Emerald Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead
Larimer County, Colorado
Details
Distance
3.15 miles
Elevation Gain
650 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Whitney James
Emerald Lake is easy to access from the Bear Lake Trailhead. If you get there early in the morning, parking is free. This is a great spot for sunrise views of surrounding peaks.
Anyone who has been to Rocky Mountain National Park, or any national park for that matter, knows they get CROWDED. One of the best ways to beat the crowds are to arrive before the sun comes up (or stay after it goes down). That's how we opted to do Emerald Lake in RMNP.
After spending the night near Chasm Lake below Longs Peak, we entered the park via Estes and parked at the entirely empty lot for Bear Creek. This is a very popular snowshoe route in winter and short hike in every other season, and arguably one of the most scenic areas of the entire park.
The hike is only 3.5 miles roundtrip, with 650 feet elevation gain. You'll top out at 10,110, and with this altitude comes high winds at almost any time of year. The trail passes Bear and Dream Lakes, offers stunning views of Longs Peak to the South (if it's a clear day), and can be linked together with several other trails, like the one leading off to Haiyaha Lake. Tyndall Creek runs beautifully next to the trail to Emerald, and is worth some photos in and of itself. Once you reach Emerald, 12,713-foot Hallett Peak commands your attention. If you're as lucky as we were, you'll be the only ones there.
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Emerald Lake via Bear Lake Trailhead Reviews
This is one of my favorite short hikes in RMNP, just because you get the trail contains make vantage points of various beautiful lakes such as Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. Make sure you try to visit it in off season to avoid the crowds, as the trails can get pretty congested and less places to get a clean shot of the lakes.
5.0
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Nearby
Nymph, Dream, Emerald, and Haiyaha Lakes
Lake Helene and Two Rivers Lake
Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park
Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb
Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak
Snowshoe to Emerald Lake
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