Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
For a long time, I’ve wanted to explore more of the natural beauty of the western United States. In October, my birthday was coming up and I was itching to get away. With the pandemic, it felt like the perfect time to see more of the great outdoors. We headed to Colorado for five nights and it did not disappoint. We were lucky to have great weather and not be impacted by the wildfires that have devastated the west this year.
Our first adventure in Colorado was driving from Denver up to Estes Park to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. We made the journey on the Peak to Peak Highway to take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage.
Bear Lake
In Rocky Mountain National Park, we hiked on the Emerald Lake Trail, which starts at Bear Lake. The trail is 3.3 miles with an elevation gain of 702 feet. If you walk all the way around Bear Lake, it will add another 0.7 miles to your hike.
Nymph Lake
The second lake you come to is Nymph Lake, which is covered in lily pads. There were a lot of chipmunks and squirrels hanging out here looking for snacks from the hikers.
Dream Lake
The third lake is Dream Lake, which is very clear and just beautiful. If you are like me, you will definitely be happy to arrive at one of the lakes for a break. This trail is rated moderate, but it was harder than I expected for someone like me not used to the altitude.
Emerald Lake
Finally, we made it to Emerald Lake! I felt a big sense of accomplishment for making it all the way here. Emerald Lake has an elevation of more than 10,000 feet! We saw one brave (or slightly crazy) soul jump in the lake. Perhaps it would be more refreshing to swim in the alpine waters in the summertime. We hung out and enjoyed a snack with our chipmunk friends before heading back. The trail is a loop, so you return the same way you came.
Alberta Falls
There is another trail you can take from the same place the Emerald Lake Trail begins that goes to Alberta Falls. We decided to take that one, too. It is 1.6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 252 feet, so it is not as long. We crossed a stream on some logs to get a better view of the waterfalls.
I definitely recommend checking out Rocky Mountain National Park if you get a chance. Even if you are not into hiking, just the views driving around are gorgeous! What is your favorite thing to do in Rocky Mountain National Park?
Check out more things to do around Denver: Mile High Bike Tours, Georgetown Loop Railroad, Red Rocks Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and the Peak to Peak Highway.
