Chiquita Lake - 10.6 Miles Round-Trip

Chiquita Lake (11,356') is located in a steep-walled cirque under Mount Chiquita (13,069') in the Mummy Range of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

No trail reaches the lake, but a challenging cross-country route follows a social trail up Ypsilon Lake's inlet stream to the confluence with Chiquita Lake's outlet stream, which it loosely follows on a steep climb through treeline to its source at the lake.

Chiquita Lake is small and won't earn a spot on most RMNP pin-up calendars, but few head here and you'll likely have the valley all to yourself.

Cascades along the way are particularly photogenic, flowers can be prolific and there are a few points with inviting camping terrain.

The approximate distance between Ypsilon Lake and Chiquita Lake is one mile and 810' vertical. Individual routes will vary.

Off-trail alpine travel can take more time than distances might indicate, especially on sections of talus and krummholz right below the lake. Rain can make these scrambles difficult - avoid when wet or when rain is imminent.

Only experienced hikers with good navigation skills should attempt Chiquita Lake:

The Lawn Lake Trail climbs 534' to the east bank of Roaring River (1.0 mile : 9,074') and levels to the Ypsilon Lake Trail split (1.35 miles : 9,180').

The Ypsilon Lake Trail veers left across the river, turns SW and climbs steeply to gain the west valley wall ridge (1.85 miles : 9,520').

It bends NW along the spine and climbs steadily through nondescript forest to an open flat (2.45 miles : 9,940'). Steady climbing resumes and gradually moderates to a crest (3.7 miles : 10,710') before dropping to Chipmunk Lake (3.9 miles : 10,640').

Chipmunk Lake is little more than a pond, but with terrific views of Mount Ypsilon (13,514') and the eponymous 'Y' shaped couloir on its east face.

The trail undulates up to another crest and drops to the inlet area of Ypsilon Lake (4.3 miles : 10,546'). Find the inlet and a clear path heading up the left side.

This social trail is primarily used to reach the Spectacle Lakes but serves the route to Chiquita well. It climbs sharply beside several waterfalls before leveling off and crossing the creek (right) on consecutive foot bridges (4.45 miles : 10,730').

The trail crosses the base of a cairn-marked rock slide to a brushy clearing near the Chiquita - Spectacle Lakes outlet stream confluence (4.55 miles :10,760').

The confluence is indiscernible, but a tall cascade off to the left is Chiquita's outlet stream and what you're after. Leave the reasonably well-defined social trail, cross the creek (left) and head for the cascade.

Navigation is now fairly clear even though the best path is not. Expect heavy brush and deadfall until clearing treeline.

A faint path runs up the right side of the cascade in a thinning forest to the base of a large, sloping meadow (4.9 miles : 10,950').

The path is intermittent and nominally visible but does aid travel. Note the point of transition to the meadow; you'll want to regain this path on the return.

Travel steepens up to wide bands of talus under the lake. There's no perfect route but scrambling and rock-hopping can be minimized with good scouting.

Better terrain awaits above the talus, where you'll punch or weave through krummholz down to the narrow shore of Chiquita Lake (5.3 miles : 11,356'). Open space is limited but high points on the rim provide terrific views of the cirque, Mount Chiquita and the valley through which you traveled.