Peaks of the Park: Mummy Mountain (13,425′), Hagues Peak (13,560′), Fairchild Mountain (13,502′), Ypsilon Mountain (13,514′), Mount Chiquita (13,069′), Mount Chapin (12,454′)
Date: October 4, 2015
Trailhead: Lawn Lake (8,540′) – Rocky Mountain National Park
Route: Counterclockwise loop beginning and ending at the Lawn Lake TH via Fall River Road
Distance: 26 miles
Elevation Gain: 9,100 feet
Participants: Solo mission
Time: 13 hours (including a rain delay, snow delay, and a lot of gaping)
Human Sightings: 2 (descending Fairchild)
Pedobear Sightings: 0
In a nutshell, this is basically taking Mummy Mania (or the Mummy Kill as it is often referred), removing the shuttle, and doing it backwards. If you’re looking for a somewhat easier day, start at the Chapin Pass TH and have a vehicle and 6 pack waiting for you at the Lawn Lake TH. Otherwise, eat your Wheaties, start at the Lawn Lake TH, pack the headlamp, and leave a case of beer in the car.
Mummy Mania (noun): The standard route is a 16 to 18 mile traverse with ~ 6,000 vertical gain beginning at the Chapin Pass TH, continuing up and down 6 of the major summits in the Mummy Range (Chapin, Chiquita, Ypsilon, Fairchild, Hagues, and Mummy), and finishing at the Lawn Lake TH.
Doing it in reverse order: Add 3,000 vertical feet. Removing the car shuttle: Add 9 miles.
As with any outing, there are many variations. Some folks may add Rowe and Desolation. Some crazy bastards may add Rowe, skip Chapin and descend Blitzen on Yippy. 🙂 Being the traditionalist I am, I kept the route intact, but flipped it backward and left the car home. Hope this report is helpful!
Mummy to Hagues – 1.5 miles peak to peak and 600′ vertical gain from the low point.
I know you just asked, “Why does this dude keep capitalizing The Saddle?” It’s not a typo.
Hagues to Fairchild – 1.5 miles peak to peak and 1,100′ vertical gain from The Saddle.
Post weather delay I reascended back to the ridge to keep it a little entertaining. Fairchild to Ypsilon – 1.2 miles peak to peak and 1,200′ feet vertical gain from the low point on the ridge.
Yippy to Chiquita – 1 mile peak to peak and 820′ vertical gain from the saddle.
The rest of this TR is pretty much like being in a airplane, minus the airplane.
Chiquita to Chapin – 1 mile peak to peak and 400′ vertical gain from the saddle.
Every year I need at least one day to reaffirm my appreciation for the big park we call Rocky. This was that day.
As always, thanks for reading!
Basecamp, CO 
Just plain awesome, Mr. Sarnelli. Not much else to say. You the man. Heck of a loop. Really good beat too. Hope to venture that a way someday with KO and this loop will be high on the priority list. Have a great time back east! Go Nittany Lions!
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Brando – Greetings from the east coast! Thanks buddy! Very high on my 2016 bucket wish list is a day in the Park with the Chalks and then the post climb pizza. We could even bring sawyer, but I’m not sure any of us will be able to keep up with her by then. Go PSU!!!!!
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Finally got a chance to sit down and read this one. That’s a large day my friend. That undercast is unreal!!
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