Mount Lady Washington (13,281') is located next to Longs Peak (14,259'), and is one of three peaks that form the Chasm Lake cirque (Mt Meeker, Longs Peak and MLW). No trail leads to the summit, however it’s a relatively short, moderate excursion off the Longs Peak Trail to the top. Visitors will enjoy lengthy sections of open tundra and exceptional views of Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, Mummy Range and distant Never Summer Range.

Looking northwest from Granite Pass, where the tundra levels around the base of Mount Lady Washington

'Old Man of the Mountain' (Hymenoxys grandiflora) typically face east to capture early morning sunlight

Looking east at the Twin Sisters (11,413' and 11,428') on the climb through treeline

Mount Lady Washington is accessible from all points on the East Longs Peak Trail arc around its base, but most easily reached from the north side

A short climb past Granite Pass levels through wide tundra flats with great views across the Park

The Longs Peak Keyhole was formed by freeze-thaw cycles between vertical rock slabs, and glacial ice atop the rock acting as a wedge to pry rock loose

The Longs Peak massif was likely a single rounded summit before glacial movements carved out distinct summits

Oxygen percentage is the same at high elevation and sea level (21%); the problem for people is that there are many fewer molecules of everything at high elevation, including oxygen

Alpine tundra plants grow low to the ground to increase stability and minimize exposure to harsh conditions

Fellfields occur on windswept slopes that hold little moisture, with rock comprising up to half its surface

Storm Peak (13,326') is located west of Mount Lady Washington across the tundra flats, and is a similarly easy walk-up

Alpine phacelia has been known to accumulate small traces of gold in its tissues

When wet soil freezes it expands and pushes surface-level rocks up in a process called frost heaving; you'll find great examples between the trail and MLW summit

Snowfields may linger through late summer, but pose little problem on this well designed and heavily used trail

Marmots are among the most active alpine mammals in the summer, but enter burrows by early October and don't emerge again until April or May

Mt Meeker (13,911') is located southeast of Longs Peak, and forms the south wall of the Chasm Lake cirque