Mount Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain - 8.1 Miles Round-Trip

Mount Chiquita (13,069') and Ypsilon Mountain (13,514') are accessible from Chapin Pass Trailhead on Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. No trail leads to these prominent summits in the Mummy Range, but a well-established route follows contour lines and saddles to each. Mount Chiquita is considered among the easiest 13ers in the Park, and Ypsilon requires a bit more effort at higher elevation.

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Their distinct east faces drop vertically and form the headwalls of massive cirques, while the west sides are relatively moderate, grassy slopes up which the route runs.

Views are exceptional throughout, with western panoramas that extend from the Never Summer Range to the Medicine Bow peaks in Wyoming. Views north and east include the Desolation Peaks, Longs Peak complex and aptly named Spectacle Lakes.

Mt Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon form the venerable CCY route. Mt Chapin (12,454’) is excluded here for expediency in reaching the more distant peaks, and is arguably superfluous given its diminutive stature and proximity to Chiquita and Ypsilon.

Though well-traveled, the route is vague in places and basic navigation skills are required across rugged alpine terrain. Anticipate full exposure at high altitudes, and get an early start to avoid afternoon storms:

The trail climbs quickly to the split for Chapin Creek and all summits (.12 miles : 11,175’). It rises sharply in a thin forest to unmarked Chapin Pass (.5 miles : 11,407’), then moderates to a fork and sign for All Summits (.65 miles : 11,472’). Go right.

The left fork is a compelling alternative that dips across lower slopes (bypassing Mt Chapin) before rising steeply to the Chapin – Chiquita saddle. Some prefer this approach for milder terrain, but it does delay the inevitable climb, and adds more to the overall gain. 

The right fork edges moderately up contour lines with views down the Chapin Creek valley. It clears treeline (1.0 mile : 11,752’) and begins rugged talus intervals at 1.3 miles.

A variously clear path moves steadily to the Chapin – Chiquita saddle (1.75 miles : 12,114’). The Mt Chapin summit – right above you on this stretch - is accessible via several spurs.

Travel eases briefly on the saddle before pitching up the south flank of Chiquita. Grass gradually yields to talus, where the route braids into several viable cairn-marked paths.

The way is obvious even if the trail is not. You’ll see rock wind shelters around 2.6 miles leading up to the Mount Chiquita summit (2.7 miles : 13,069’).

To reach Ypsilon Mountain, follow the most established track 200’ down to the Chiquita – Ypsilon saddle (3.0 miles : 12,812’).

A variously clear path climbs steadily up Ypsilon’s south flank to a reprieve with exceptional views down couloirs to the Spectacle Lakes (3.85 miles : 13,360’). The couloirs form a distinct Y down the east face for which the mountain is named (Ypsilon is the Greek letter Y).

A short, final push leads to the Ypsilon Mountain summit (4.05 miles : 13,514’).

Though tempting to circumvent Chiquita on the return, consider retracing your steps back to the summit. Having some trail is more efficient than none at all in this terrain, and backtracking will limit your impact on delicate vegetation.