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Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park has no scarcity of fantastic hikes and the three.6-mile Emerald Lake path is among the greatest. It passes by three gorgeous alpine lakes (Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, and Dream Lake) earlier than ending on the clear, inexperienced waters of Emerald Lake. The colourful coloration comes from daylight refracting off the glacial silt within the water.
We accomplished the Emerald Lake hike as a household whereas visiting Rocky Mountain over the summer time. Our household discovered it to be probably the greatest household hikes in Rocky Mountain that provides you probably the most bang in your buck: not too strenuous, however very rewarding. It’s an amazing alternative for all ages and mountaineering expertise.
On this put up, we share every thing you might want to learn about mountaineering the Emerald Lake path together with the place to start out, entry necessities, greatest locations to cease, and extra.
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Emerald Lake Path Fundamentals
- Size: 3.6 miles roundtrip
- Issue: Straightforward to average in sections
- Path Sort: Largely packed grime, some rock and log steps
- Whole elevation acquire: 650 toes
- Max elevation: 10,110 ft
- Time wanted: 2-3 hours
- Allow required? A Park Entry Plus timed entry move is required for entry to the Bear Lake Trailhead from Could via September
- Canine allowed? No
Emerald Lake Path Map
Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Timed Entry Necessities
If you’re touring to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park between the months of Could and October, a timed entry move is required to enter the park. These passes assist to reduce visitors and congestion in the preferred areas.
The timed entry Park Entry Move is totally different out of your Nationwide Park Annual Move or entrance payment.
There are two timed entry permits:
- The Park Entry grants entry to most areas of the park, however excludes the Bear Lake Hall the place the Emerald Lake hike begins
- The Park Entry Plus grants entry to all areas of the park together with the Bear Lake Hall and Emerald Lake trailhead.
Essential: If you’re tenting at Glacier Basin or Aspenglen Campgrounds OR have a reservation for a guided tour you do not want the additional timed entry entry move. Campers at Timber Creek Campground will want a Park Entry Plus move for the Bear Lake Hall (which incorporates Emerald Lake).
Park Entry timed entry passes can be found on-line on a first-come first-serve foundation.
You’ll find extra details about the time entry passes and methods to get one on the Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park Timed Entry Allow System web site.
The place To Start Your Emerald Lake Hike
The Emerald Lake hike begins at Bear Lake Trailhead situated off Bear Lake Street simply 20 minutes after getting into the park from the Beaver Meadows Entrance.
It’s some of the well-liked trailheads inside Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
To get to Bear Lake Street, enter the park from the east in Estes Park and drive roughly 0.2 miles till you see the signal main you to Bear Lake. Bear Lake Street is a winding paved 9-mile-long scenic path rising to over 9,000 toes in elevation. This space is called the Bear Lake Hall.
The Bear Lake Hall is dwelling to over 20 mountaineering trails, alpine lakes, waterfalls, fall foliage, and considerable wildlife.
Bear Lake can get very congested and it’s extremely really helpful to park in one of many designated park-and-ride tons to take the shuttle bus to the trailhead. The buses are clear and ethereal and run each 10-Quarter-hour in the summertime months. And they’re free!
Emerald Lake Path Information
Beginning Your Hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead
When you arrive on the Bear Lake Trailhead, keep left and observe the marked indicators to Nymph Lake. There are vault bathrooms obtainable within the parking space.
Nymph Lake
Nymph Lake is a picturesque alpine lake surrounded by a dense forest and is probably the most accessible lake alongside this path.
The hike to Nymph Lake is comparatively simple for the reason that path is well-maintained and is ideal for hikers of all talent ranges.
From the trailhead, attending to Nymph Lake takes about an hour and is roughly a 1.1-mile round-trip trek.
Alongside the best way, you’ll come throughout a number of small waterfalls and panorama adjustments as you slowly acquire about 245 toes in elevation.
When you attain Nymph Lake, take your time to soak within the views of the mountains and the lake’s tranquil waters. It’s a great spot for a fast break earlier than persevering with on to Dream Lake.
Dream Lake
The hike to Dream Lake from Nymph Lake is one other 0.6 miles alongside the identical path. It’s a steeper climb, gaining over 400 toes in elevation in simply over half a mile.
However it’s positively definitely worth the hike and when you arrive, it’s simple to see why it’s named Dream Lake- it’s spectacular!
