Mummy Pass Trail

The Mummy Pass Trail doesn't announce itself — you reach it by way of the Emmaline Lake Trail, and just past the Fall Creek crossing you'll find a small sign on the south side of the path (Y-Camp sits across the way to the north). The trailhead is often unmarked and easy to walk right past, so slow down and look for it. From there the trail leans uphill and simply keeps climbing, gaining 1,863 feet over 3.4 miles through a cool, shady forest that opens near mile two into subalpine meadows, summer wildflowers, and the kind of long views that make you stop and just breathe for a minute.

This is high, honest country — the whole route sits inside the Comanche Peak Wilderness, and the last stretch breaks above treeline at the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary, where on a clear day the landmarks stack up in every direction. Much of the trail escaped the worst of the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and stays green, but it did burn in places, so keep an eye uphill for leaning trees and watch for stump holes and washouts after rain. There's no water up here — fill up at the Fall Creek crossing before you start — and once you're in the open, get up and down before the afternoon lightning builds. You can turn around at the Park boundary, or press on another 1.7 miles as a Park visitor to Mummy Pass itself. The mapped line here now follows the trail to its full extent — over Mummy Pass and down the Upper and Lower Mummy Pass Trail to its western end in the upper Cache la Poudre near Mirror Lake, roughly 9.8 miles one-way — though the pass makes the natural turnaround for a long day hike.

Trail Facts

Getting There

The Mummy Pass Trail has no trailhead of its own — you reach it via the Emmaline Lake Trail out of the Pingree Park area. Follow the Emmaline Lake Trail from near Tom Bennett Campground, and shortly after the Fall Creek crossing watch the south (left) side for the Mummy Pass sign, with Y-Camp off to the north. The junction is often unmarked and hard to spot, so keep a close eye out. There's no water at the junction — top off at the Fall Creek crossing on the way in. The access road to Tom Bennett Campground (FR 145) is gated and unplowed in winter; if you go early or late, park near — but not blocking — the gate and snowshoe or ski the 0.3 mile to the Emmaline Lake trailhead.

Know Before You Go

• The trailhead is easy to miss. There's no dedicated parking — you hike in on the Emmaline Lake Trail and turn off at a small, often-unmarked sign on the south side just past the Fall Creek crossing (Y-Camp is across to the north).
• Burn country. This trail saw the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire — much of it stayed green, but watch for falling and leaning trees, hidden stump holes, rockslides, and flash flooding after even light rain, which can hit well downstream.
• Carry your water. There's none along the trail — fill up at the Fall Creek crossing on the Emmaline Lake Trail before you head up.
• Wilderness rules apply. The whole trail is in the Comanche Peak Wilderness: no bikes, no other wheeled or motorized use, and group size is capped at 12 (people and stock combined).
• Lightning above treeline. The upper trail and the RMNP boundary are fully exposed — start early and be off the high, open ground before afternoon storms build.
• Dogs on a leash — but not in the Park. On the Comanche Peak (USFS) portion, keep dogs on a hand-held leash (voice control if you're with stock). Dogs are not allowed at all on the Rocky Mountain National Park side, so if you're continuing past the boundary toward Mummy Pass, leave them home.
• Stock note. Riding is difficult here, and stock are prohibited on the Rocky Mountain National Park portion beyond the boundary.