Mummy Range is a dramatic subrange of Colorado's northern Rockies, offering rugged alpine terrain, sweeping tundra vistas, and exceptional hiking above treeline.
Mummy Range forms the northernmost significant subrange within Rocky Mountain National Park, stretching roughly east to west above the Horseshoe Park and Chapin Creek drainages. The range takes its evocative name from the reclining human shape its ridgeline traces when viewed from Estes Park to the southeast. Hagues Peak, at around 13,560 feet, is the highest point and one of Colorado's ranked thirteeners, drawing mountaineers alongside casual trekkers who come for the scenery alone.
The terrain here is classic Rocky Mountain high country: dense subalpine forest gives way to open krummholz, then to broad tundra plateaus scoured by centuries of wind and frost. Trails branching from the Lawn Lake and Chapin Pass trailheads provide access to the interior, passing through stands of Engelmann spruce before opening onto ridge walks with unobstructed views across the park. Guided hikes are a practical option for visitors unfamiliar with alpine route-finding in this part of Colorado.
Wildlife is a consistent draw throughout the warmer months. Bighorn sheep pick their way along the upper cliffs, and the wetlands below the range support healthy populations of moose, beaver, and a variety of migratory birds. Autumn brings bugling elk and a blaze of golden aspen color across the lower valleys.
Few landscapes in Colorado combine accessibility with genuine alpine solitude as effectively as Mummy Range, making it a rewarding destination for anyone drawn to the high country.
Visit in late July or early August for the best combination of snow-free trails and wildflower blooms along the lower slopes.
Start any summit attempt well before dawn to clear exposed ridgelines before afternoon thunderstorms build over the peaks.
Bring trekking poles for the loose talus and scree fields that cover the upper routes to Hagues Peak and Mummy Mountain.
Pack extra layers even on warm summer days, as temperatures above treeline can drop sharply with little warning.
Watch for moose in the willowy drainages on the eastern approaches, particularly in the early morning hours.
Ride the Fall River Corridor for Estes Park Valley views
Ride Fall River trails for Continental Divide views
Follow Fall River toward the Mummy Range on a Rocky Mountain National Park trail ride