The turquoise-blue water displays the encircling mountains and highlights Hallett Peak with stunning wildflowers lining the trail throughout the summer time months.
Dream Lake is a well-liked spot for fishing, wading, and picnicking and is taken into account one of many prettiest lakes in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
Nonetheless, be ready for crowds, particularly throughout peak season. Attempt to plan your go to for mountaineering early within the morning or on a weekday for a quieter expertise.
Dream Lake can be place to cease your hike if the little ones are tiring. There are many rocks to climb and funky streams to play in to make this an epic hike.
A number of households had been having fun with a snack on the encircling massive boulders whereas taking within the view. The full distance to Dream Lake from the Bear Lake trailhead is 2.2 miles roundtrip.
Tip: Whereas mountaineering from Nymph Lake to Dream Lake, look to your left to see glimpses of Longs Peak. This 14’er rises 14,259 toes excessive and is the tallest mountain inside Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park!
Emerald Lake
For these wanting to finish the hike and see all three of those stunning lakes, proceed on the path to Emerald Lake.
This part of the path has a variety of log stairs and is the hardest portion of the hike. You’ll attain an elevation of over 10,000 toes and mountaineering at this elevation could make you breathless should you aren’t acclimated to it. Take it gradual and relaxation as wanted.
The space from Dream to Emerald Lake is one other 0.6 miles. This part of the path presents gorgeous surroundings together with meadows, small waterfalls, streams, and wildflowers. Proceed to observe the path indicators to achieve Emerald Lake.
As soon as you are feeling as should you don’t need to see one other stair in your life, you attain the picturesque panorama surrounding Emerald Lake. Right here hikers are met with views of Tyndall Gorge, Flattop Mountain, and glowing Emerald Lake.
The full distance from the Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake is 3.6 miles roundtrip with an elevation acquire of 702 toes from the trailhead.
It’s a lot quicker heading again to the parking space because the path is generally downhill. Simply don’t overlook to go searching on the picturesque landscapes surrounding the path to get a unique angle!
Total this hike takes wherever from 2-3 hours relying on stops and mountaineering skills.
Advisable Mountain climbing Packing Checklist
Under are just a few of my favourite items of day mountaineering gear and proposals:
Suggestions for Mountain climbing Emerald Lake Path
Earlier than setting off in your hike in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park, take the following tips into consideration.
Elevation Adjustments
The paths in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park vary in elevation from 7,500 to over 12,000 toes. The hike to Emerald Lake has about 650 toes of elevation acquire roundtrip.
Anybody can expertise altitude points when coming from decrease elevations. Altitude acclimation takes time and may be totally different from individual to individual. Sometimes, it takes just a few days for the physique to acknowledge and start to adapt to increased elevations, however it might probably additionally take weeks.
So as to stop signs of altitude illness make sure to drink loads of fluids, restrict alcohol consumption, don’t skip meals, and get loads of relaxation.
In the event you discover any altitude illness signs like complications, dizziness, confusion, or nausea, search medical assist.
Solar Publicity
Ultraviolet gentle is extra intense at increased elevations as a result of thinner environment, which means there’s much less air for daylight to journey via.
In consequence, solar injury can happen extra simply at increased altitudes. It’s vital to defend your pores and skin from UV publicity should you plan on spending time within the solar for an prolonged time period.
Making use of sunscreen with a excessive SPF score, carrying a solar hat that shields your face and the again of your neck, and carrying UPF clothes and sun shades to guard your eyes from dangerous UV rays are really helpful.
Climate Adjustments
Any time you might be mountaineering at increased elevations it’s important to be ready with layers of clothes. The temperature can differ considerably from the start to the top of a hike, particularly with elevation adjustments.
Additionally, the climate circumstances can change quickly within the Rockies. Mountain climbing with a packable waterproof jacket is at all times a good suggestion.
We started our hike with sunny skies and had been met with a random hailstorm on our descent from Emerald Lake.
It’s useful to be ready with an additional set of garments and light-weight footwear in your automotive to alter into simply in case you might be met with inclement climate.
Learn Extra
Gown Proper For Your Hike
Searching for extra tips about visiting Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park? Take a look at these posts:
Are you planning on visiting Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park? Is the Emerald Lake path in your agenda? What questions do you continue to have? Depart a remark under!
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