This schedule and map can be viewed here. "Instead of Glacier Gorge, we started from the Bear Lake trailhead and hiked to Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes, Lake Haiyaha, Mills and Jewel Lakes before arriving at the Loch." Sprague Lake is a short hike, less than 1.6 km, but worth the stop.Whether you’re looking for a hike to do with a stroller or a recovery jaunt to shake out your legs from driving, Sprague Lake is a great place to enjoy the Rocky Mountain National Park’s views and wilderness. Emerald Lake hiking trail is inside of Rocky Mountain National Park near the town of Estes Park, Colorado. Bear Lake is one of the park’s most popular destinations for first-time visitors, and with good reason. It’s a moderate, 4.9 mile, creekside hike that passes several beautiful cascade waterfalls, including one of our favorites, Ouzel Falls. Expect some scramble as you approach the summit. Lake Haiyaha Hike: This short 3.9 mile hike gets you just under the cliffs of the Continental Divide, with fewer crowds than at Dream and Emerald Lake. Parking is more limited in this area of Rocky Mountain National Park, and you’ll likely have to park at the Park & Ride then take the shuttle to the Fern Lake Trailhead. Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park can be quite challenging, and hiking a trail above your fitness level can make for a less than enjoyable day while out on the trail. However, it only runs daily from May 25-September 13. Chapin, Mt. This park is one of the most well-known and well-traveled National Parks, and with VERY good reason. Fern Lake Tailhead — Region 4 - Heart of the Park, known for easy access & great views From Bear Lake Road, turn right toward Moraine Park Campground, then left after .7 mi. As part of the Hermit Park open space, the hike to Kruger Rock is spectacular and one of our favorite accessible hikes outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter brings deep snows to Rocky Mountain National Park west of the Continental Divide. Chasm Lake: In my humble opinion this is the best lake hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. The journey to Nymph Lake is only .5 miles. Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park reopened today after being closed since October 22, due to the East Troublesome Fire. Rocky Mountain National Park, though traditionally more of a summer hiking destination, also boasts many wonderful snowshoeing routes, with trails that are well marked and generally well trodden. To reach the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 12.6 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the Wild Basin Road junction and turn right. Details about day passes entrance fees for Rocky Mountain National Park as well as upcoming free days can be found on the nps website. Lily Lake Loop: A short family-friendly loop providing easy access to Jurassic Park. Stop at the pier at the far end of the lake to take in the views. For summer hiking, be sure to be down from mountain summits in the early afternoon to avoid summer thunderstorms. This list is intended to help hikers find a trail that's best suited to their abilities. You’ll be entranced by spectacular views of mountain ridges, rugged peaks, and the color of wildflowers along the trail. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to … Opening up the new year (2021) with a hike to Mills Lake from the Glacier Gorge trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado, USA. Hikers will pass pristine alpine lakes including Nymph Lake and Dream Lakes and be treated to beautiful views of rocky peaks including Flattop Mountain, Hallett Peak, and Glacier Gorge. The advantage of this beautiful trail is that it is outside Rocky Mountain National Park, so you don't have to pay the fees. Bring your camera for some epic landscape shots, and keep an eye out for the local wildlife and birds. Sprague Lake Hike: This short, easy hike is a great introduction to the Rocky Mountain National Park, perfect for families and visitors with accessibility issues. Combine the hike to Ouzel Lake with an overnight, and a journey to the shores Bluebird Lake. Glacier Gorge provides surprises at almost every turn. Located just north of Estes Park, this (extremely) well-marked trail is a steep climb that’s well-worth your efforts. Sprague Lake . Gem Lake: One of the most popular hikes in the Estes Valley, the trail starts at the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead in a non-fee section of Rocky Mountain National Park north of Estes Park off Devil's Gulch Road. After driving four-tenths of a mile make another right turn into the park. Mills Lake was my favorite hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. All areas and trails east of Bear Lake Road have reopened. Just go north of Estes Park to the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead. Lily Mountain: This hike is not within the park boundaries, but it offers expansive views of Rocky Mountain National Park. You will have a couple of trail choices, but the best is to go directly to Gem Lake. It has been known to snow … Sprague Lake is peaceful and calm with sunrise light. It’s a great place to find some solitude as few hikers will push on beyond Fern Lake. Driftwood larger than Tucker At the time of this article being written, timed entry passes for the park are required from 6am-5pm. Climb through aspen and pine to reach the beautiful views of Estes Park and the majestic peaks of RMNP. Access other major peaks makes this an attractive destination among backpackers as well. Chiquita, & Ypsilon Mountain=CCY Route (8.3 miles, 3,100 ft, moderate-to-difficult): This is the ultimate hike for those who love to chase summits. It is literally full of wonders. In addition to the outstanding panoramic views you'll encounter on the way up, you'll also enjoy front row views of the famous "Diamond" - the east-facing wall of Longs Peak which rises more than 2,400 feet above this incredibly beautiful alpine lake. One of the most scenic areas in the park is the aptly named Glacier Gorge. This lake was stunning with views of Thetchtop Mountain Peak, Longs Peak, McHenrys Peak and Chief Head Peak I could have stayed there for hours. The beginner hikes listed below are under five miles roundtrip and are considered fairly easy. Each lake, waterfall, and mountain summit is unique and beautiful in its own way; there are so many great snowshoe trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Bring a picnic and admire the wonderful mountain views from the lakeside. Take advantage of the shuttle and park at the Park and Ride, and then shuttle up to the start at Bear Lake. Nymph Lake. Eventually the trail reaches a junction leading to either Loch Vale, Lake Haiyaha, Andrews Glacier and Sky Pond or Mills and Black Lakes. Like all the national parks in the U.S., Rocky Mountain has a wonderful diversity of trails for adventurers at all levels. On our last visit to Rocky Mountain National Park, we were on a mission to hike as many of the trails that start from Bear Lake as we could squeeze into our 48 hour visit to the park. The hike up to Mills Lake is a steady, uphill, 5.6 mile trek into the breathtaking Glacier Gorge trail system of Rocky Mountain National Park. 5. See the While there is a slight incline of 968 feet, there are some rather steep spots. And, it is less crowded than the trailheads in the park. Ouzel Lake is nestled in an expansive valley in the Wild Basin, and is one of the better fishing destinations in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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