Monday, July 12, 2016
After a pretty awesome weekend spent camping in Pike National Forest, I headed back up to Rocky Mountain National Park on Monday. I wanted to get another trail under my belt so this time it was a hike up to Dream Lake and eventually Emerald Lake.
This particular route started at the Bear Lake trailhead and was an uphill walk most of the time. Although I’m still not quite acclimated to the altitude, uphill hikes don’t deter me especially when the payoff is as beautiful as the lakes within the national park.
The first lake the trail leads past is Nymph. Lily pads and flowers greeted me as I strolled past taking a few moments to take in the beauty. Next the trail gained some altitude as it wound up the mountain towards Dream Lake, which is even more beautiful than the first. A little lunch was in order to gain back some energy and a last minute decision to push farther on into the over 10,000 ft range and ending up at Emerald Lake. Although not even a mile, the trail between Dream and Emerald is definitely steep but the payoff is amazing. The peaks in the Fourteener Club jut into the air in a awe inspiring fashion as I sat on the lake shore taking it all in. Yet again, knock another hike off the list inside RMNP.
The trail starting at Bear Lake trailhead and leading towards Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Nymph Lake on the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Nymph Lake on the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Nymph Lake on the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
The trail leading towards Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
The trail leading towards Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Water flows down the mountains along the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Flowers bloom along the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Water flows down the mountains along the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Water flows down the mountains along the trail leading to Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Dream Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
The trail leading from Dream Lake to Emerald Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Snow is still packed along the trail leading to Emerald Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.
Emerald Lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on Monday, July 12, 2016.