Hike The Mummy Kill (a.k.a. Mummy Mania)

Wanna kill some mummies!? Of course you do! Who doesn't?

Mount Chapin: 12,454 feet; Mount Chiquita: 13,069 feet; Ypsilon Mountain: 13,514 feet; Fairchild Mountain: 13,502 feet; Hagues Peak: 13,560 feet; Mummy Mountain: 13,425 feet

The Mummy Kill is the perfect all-day hike for those seasoned hikers looking to push themselves a little further. The objective of the Mummy Kill is to hike the entire Mummy range (outside of Estes Park, CO) in one go. Unlike most ranges in Colorado, the Mummy range runs East to West. Furthermore, it is composed of 6 main peaks, all of which are roughly 13,000ft. The terrain varies between Class II to Class III and has sections of Class IV scrambling while summiting Hagues Peak. Hikers should not be deterred by this, just advised to feel comfortable on this terrain to ensure you an enjoyable hike.

The traverse requires a car shuttle, since the peaks of Chapin and Mummy are so far removed from one another. The first car should be dropped at Fall River Entrance Station on US 34 (RMNP) and then take a quick right on Old Fall River Road to the Lawn Lake trailhead at 8,540 feet. You should consider reaching Lawn Lake trailhead at 5am. This is an all day hike and 15+ miles are spent above tree-line. Colorado is known to have regular thunderstorms beginning around Noon during Spring and Summer. The earlier the start, the safer the hike. Nothing is worse the being 7 miles into a great hike, noticing a big black cloud, and yelling at it to leave you alone. Clouds tend not to listen.

Starting off from Lawn Lake trailhead, you can follow an established trail to Mount Chapin (off to the right of the trail) and saddle across using the trail to Mount Chiquita. From there, you will follow the trail up to Ypsilon Mountain. You will see a few hikers between Chapin and Ypsilon. However, after leaving Ypsilon, hiking traffic stops... and the trail becomes really spotted. Use established routes when you can en route to the next peaks but the best advice is to pick what looks like the safest lines up and down the following peaks.

After summiting Mummy, you will descend below tree-line and struggle through the forest a bit. You will eventually find an established trail and THIS IS IMPORTANT, hike towards Lawn Lake / Fall River. This usually means hiking Northwest (towards Hagues) along the established trail if no signage is available and eventually you will see trail signs (hiking in the other direction takes you further away from the car). From the established trail to the car is about 5 miles and can be the toughest because it's really flat and boring after the wonder you have just been in. Tough though it because you just killed some mummies and deserve a post hike burger & beer.