in awe at how beautiful our Planet Earth is!

  7. Wow Chasm Lake looks magnificent!

  8. it’s always good to find some good reliable hikes that you enjoy for the times you really can’t get away too far.

  9. I still can’t get over the clarity of the water, even though I feel like so many of your posts show these amazing lakes amongst the mountains. Such a beautiful hike

    1. I never get over it either, honestly. It’s just so incredible to look into a lake and see straight through to the bottom.

  10. It does indeed look like a beautiful hike Diana. I can see why you do it again and again. Thanks for sharing. Allan

  11. I love Rocky Mountain! We were there a few years ago before we moved east and we’ve been talking about going back ever since. Those mountains give me all the happy feels 🙂

  12. One day I’ll make it to CO and do this hike!

  13. Thank you for the excellent photographs, I’m definitely marking this one on my to do list!

    1. It’s amazing, I hope you enjoy it! Go during the week if you can. It shares a TH with Longs so parking is a disaster

  14. Increadible how the surface of the lake seems to disappear in the reflection !
    Great landscapes and the picture you took of the Colorado Columbine with the mountains in the backgroud got my special attention 🙂

    1. Thank you!

  15. Such beautiful photos!!! I am a bit biased, Longs is one of my faves 🙂

    1. I never ever get sick of looking up at Longs. We’re hoping to summit it next summer!

      1. Do it! There’s plenty of handstand room! 😀

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