Devils Causeway-Lost Lakes-Chinese Wall

Any trail that incorporates the Devil's Causeway is not for the faint of heart--so if you're afraid of heights, you may want to opt for another loop. But if you can stomach it, this is an epic backpacking trip you'll never forget. You can do this route in either direction, depending on whether you want to get the Causeway over with early or save it until the end. Most folks do it clockwise, but we like to do it counter-clockwise, tackling the Causeway when our packs are lightest at the end. It's stunning either way. From the Stillwater Trailhead outside of Yampa, follow the East Fork Trail #1119 as it heads north along the reservoir. It's relatively mellow and passes Little Causeway Lake at around 1.2 miles. From there, it switchbacks up to the ridgeline junction of East Fork Trail and Devil's Causeway Trail, where you'll get extraordinary views. If you do the Causeway at the end of the trip as we have it mapped here, take a right on East Fork. You'll hike through fields of wildflowers and pines, and about 2 miles from the ridgeline, you'll come to Causeway Lake. Another 1.5 miles in, you'll come to Round Lake, where you'll stay left at the junction to Lost Lakes Trail #1116.1, which will lead to Long Lake in about 0.7 miles. Both are great places to camp, depending on how long you've allocated for the trip (most people do it in 2.5 days). From Long Lake, the trail heads roughly 2 miles toward East Lost Lake, and 1.4 miles past that lake, you'll come to another junction. Take a left on West Lost Lake Trail #1103.1, and the West Lake will come into view in about a mile. About a half mile from the lake, you'll take another left onto Chinese Wall Trail, which you'll stay on all the way until you get to the junction of the Devils Causeway. Be sure to fill all your water bottles and jugs before you head down Chinese Wall, as there is no water through the tundra. Route finding along the Chinese Wall can be a little challenging, but there should plenty of cairns and sticks to mark the way. Be sure to download the map to your phone just in case, and bring a back-up charger. Follow the Chinese Wall Trail for about 6.5 miles to the junction of Devils Causeway Trail. Now is when the fun really starts. The Causeway is steep, exposed, and scary for some, but if you can stomach it, it's one of the most thrilling hikes you'll ever do. If you have dogs with you, make sure they're comfortable with exposure or small enough to carry. After completing the Causeway, turn right back onto the East Fork Trail and backtrack down the lollipop stick you started on. Bring bug and bear spray--the mosquitos can be brutal--and good rain gear, as there is little protection on the tundra of the Chinese Wall Trail.