Day 7 – Wanderlust Hikes: Exploring Nature’s Path at RMNP

What would you be doing at 3 AM? Sorry for the weird question, but really. Sleeping, I’m guessing? Well, not us! On the Fourth of July, in the early morning (like early-early morning (before dawn)) we set out for a day full of wanderlust hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park. Don’t ask me how we did it. I am shocked that we actually pulled it off, and here’s how we did it and what we did at RMNP.

OUR DAY AT A GLANCE:

Jump to a section!

1. A Pitch Black Morning
2. Bear Lake Trailhead
   1. Bear Lake
   2. Nymph Lake
   3. Dream Lake
   4. Emerald Lake
   5. Lake Haiyaha
3. Glacier Gorge Trail Merge
   1. The Loch
   2. Timberline Falls
   3. Glass Lake
   4. Sky Pond
   5. Alberta Falls
4. A Laborious Way Back 😡
5. Recommendations & Takeaways

All I remember was annoyingly groaning and whining for the stupid alarm to just shut up. Slipping out of bed, I turned the alarms on both my parent’s phones off, just to discover that it was 3AM in the morning. Oh my god. 3AM. We’d better be off! Taking a fast shower while my dad was waking up my mom and my sister, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I woke up a 3AM to go to a national park to sit by a lake and watch the sunrise, as well as wondering on how beautiful it must be.

After the rest got ready, we all bundled up and headed down to the chilly parking lot. And boy it was cold. I was wearing 4 layers. A full-sleeve shirt, a half-sleeve over, a sweater, and a fat jacket. Off we went into the pitch black darkness towards the Beaver Meadows Entrance of RMNP to head down to the Bear Lake trailhead and see a stunning sunrise at the famous lake. We didn’t even need a TimedEntry+ permit (5AM to 6PM limited entrance to the Bear Lake Corridor of the park). Sunrise was at around 5:30 AM, and we left around 3:30 AM. It was a 45-minute drive, which meant we’d be arriving around 4:15-4:30ish.

The city of Estes Park looked haunted and deserted as nobody was in sight. Just a few cars, street lamps, and shop lights. My sister and I occasionally dozed off along the ride, and whenever I woke, all I saw was black outside.

The next time I woke up was thankfully the time when we passed the Beaver Meadows entrance. My dad took the left to enter the Bear Lake Trailhead and usually slipped past people, taking us down to the Bear Lake. And even for 3AM, there were quite a lot of people already there. A guy next to us came for rock climbing, and he said he’d snooze until around 5-6AM or so. But we wouldn’t rest. Turning a flashlight on, I led my family down the parking lot (or what was left of the parking lot: we got the first parking) towards the entrance to Bear Lake.

Bear Lake

Quite a few more families and/or traveling groups were there, walking over to the entrance. We headed over and found a nice spot to sit in the chilly morning. My sister bundled up in a camping blanket as we looked over the dark blue lake.

As time passed, the sun slowly rose, lighting up the lake, oh what an enchanting view. Around 5AM after the sun started rising, we started our Bear Lake Loop, catching various angles of beauty as the dawned sun shined over the lake.

After our loop of enjoyment and awe of Bear Lake, my sister took us back to the car. For what? For a nap and breakfast. I guess it was okay to do so because waking up was pretty tough. Our car at a glance: The parents were having morning tea, the sleepy sister took a well-deserved nap, and the eager boy started to plot out hiking destinations that the family would hike to.

Nymph Lake

Around 7:30, all was well and everyone was charged up for a hike after a nice rest and breakfast. Since we had already seen the sunrise at Bear Lake, according to my plan, we’d head out further on the Bear Lake Trailhead up to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lake, and follow the route up to Lake Haiyaha. My sister and I grabbed our sticks (the ones we found at Pikes Peak), and we set off.

The route up to Nymph Lake was like a rocky slope, with beautiful pine views along the way up. My parents took stops along the way so that they didn’t get tired, which gave me opportunities to take plenty of pictures. It was less than a mile of a hike but Nymph Lake just wasn’t in sight. Admiring the view, we kept on heading up, to a muddier area. Around the bushes you walk, and behold, the mesmerizing Nymph Lake. The water shined in the now bright sunlight, and the lily pads on top just added to the elegance of Nymph Lake. After walking around to see various angles of the lake, we moved onward to Dream Lake, which would be about another mile from here.

