Mount Chapin
Travel the scenic Old Fall River Road, one of the first roads constructed for automobiles to cross the Continental Divide. Scenic Old Fall River Road is one of the many treasures of Rocky Mountain National Park. The rushing waters of Fall River can be seen on the left, as you ascend this one-way road up a steep canyon to connect with Trail Ridge Road. The good dirt road, suitable for regular cars, is open from late June until early October. A descriptive booklet about the route can be purchased at Park Visitor Centers. Completed in 1920, it was one of the first roads built for autos to cross over the Continental Divide. Early auto tourists had trouble mastering its steep grades (as much as 16% in places) and 16 tight switchbacks. Trail Ridge Road superseded it in 1932. Mount Chapin is the most southerly peak of the Mummy Range and honors alpinist Frederick Chapin who explored the summits around Estes Park area in the 1880s and wrote the classic, early guidebook, Mountaineering in Colorado.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Mount Chapin
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Estes Park |
| Length | 3.6 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 1,489 ft |
| Skill Level | Easy |
| Duration | 65 minutes up, 55 minutes down |
| Season | Late June to early October |
| Trailhead Elevation | 11,025 ft |
| Top Elevation | 12,454 ft |
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