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Emerald Lake

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.7 (364)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Rocky Mountain National Park
  5. Bear Lake
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“An easy to moderate out and back that culminates at views of Emerald Lake. ”

Brian Smith
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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.4

KM

Out and Back

10,104' 3,080 m

High

9,476' 2,888 m

Low

661' 201 m

Up

651' 198 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This hike is short enough and gradual enough to bring along young kids. You can turn around whenever you want and there are many great picnic spot along the way!

Overview

This is a short, fairly easy out-and-back that features Dream and Emerald Lakes.

Description

From the Bear Lake trailhead, follow the signs for Dream Lake onto this well-traveled, asphalt-sealed trail. Hiking is very easygoing along the Dream Lake Trail as it contours at very mellow grades up the slope.

Just over 1.5 miles from the TH, you'll reach Nymph Lake, a picturesque mountain lake that makes for a good place to take in the surrounding peaks. Continuing up the trail, you'll eventually cross Tyndall Creek and come to a junction with Lake Haiyaha Trail. Hike past this intersection to reach Dream Lake.

Dream Lake is a spectacular, narrow lake that sits in a drainage on the rugged eastern slope of Flattop Mountain. The lake makes for a good resting point on this hike. Once you've gotten your fill at Dream Lake, continue hiking along the trail for another mile until you reach Emerald Lake. This lake is a beautiful sight to see as it sits nestled into the rugged western face of Flattop Mountain.

From Emerald Lake, turn around and hike back the way you came to the Bear Lake TH.

Flora & Fauna

This hike follows Tyndall Creek up towards its headwaters. Look for riparian vegetation typical of this environment including various willows, mountain alder, and water birch with dark-colored bark. In a few places, blue spruce may grow near streams and sometimes hybridize with Engelmann spruce.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Rocky Mountain National Park

Shared By:

Brian Smith with improvements by Waylon Calabrese
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 364 votes

#2

in Bear Lake

#13

Overall
  4.7 from 364 votes
5 Star
77%
4 Star
21%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Bear Lake

#7

in Colorado

#13

Overall
68 Views Last Month
48,691 Since Jan 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Representing the REI NP Centennial backpack at Dream Lake, looking towards Flattop Mountain (right) and Hallett Peak (left).
May 20, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
The view to Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain from Dream Lake.
Dec 8, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Dancing up a dream.
Apr 23, 2017 near Estes Park, CO
Long's Peak and aspens
Jan 19, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Dream Lake
Jan 8, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Dream Lake
Aug 25, 2015 near Estes Park, CO

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 25 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 4, 2024
Dan Shemon
Blue skies, cold wind! So cool with all the mountain lakes frozen solid! 4mi — 1h 15m
Dec 31, 2023
Sean Zeeck
Early morning hike to watch the sunrise at ~7:30am. Left trailhead by 5:30am to catch blue hour at Emerald Lake. ~0 degrees up at the lake. 3.6mi — 3h 00m
Nov 22, 2023
Azaria Asfaw
6h 00m
Oct 31, 2023
Christa Finer
Oct 16, 2023
George Hagan
12h 30m
Oct 7, 2023
Elizabeth Reznikov
Sep 26, 2023
Rod Strand
Rod
Sep 8, 2023
Haden Smith
3.3mi

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