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  • The hike t...

    SpectacleLakes002.jpg The hike to Spectacle Lakes begins with 4.5 miles up the Ypsilon Lake trail. Crossing the Roaring River here, the trail grants this superb view of Fairchild Mtn (RMNP's 6th ranked peak). image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    SpectacleLakes003.jpg Hikemaster Scott has never led a YMCA hike to Ypsilon Lake. From this photo, perhaps you can glean why. The entire trail carries on through a dense forest with little else to enjoy views of! image by hikemaster

  • Fast-forwa...

    SpectacleLakes004.jpg Fast-forward several miles up-trail. Finally, a view of Mount Ypsilon (RMNP's 5th highest peak) opens up. Can you see the "Y" of snow that gives the peak its name? image by hikemaster

  • A more int...

    SpectacleLakes005.jpg A more intimate view of RMNP's 6th highest peak, Fairchild Mountain, from several miles up the Ypsilon Lake trail. image by hikemaster

  • Mount Ypsi...

    SpectacleLakes007.jpg Mount Ypsilon reflects in Chipmunk Pond, a short distance from the much larger (but less scenic, in Hikemaster Scott's opinion) Ypsilon Lake. Great reflection, eh? image by hikemaster

  • Fairchild ...

    SpectacleLakes009.jpg Fairchild Mountain reflects in Chipmunk Pond on a beautiful morning in the Mummy Range of RMNP. image by hikemaster

  • Chiquita M...

    SpectacleLakes010.jpg Chiquita Mountain (left) is RMNP's lowest 13-er at 13,050 ft. It ranks 20th among RMNP's highest peaks. Mount Ypsilon (right) is 13,514, and ranks 5th. image by hikemaster

  • The second...

    SpectacleLakes012.jpg The second reason Hikemaster Scott doesn't lead hikes to Ypsilon Lake (pictured here): where are the "backdrop" peaks at Ypsilon Lake?!?!??! Ahhh, but Spectacle Lakes leave much to lure us on! image by hikemaster

  • Another pe...

    SpectacleLakes013.jpg Another perspective of Ypsilon Lake, at 10,500 feet. Snow was encountered along the trail in the last 1/2-mile before reaching the lake. image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    SpectacleLakes014.jpg Hikemaster Tony fixes his boots at Ypsilon Lake. The way ahead will be steep, trail-less, and treacherous, so boots need to be in top shape! image by hikemaster

  • Steep bush...

    SpectacleLakes015.jpg Steep bushwhacking leads us above Ypsilon Lake quickly. This image looks back down to the valley we've left behind on our trek to Spectacle Lakes. image by hikemaster

  • The rugged...

    SpectacleLakes016.jpg The rugged wilderness between Ypsilon and Spectacle Lakes is characterized by steep terrain and alternating patches of snow, grass, and water. Many waterfalls grace the region as well...it is simply a stunning, if hard-to-hike, area. image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    SpectacleLakes017.jpg Hikemaster Tony fights his way upward through soft snow. He never used snowshoes, although Hikemaster Scott did don his for a brief stretch near this spot. image by hikemaster

  • Looking ba...

    SpectacleLakes019.jpg Looking back to the south, we see Mount Tileston (left) and Twin Sisters (back right). Plenty of snow up here. Can you see Lake Ypsilon below, from where we came? image by hikemaster

  • Mount Chiq...

    SpectacleLakes020.jpg Mount Chiquita, in all its splendor! What a graceful peak, 20th highest in RMNP. It is often climbed at the same time as Mount Ypsilon, which is out of view to the right in this image. image by hikemaster

  • Here's a r...

    SpectacleLakes021.jpg Here's a rare sight: a lake that Hikemaster Scott has never visited: Lake Chiquita! It's not much more than a snowfield (lower left) at this point in the year. Mount Chiquita rises to the right. image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    SpectacleLakes022.jpg Hikemaster Tony stops for a photo in front of Mount Chiquita. To reach Spectacle Lakes, we'll have to climb the steep ridge to Tony's left (out of view here). The lakes are on the other side. image by hikemaster

  • The bigges...

    SpectacleLakes023.jpg The biggest one of them all in RMNP, Longs Peak (14,259 ft), rises in the far distance. The southern ridges of Mount Chiquita appear much more dominant, however, from this perspective. image by hikemaster

  • Hikemaster...

    SpectacleLakes024.jpg Hikemaster Scott enjoys a new approach to reaching Spectacle Lakes this year: climb the ridge west of the lakes. Along the ridge, great views of Mount Chiquita and Lake Chiquita are afforded. image by hikemaster

  • Oh wow! A...

    SpectacleLakes025.jpg Oh wow! Atop the ridge above Spectacle Lakes, the first view of the lakes (with Mount Ypsilon behind) are granted! It's Hikemaster Tony's first trip here---he loved it! The upper Spectacle Lake blends in with snowfields at Ypsilon's base. image by hikemaster
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