On this hike, you get to see four very pretty alpine lakes (Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake) over a relatively short distance. The sweet spot months are from late May until mid-June and from early September after Labor Day until mid-October. As you hike in, youll start to get views of Longs Head Peak and Chiefs Head Peak in the distance. This has been corrected in the article . Rocky Mountain National Park is bursting with an abundance of natural beautyincluding six glaciers, some of the highest mountains in the continental U.S., and, on either side of the Continental Divide, over 100 pristine mountain lakes, forested valleys, and the kind of majestic high . One of the best seasons for hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is the spring. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. At roughly three miles into the hike, you will reach Mills Lake. This loop trail is 0.7 miles in length and can be busy at times. Like Bear Lake, it is an easy hike to get here. With 360-degree views of the Mummy Range and dozens of RMNPs other giants, the relatively unfrequented, 12,880-foot Mount Ida offers one of the best viewpoints in all of Rocky Mountain National Park. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. Bearfoot Theory participates in affiliate programs with a variety of retailers and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, including Amazon, REI, Backcountry and others. Its best to hike in the morning and to be below the tree line by 1 pm. Moraine Park is another popular area that sees quite a bit of traffic too. About a half of a mile past the falls, youll come to North Longs Peak Trail Junction. Begin here, at Glacier Gorge, and hike for a quarter of a mile over Chaos Creek until you see the trail split. This is where the views really start to open up and you can see across the valley towards Longs Peak. The Loch Hike details. Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge is without a doubt one of the best Rocky Mountain National park hikes. Colorado, USA. This is a great hike for newbie hikers who want to summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way, youll pass through the Chasm Junction with 2,130 feet of elevation behind you, and as the Rockies unfold in front of you, one of the most scenic privies to take a break and relieve yourself. There youll find a cascading waterfall with a small, rocky path that leads you up the side of it for a truly unique vantage point. PRO TRAVEL TIP: It can be 20 to 30 degrees cooler on the alpine tundra than in Estes Park or Grand Lake. The Stanley Hotel. From Bear Lake Road, turn left onto Highway 36 and continue on to Trail Ridge Road. All hikes mentioned below are perfect for day hikes. It might be brief, but this short hike to Emerald Lake brings big rewards. Cross over to the outlet and boulder hop your way to the right side of the lake to find a private spot to sit and take it all in. Emerald Lake Trail The hike to the Emerald Lake is one of the easiest hikes in Rocky Mountains National Park Length: 3.2 miles | Elevation gain: 698 feet | Guide For many visitors to Colorado, bagging one of the state's 53 highly coveted 14ers (peaks higher than 14,000 feet) can be top of the list. Bearfoot Theory is one of the leading hiking, camping, and van life blogs powered by an all-female team. Hey Kaeshawn! Black Lake Trail and Sky Pond are tied for my second favorite trail, since they both have all the features youd want (waterfall, scenic vistas, and an alpine meadow) from one of Rocky Mountain National Parks best hikes. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. This is a great hike to do with kids. I think it is better to drive Trail Ridge Road in the afternoon than visit Bear Lake. If you plan to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms occur quite frequently. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. On the Keyhole Route, the hike ends with some serious rock scrambling and lots of exposure. The Bear Lake Corridor is home to some of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and typically by 5 am parking is unavailable at any of the trailheads. The entire hike is less than a mile in length, making it great for all ages and ability levels. That means picking up any trash you see on the trail, practicing good trail etiquette, and being respectful to other hikers. During this time, you get to enjoy panoramic views of Rocky Mountain National Park. Distance: 5.5 miles. Please advise, You can try to reserve it now. Trail Type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Trailhead Location Yup. Nymph and Dream Lakes are beautiful, so you will have a wonderful hike if you choose to turn around at Dream Lake. Heres the thing: this hike starts just under 12,000 feet of elevation. Odessa Lake to Lake Helene Thru Hike. We hiked Emerald Lake Trail in time for the sunset (not the best for photography at the lake) but the colors were pretty during our descent, and there were fewer people on the way down.It starts off at Bear Lake Trailhead, where youll hike past Nymph Lake within the first half of a mile, with views of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain in the distance. However, it only runs daily from May 25-September 13. Trip at a Glance: Day 1 - Start with a scenic road trip and then hike the Wild Basin trail (1-6 mile options), drive Trail Ridge Road, and end with a 2.5 hour hike to Moraine Lake with chances to see wildlife.Spend the night in Estes Park. They include Alpine Ridge Trail, Forest Canyon Overlook, Alluvial Fan West Trail, and Beaver