Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

Estes Park, Colorado

4.9/5

based on 9 reviews

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Distance

2.2 miles

Elevation Gain

402 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Christin Healey

Dream Lake is a gorgeous hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park, one hour from Boulder, CO. This is a pretty short hike so catching a sunrise isn't too rough, and it's one of the few hikes in the park that is manageable in any season.

Begin at the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the entrance on Highway 36. Follow the signs to Dream Lake, passing Nymph Lake about halfway through. At 1.1 miles you will reach Dream Lake. The views of 12,713-foot Hallett Peak and 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain from the east shore of this subalpine lake are incredible, and the perfect backdrop for this aptly named lake. On your way back to the parking lot, be sure to get some shots from the trail as the mountain views headed down are some of the best in the park.

Be sure to check the trail status before you go to get the most current conditions. Microspikes in the winter are a must, and possibly snowshoes if the trail is not packed down. Also, keep in mind that this is an alpine lake around 10,000 ft, and also can experience very intense winds - be prepared!

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Photography

Snowshoeing

Hiking

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Lake

Scenic

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake Reviews

Ashley Toon

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

01/25/16

This view never gets old. Ever. It's a must see, plus if you get there early enough you actually get a parking spot (so the sunrise is a great idea for many reasons).

5.0

Explorer

Jamie Fleck

Explorer

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

01/19/16

We hiked to Dream Lake during the colder season, and it was great because there were no crowds and we were able to enjoy the scenery, including Hallet Peak. Along the trail, you get to enjoy Nymph Lake and Emerald Lake as well!

5.0

Explorer

Jason Hatfield

Explorer

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

12/31/15

The times I've been up here the winds have been 50mph+ for sunrise, so a hammock isn't a good idea. The trail is usually pretty packed down unless there's been snow overnight.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

Bear Lake to Flattop Mountain The trail starts at Bear Lake, where you get a view of Hallett Peak (12,713 ft) which will be the highpoint of your hike. After a short walk on the Bear Lake Trail, take the path to the right. After 1/2 a mile, take a trail left to the north. 1/2 a mile later, stay left at the trail intersection. If you follow the signs to Flattop Mountain, you should have no probl...

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

While not as popular as Dream Lake, Nymph Lake is just as beautiful. The hike to Nymph Lake is an easy hike just over 1 mile. You start from the Bear Lake Trail head and can go further on to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake if you want to. Both Dream and Emerald Lakes are also stunning and very photogenic as well. Nymph Lake is a great spot to capture the reflection of the still water and beautiful ...

Ptarmigan Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

The hike to Ptarmigan Lake has plenty of elevation gain for mountain lovers and views for miles from the Continental Divide. If you want to reach this spot for sunrise you'll need a very early start in the morning, but that also means you won't have to use the shuttle system to Bear Lake. The last half mile of the hike is off-trail so make sure to watch your step and practice Leave No Trace Pri...

Photograph Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a popular tourist destination in Rocky Mountain NP, but when the sun is low in the sky or the stars are out you'll find the big crowd are gone. The lake is beautiful at sunrise and sunset but especially photogenic in the fall or at winter's end. While it doesn't have the darkest night skies it can still serve as an excellent location to watch meteors or photograph star trails abov...

Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

To catch the sunrise, begin at the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the trailhead, veer right around bear lake and continue along the Odessa Lake/Flattop Mountain trail. This will begin to ascend on your right.After approximately 1 mile, the Flattop Mountain Trail will split off the main trail on the left. Caution, in the winter the sign can be almost buried in snow, so...

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

Snowshoeing to Emerald Lake was completely different from hiking the trail during summer. Instead of hiking around Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake, I was able to go straight across them (check the ice to make sure it's thick enough to support your weight). Rocky Mountain National Park's trails get a lot of use even in winter, which makes it easier to find your way. When the snow cover...

Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake

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Catch a Sunrise at Dream Lake Reviews

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Nearby

Hike Flattop Hallett Andrews Loop

Nymph Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

Ptarmigan Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead

Photograph Bear Lake

Winter Hike Flattop Mountain

Snowshoe to Emerald Lake

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