The hike wasn’t challenging but was just long. There were clearings along the way where you could rest and stop to check out views. My personal favorite was the Nymph Lake overlook view from a high rock that was visible from down on the lake. You could see mini lily pads upon the bright navy water.

We trekked on to arrive at a waterfall! The roaring whitewater rushed down from a higher point somewhere deeper in the forest. Guessing it might be a tributary to Alberta Falls, my sister and I observed the area as we enjoyed the sound of rushing water and the cool feel of mist from close by.

Dream Lake

Walking through the pine path, we approached a split in the trail. One would lead you to Lake Haiyaha after a 2-mile hike, while the other one would take you on a route down to Dream Lake, and then forward to Emerald Lake. Sticking to my plan, we headed to the little bridge on the right over a small stream and continued up the small path arriving at the rocky shore of a beautiful loch, also known as Dream Lake.

Vast and colorful, the turquoise water to the leafy green trees. The reddish fish of the water, the sandy yellow bottom, and the pastel peach rocks. Certainly, a scene you would see in your dream only. Moving along under the ponderosa, we caught lots of more beautiful views, as well as encountered Chip and Dale. Yes, the two Disney Chipmunks from your childhood! A silly chipmunk who’d stare at me and let me almost touch it to a clever chipmunk carrying around food and telling the other one to scram off. They chased each other around, creating some nice entertainment for us.

Different angles and areas showed different viewpoints, and Dream Lake was truly a dream come true. Heading up along the trail, I realized that Dream Lake not only looked like a dream but was also as big as a dream. It was huge! Walking along and along, it just never ended. Countless fishes swam by, and Dream Lake’s beauty kept on going.

Emerald Lake

On and on we went, crossing several small streams, and overlooking the lake of our dreams, the hike continued. After Dream Lake finally ended, a huge rock showed up, and on top a small little waterfall. We took a rest and then headed onward. A shortcut I found was hopping through a muddy slope back to the trail. Once getting through myself, I threw a stick down to each one of my family members to assist them find their way up.

Emerald Lake was only supposed to be 0.7 miles from Dream Lake, but it certainly felt longer. Crossing through the underbrush, we approached a clearing of some dead pine trees opening to a huge crater-like snowy mountain overlooking emerald-colored water. I guess that is why it’s called Emerald Lake. Rocks surrounded the lake, convenient enough to sit. There were weird -croaking sounds from nearby birds, of which I still cannot identify the species (MOST LIKELY THE AMERICAN DIPPER). Finding an overlooking spot on a high rock, we started resting and getting satisfied with the beauty of the emerald water shining in the sun.

To stick to our time schedule, we walked around the rocks and headed back, bidding farewell to my sister’s favorite lake. Basically, we walked all the way back from where we came from since it was an in-and-out trail.

Again, we approached Dream Lake, this time to see a cute brood of ducks. The mother would dunk underwater to find food, and the ducklings would swim after her just to get splashed as the mother came out. How cute. Once we reached the small bridge, we crossed it and headed for the other side of the trail, up to Lake Haiyaha.

Lake Haiyaha

A two-mile hike up rocky terrain isn’t as easy as it seemed. Especially when we were low on water. My sister and I separated from my parents as we were at a faster pace. The path was full of winding curves and bumpy rocks jutting out of the ground. The alpine views were breathtaking, and our elevation became clearly high as well. On and on we went through bright green forests. At one point, we found a lake, which we thought to be Lake Haiyaha, but clearly, it wasn’t. A low-water-level swampy water pool, certainly not.

Trudging on, my sister and I approached a rock hopping challenge. Slanted brown rocks that we jumped around led us to a center rock with something like a Joshua Tree on top (a pinus contorta, or a lodgepole pine). Around, a crystalline turquoise lake welcomed us tired hikers into its sides. Lake Haiyaha, the lake of many rocks, is a perfect sight. All that hiking was worth it. Our parents came into view 15 minutes later, hopping the rocks just like we did. After a nice reunion, we overlooked the beautiful lake together.

What time is it? Lunchtime! Heading out of Haiyaha, we stopped in the Chaos Canyon area overlooking a pond for our quick lunch/snack. The food energized us for the long hike ahead of us. My inner wanderlust idiot planned a total of a 13-15 mile hike, and I guess the way I described the further locations convinced my family to stick to my plan. Onward! Hiking back down the Haiyaha Trail, we approached the Bear Lake-Glacier Gorge Trailhead merging point. And guess what happens after that? Up the Glacier Gorge trailhead we go.

