Mummy Pass Trail
Description:
The
Mummy Pass Trail begins on the east about 2.5 miles west on the old road portion
of the Emmaline Lake Trail. It travels south and west through the Comanche
Peak Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park to the Poudre River Trail
on the northwest side of the park. From the Emmaline Lake Trail it makes a
moderate climb up the ridge to the south through a dense spruce forest. The
trail is quite rocky for the first mile or so. It enters the Comanche Peak
Wilderness on the ridge after traveling about .35 miles. The trail is steep
in some spots and fairly level in others. The forest opens up as you climb
higher and the trail is less rocky.
The
trail breaks out into grassy meadows with scattered spruce and willows. There
is a virtual rainbow of colors from the many varieties of wildflowers growing
in the meadows. The trail makes a series of long switchbacks as it climbs
the ridge toward Rocky Mountain National Park. The boundary of the park is
about three miles from the start of the trail. The views from the top are
spectacular. Looking back to the north and east you can see the Pingree Park
Campus and the newly reconstructed Twin Lake Reservoir. To the south are the
rugged peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. Just inside the park the trail
levels off for about .25 miles before beginning its descent to Mummy Pass.
The
trail travels just east of a small pond. There are several marmots that make
their home in the rocks around the pond. The trail is very rocky here and
crosses a small boulder field near the pond. Horsemen should carefully lead
their mounts through this area. Beyond the pond the trail travels down a gulch
filled with low willows. It passes another small pond at the other end of
the gulch and then drops down into a beautiful wide valley. Here you get a
good view of the peaks forming the "Mummy" to the southeast as you
cross a small stream. The trail then makes a short climb up another ridge
to Mummy Pass. It is about 4.75 miles from the start to the pass.
On
the other side of the pass there are some low growing willows and wet meadows.
The trail travels through some boggy spots in this area. Beyond the pass it
turns west and slightly north through a spruce forest as it heads toward its
intersection with a trail connecting to the Mirror Lake Trail. From this intersection
it descends a ridge of dense spruce forest to a large meadow through which
Hague Creek runs. From here it is a short distance to the Poudre River and
the end of the trail. The length of the trail is 9.5 miles. A backcountry
permit is required to camp in the park. Pets are not permitted in the park.
Features:
| Length: |
9.5 miles (15.3 kilometers) |
| Elevation Range: |
9,516' - 11,428' |
| Elevation change: |
4,257 feet |
| Season: |
July 1 - Sept 15 |
| Difficulty: |
Moderate |
| Use: |
High |
| USGS maps: |
Pingree Park, Comanche Peak |
| Trailheads: |
Emmaline Lake, Corral Creek |
| Restrictions: |
No pets are allowed on that portion
of the trail that is in Rocky Mountain National Park, backcountry permit
required for camping in the park |
| Suitable for mountain bikes: |
No (not permitted in the wilderness
or park) |
| Suitable for horses: |
Yes |
Vicinity Map
Altitude Profile
Other
Nearby Resources:
Directions:
Take
Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte. Continue on Highway 287 to Highway
14. Travel west on 14 for 24 miles to the Pinegree Park Road. Turn left and
travel 15.5 miles to the Tom Bennett Campground. The Emmaline Lake Trailhead
is just west of the campground. Hike 2.5 miles to the Mummy Pass Trail. The
western end can be reached via Corral Creek and Poudre River trails. To get
to the Corral Creek Trailhead take Highway 287 north from Fort Collins to Laporte.
Continue on Highway 287 to Highway 14. Travel west on 14 for 52 miles to the
Long Draw Road. Turn left and travel ten miles to the trailhead. The trailhead
is on the left side of the road.
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