Lawn Lake Trailhead — Attraction in Four Corners States

Winter Review --

Start Time 0730 End Time 1230 (with multiple breaks to hydrate / snack / adjust gear)

Overall an awesome scenic hike. The first 2.5 miles are a series of switchbacks and rolling slopes. The last 3.8 miles are slow going for an average winter hiker. With the continuous uphill movement and altitude elevation, take it slow! Carrying a 50lb load I had to stop quite a few times to control body temp and my breathing rate.

The last 1.5 miles was a mixture of ice and 4-6 in of snow (and it hadnt even snowed seriously yet). Recommend crampons at a minimum so you don't slip and go tumbling downhill.

Lawn Lake itself was a beautiful crispy blue. The wind was harsh, especially in the middle where the "bowl" of the lake funneled all the wind. If you're winter camping, the campsite will be sufficient. I slept in vicinity of the patrol cabin to have at least 1 direction of wind blocked off, and some protection from dead trees.

At night the wind will pick up significantly, ensure your stakes are in deep. My tent lifted up 15-20 times.

I chose not to go to the saddle because of the limited visibility and high winds but if the weather permits, it's...

JULY 2021 - We (Me, my nephew and two sons) arrived at the trailhead at 6AM for what we estimated to be about 5 hours hike to our designated campsite at Lawn Lake. Right from the start, the trail climbed steadily through several switchbacks into a dense pine forest. at 1.5 miles, we met another hiker who told us the worst was behind us. For the next few miles, the trail ran steadily uphill along the bank of the Roaring River. A few additional switchbacks later, at about noon, we came to a sign that indicated lawn lake was .6 miles away. The hike took us a little longer than expected, but it was well worth it! We woke each morning at 11,250' alpine lake surrounded by mountains in the Mummy Range. Our campsite was visited by deer and marmots each day. A large moose visited the upstream corner of the lake. All were successful at catching Greenback Cutthroat trout. We caught fish in the headwaters, along the rocky shoreline, and in the tailwaters. Top lures were small flys and small gold and...

There’s no doubt that I absolutely love this trail in the summer. It’s extraordinary when there are wildflowers, and you have beautiful views across the valley. At the same time, there’s nothing like seeing this landscape in winter. When the park is all dressed up in winter white at its finest it is magical. The contrast of the snow on the high peaks in that true blue Colorado sky is something breathtaking. Look for the small details of winter that you might overlook like icicles and the way the snow coats the Ponderosa Pines. The trail has some steep uphills that will give you an appreciation for the well-earned...