Things got a lot bumpier and rockier as we ventured off far into the deep and open brush. Down and up the trail curved, nobody in sight. The green forest around lighted by the shining sun and the gentle breeze made it a pleasant hike. Trudging onward, we met people ahead and asked about our ultimate destination – Sky Pond. Finding out that we had a long way to go to get to the point where we fully entered the Glacier Gorge Trailway, we walked along, enjoying the sights of nature we got.

A while later, we got to an intersection filled with people. It was the turning point to head upward towards the Loch and Sky Pond. Getting and giving directions, we were off upward. The trail winded to climb up the mountain. You’d go straight, turn around, and then go upwards from the other side. We met people along the way who’d been to Sky Pond and back, or just came back from a little before. Small waterfalls also dotted the area, which I guessed were coming all the way down from Timberline Falls up by Sky Pond.

And then there came a point where our hiking team (our family) started to separate. You see, my mom and sister got a little tired, so they trailed behind while my father and I hiked upward at a much faster pace. Soon, we were far ahead. We left our water bottle behind as a mark at one point to show that we made it that far and continued ahead.

The Loch

Sky Pond, O Sky Pond, where are you? That’s what my dad and I wondered as we hiked ahead. And then came a clearing with a few people standing around a sign that was labeled “The Loch”. Scottish for “lake”, vast and reaching far beyond was a pretty sight. Surrounded by mountains and in the middle of pine and fir forest, shining with the colors of the sun lay the Loch.

We stopped for a little to adore the sight and sat down, but then quickly headed out again into the forest, to Sky Pond we go. Turns out, within the trees you still got vivid views of the Loch. And it was huge! Just like Dream Lake, as big as a dream, the Loch spanned for great lengths.

On and on we walked, through the trees, over creeks and bridges, up and down the mountain. We asked everyone passing by if they’d hiked all the way up to Sky Pond and how much further it was and got quite a mixed set of responses. Some people said it was an easy 30-minute hike from the Loch, while others said it’d take us a good 2 hours to get there and climb the huge and slippery waterfall.

Trudging on and on, the sound of rushing water became clear, and an opening in the trees brought us out to the rocky steps, and up on the top was the giant Timberline Falls.

Timberline Falls

An amassing 100-foot waterfall stood before us and Sky Pond. It was either climb up the slippery jagged boulders or go up a steep path of pure ice. Considering that we didn’t have the gear to deal with ice and that we didn’t want to come sliding down because of a misstep, my dad chose that we go up the waterfall. A deep breath in, and we were off. The cool water trickled down the rocks, making them chilly, and a little slippery. I went first with my dad following. And to all who said it was a challenging climb, not for me and my dad! Like monkeys, we clambered our way, hopping from rock to rock on all 4s. It was easier than the average rock wall.

Stopping for a quick picture, as I turned around, I saw it all. From the roaring waterfall next to me leading down all the way into the Loch Vale, it was the most gorgeous scenery I had seen. The great Loch appeared like a tiny pond in the vastness of the pine and fir.

The last stage of the climb from there was all slippery rock. Balance was key as well as grip. Hoisting myself above the end, above the tree line, I exposed myself to the crisp air of the high tundra. Pulling my dad in from the last step, we both took in the air and our new surroundings. The tiny trees and ponds from below made us feel on top of the world, near the sky. And the clear lake in front of us made it even better. Finding a spot to rest, we laid down and observed clouds and formations of the crested mountain, with the sun giving us warmth and energy.

Glass Lake

Imagine this, you came all the way up there and were happy with your successful hike up to “Sky Pond” when you were actually told you still weren’t there. That’s exactly what happened to my dad and I, when we were told by some other hikers that this was Glass Lake, and Sky Pond, was still a “short” hike away. Oh well.

Glass Lake was a pretty small but clear lake that was surrounded by small patches of tundra vegetation in the form of flowers and grass that still grew up to 10,000 ft above sea level (where we were). This also meant that this would be the area where the tree line started to end.

I wanted to finish off the hike by heading to the real Sky Pond, and my dad agreed with me. Some other guy there also came with us, and we followed him down an undefined rocky trail into the small patch of trees there. And then he disappeared. My dad used his sense of direction and chose turns that led us to more rocks to hop, coming through a patch of snow and around a large rock to emerge into the real deal. Welcome to Sky Pond.

