Mahana Peak - Off trail summit

Mahana Peak from Isolation Lake

Mahana Peak is one of my favorite off trial summits I have ever done. Its remoteness and dramatic views of seldom hiked areas in Rocky Mountain National Park rank this summit high on my personal list of peaks. There are several routes to the summit, but in this post I will be describing the route I took up the West Slope. I highly encourage bringing some extra gear on this hike as this is an advanced level hike. Extra food and water are a must and I highly encourage carrying a water filter. A map is also necessary as there are miles of off-trail hiking. Here is my favorite map, guide book and water filter for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I did this hike solo in August of 2019. I definitely do not advise hiking solo, risks increase dramatically when hiking alone if anything were to ever go wrong, especially in this remote area of the Park. I did not see another hiker until mid afternoon when I was back on the main trail so I was essentially alone for around 8 hours. This was my first summer living in Estes Park and I was not going to let a lack of a hiking companion stop me from reaching my goals. Don’t be like me, it’s not worth the risk.

Wildflowers abound along this hike

 Mahana Peak is located in the southeast section of the park known as Wild Basin. This area of the Park is generally less trafficked than other areas, which makes for a more remote experience. From the Wild Basin Trailhead, follow the trail towards Thunder Lake past Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls. After passing Ouzel Falls and 3.4 miles from the trailhead take the trail junction to the left towards Bluebird Lake. After passing Ouzel Lake and making it to Bluebird Lake is when the real off-trail fun begins. About 100 yards before Bluebird Lake is a faint trail that crosses the outlet of the lake. This faint trail heads towards Lark Pond.

Looking over Lark Pond from the inlet

From Lark Pond you can continue toward Pipit Lake and then up to Isolation Lake, or head in a more diagonal direction towards Isolation Lake and cut out Pipit altogether. This strategy is shorter but steeper. Essentially whatever route you feel is easiest to get you to Isolation Lake. I stopped at Isolation Lake and had a sandwich and took a little bit to rest and take in the views and the true feeling of isolation (Isolation Lake could not be a more fitting name). 

At Isolation Lake

From Isolation Lake, head up the saddle between Mahana and Isolation Peaks. Then head right up to the summit of Mahana Peak. The west slope does not require any sort of technical gear or climbing knowledge. The use of hands may be required several times depending on you route up as there are some large boulders to navigate. But take whatever path towards the summit makes the most sense to you. Route finding is so much fun, because chances are no one has ever taken the exact same route up this seldom summited peak. This is what I love so much about off-trail hiking. Not having to follow a predetermined trail just adds so much to the experience of being out in nature. 

Looking back on Isolation Lake from the West slope of Mahana Peak

This is an advanced hike at 8.1 miles one way with 4,132 feet of elevation gain. Make sure you plan accordingly for this hike and always let multiple parties know where you are going and when to expect you back. Try to always hike with at least one other person as it is much safer and more enjoyable to conquer a hike like this with a friend! If you have any questions about this hike or RMNP in general, don’t hesitate to leave it in the comment section below or contact us directly on our contact us page!