Ponds Boardwalk. You will pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake on your way to Emerald. If we plan on leaving Denver around 11 and traveling the Trail Ridge road would we only need the regular park pass? When you get to the end, take the trail all the way out to the farthest left end of the lake. The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a nice trail with a lot of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views. A short footpath will take you all the way around we even spotted a bull moose here.Continue on to Odessa Lake, but watch your step. Features a wide variety of hikes, from family-and wheelchair-friendly to challenging and strenuous options for hardier trekkers. With 415 square miles of breathtaking mountain environments and more than 300 miles of hiking trails, you will never run out of things to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. However, if you only have the time for one hike, and the thought of a tough, 9-mile hike isnt a deal breaker, we recommend Sky Pond. But don't be intimidated by its height. The weather is warm, the days are long, and this is the best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park if you plan to go hiking. You will also pass the trailhead for the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge. PRO TRAVEL TIP: For the hikes that start on Bear Lake Road (Bear Lake, Alberta Falls, Mills & Black Lake, Sky Pond, Fern Lake, Hallett Peak) consider either arriving very early in the day (by 7 am) or taking the free park shuttle. Along the way, there is a good chance that you will spot bighorn sheep and elk. If you choose to hike Chasm Lake, you will be skipping Bear Lake. Julie Last updated: February 23, 2023 United States 8 Comments. However, snow is possible at both times at higher . It also makes a nice acclimatization hike if you just arrived in Colorado and want to warm up your legs and cardio system, before tackling hikes like Chasm Lake, Flattop Mountain, or Mt. At approximately 1.9 miles in, youll reach Lightning Bridge, a footbridge thats bookended by two signs warning hikers about lightening risk. If you want to leave the crowds behind, Twin Sisters, Mt. With lower crowds this time of year, there is no need to get to the Bear Lake Trailhead super early in the morning. This is the most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. During the remainder of the year it is closed due to snow. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK: For an overview of Rocky Mountain National Park and links to all of our RMNP articles, take a look at our Rocky MountainNational Park Travel Guide. Parking in the lot at the end of Bear Lake Road adds roughly .4 miles to the hiking distance above. Ida), Chasm Lake (another gorgeous lake hike), and Tombstone Ridge (its short, its easy, the views are amazing, and most people can handle this hike). You also have the option to add on a fifth lake, Lake Haiyaha, making this hike a total of 6.2 miles. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. It's hard to narrow it down, but here are a few ideal day hikes that will give you a great introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park. Maybe you should say Longs Peak ranger station, or Longs Peak trailhead instead. Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is a much different experience in the winter than the summer months. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be allowed to enter the park. We spent a total of 10 days in the Park, focusing a majority of our time around Bear Lake, Fern Lake, and Longs Peak on the East side of the Park. The most popular hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Im glad we could help! Its important to be prepared, check the forecast ahead of time, and pack extra hiking layers to keep you warm. Read the reviews of your fellow travelers. This very highly rated property offers two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people. View from Deer Mountain | Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make a left turn to follow the road all the way to the trailhead and parking lot. Easy Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park 1. Starting at the Alpine Visitor Center (the highest visitor center in the United States) you simply hike up a long staircase to a viewpoint. There are very few paved trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra, with unobstructed views of Longs Peak, Forest Canyon, and the Continental Divide. This summer itinerary works best from Memorial Day through mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open. 2. This is my favorite easy day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park and the one I often bring out-of-town friends on. The trail gains 700 feet as it climbs to Emerald Lake, which sits at 10,110 feet above sea level. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks. In the summertime youll be surrounded by wildflowers. The way up to here is known to have snow and icy conditions at about 3.8 miles in, which doesnt melt until mid or even late June. For much of the hike you are walking along the Continental Divide. This part of the hike is tough as you are hiking over very rugged terrain. This trail is a great way to see many of the Rocky Mountain National Parks lakes all in the same hike. Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park offers the visitor a tremendously unique perspective and experience because a majority of the park's visitors only have time for single-day outings. 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