Sky Pond

The name is exactly as it sounds. Sky Pond, or a pond situated right below the sky. The light blue water shined in the direct sunlight, and the rocks around gave an even more beautiful effect to it. It was all worth it. The looooooong hike and the dangerous climb. We made it!

Absorbing the beauty in, I heard a croaking noise, and looking closely, on the tip of the long rocky edge was a cute, fat golden-bellied marmot, almost posing for me. As I rushed to take the picture, the little guy freaked out and hid in a crevice in the rocks. I still got a picture though.

Sky Pond’s beauty really added a good finish to our hike. Turning around, we saw that we had quite a long way back. And we had two family members to find as well.

Heading back the way we came, we wondered where my sister and mom actually ended up. Walking over the huge rocks near Glass Lake, a high-pitched enthusiastic voice came into my hearing. My little sister!!! She came running to give me a hug and from the distance we could see that my mom had reached us too. My dad and I were actually surprised that they’d made it this far. Sadly, the sun was about to set, so my sister and mom couldn’t get to fully reach Sky Pond for the complete view.

From there, we set off on the huge hike below. The plan was to go down the Glacier Gorge Trail and hop on the National Park’s shuttle to the Bear Lake Parking area. That is if we got down there in time! After hearing my mom and sister’s story of how they’d found our marking, and met people who told them we’d gone ahead, they reached here, and some lady gave my mom a hiking stick so she could successfully climb the waterfall. The climb up was easy, now we’d have to face the climb down. The rocks were much chillier and slippery, and the force of the water was faster too. I helped my mom down while my dad helped my sister. In the end, we made it down and went back into the slowly darkening forest.

At a quick pace, we made our way down the mountain, passing the beautiful loch and heading on and on. At one point, we split again, this time, my sister and I led ahead of our parents.

On and on and on and on went the trail. We followed. Hoping our parents kept up. Tired. Done with the rocky ground hitting up our feet. And to add to it, I had grabbed my mom’s phone for communication (which was impossible in the wilderness but whatever), which died of battery. And so did my camera. And then to lighten up our moods came a rocky area with the rushing sound of water. Alberta Falls!

Alberta Falls

A roaring white water waterfall went through a space between trees like a river and was a good place to relax a little. This meant we were only 1 mile away from the end, but that was still long enough for my tired little sister. I had to give her piggyback rides occasionally because either she’d whine too much or just find a rock to sit down on and wait for me to tell her to keep on going. Truth is, I was tired too.

A Laborious Way Back 😡

On and on we went. I got confused with the signs of the trail so we ended up hiking an extra little bit. Instead of the Glacier Gorge Trailhead, I took us on the route to the Bear Lake Trailhead, which in a way was good: our car was there, and we’d missed the last shuttle (7pm) anyway.

Soon after we came to the familiar parking lot, my sister and I sat down on park benches, tired of our wanderlust day. Our parents came by soon, 15 minutes later, and we left for our hotel. Speaking of which, it was the 4th of July! Which meant fireworks!!!! We drove up to Lake Estes where my parents stopped to watch the fireworks. My sister was out cold in her dreams, and I was really sleepy too.

Around 11pm, we finally checked in to our hotel: Traveloge, Loveland, CO. It had been a long day. And tomorrow would be quite a fun one too. Our last official day in Colorado, and especially our last time in RMNP. My dreams were filled with lakes and hikes that night. In total, we’d hiked over 13.5 miles, and boy were our feet sore. Within a few minutes, everyone was dozing off, getting recharged for the day tomorrow, which wouldn’t be on foot, but on horseback!

If you’re preparing for a hike in the Rockies, I’ve got some terrific recommendations and valuable takeaways to enhance your experience!

• Your Trip:
  • Hotel Stay – We stayed in Rocky Mountain Hotel and Conference Center, Estes Park, CO. I recommend it for any group. It offers free breakfast, parking, and cable TV.
    • Eat a filling breakfast before you leave from your home/hotel
  • Depart early so that you can reach the national park earlier and make it to Bear Lake without a TimedEntry+ if you missed it.
  • Plan how your hiking day.
  • Gear up well, and call in for the latest weather condition reports.
  • Be prepared for low oxygen as well as frequently changing weather conditions
  • Keep some food and other essentials in a bag with you.
  • Stay with your group
  • Enjoy the view!

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