Lawn Lake
The awesome destructive power of nature is on display along the route to Lawn Lake. At 5:30 a.m. on July 15 ,1982, the Lawn Lake Dam, a 26-foot tall earthen structure, failed, releasing 674 acre-feet of water at a peak discharge of 18,000 cubic feet per second. The resultant flood wave in the Roaring River valley was described as a wall 25 to 30 feet high. Three campers were killed and damages totaled $31 million. Estes Park has recovered and the ecosystems of the ravaged area have begun to heal. However, on the hike to Lawn Lake, you will still see impressive evidence of the flood and its destructive power, including huge boulders and broken trees. Bighorn sheep spend a lot of time on nearby Bighorn Mountain and sometimes are spotted on the south slopes of Mummy Mountain above the lake. They also descend frequently to Horseshoe Park, near the trailhead, to visit a salt lick.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Lawn Lake
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Estes Park |
| Length | 12.4 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,647 ft |
| Skill Level | Moderate |
| Duration | 154 minutes up, 132 minutes down |
| Season | Mid-June to early October |
| Trailhead Elevation | 8,550 ft |
| Top Elevation | 11,007 ft |
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