Dream Lake Trail, an easy hike to one of Colorado’s most spectacular alpine lakes located in Rocky Mountain National Park. Popular, busy trail but so worth it! It captured our hearts from start to finish.
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Starting from the Bear Lake Trailhead and hiking the 1/2 mile to Nymph Lake the trail continues on another 1/2 mile to Dream Lake. Here, the trail becomes steeper but only for a short section.
NOTE: Bear Lake located at the Trailhead is beautiful if you are not up to a hike, take a stroll on the Bear Lake Loop around Bear Lake. One of the most popular spots in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The views of Longs Peak and Hallett Peak as we hiked up made this shorter steeper section seem quick and easy. So incredibly beautiful. Do you have Spikes? They are perfect for hiking on packed snow & ice.
Even though we have only hiked 1/2 mile from Nymph Lake it feels like we are in another world. It’s like eye candy in every direction.
It’s a high altitude trail and dehydration plus fickle weather is always something to consider. CLICK HERE> Practical gear that we love at Crazy About Colorado and have in our backpacks..
ARRIVING DREAM LAKE
The hike up was sensational and now arriving at Dream Lake it just gets better. One outstanding subalpine lake!
Dream Lake is still thawing from the winter and the winds and air are much colder standing before the lake. Personally, I felt the snow added to the beauty and I could not take my eyes off the Lake and the surrounding views.
Taking in the views of Flattop Mountain (12,324 ft) and Hallet Peak (12,713 ft) with Dream Lake below left me enthralled. In between the two mountains is the Tyndall Gorge where we will find the Tyndall Glacier as we continue on to Emerald Lake.
Highly recommend it even with all the other hikers alongside you. No solitude but oh so much more …
TIP: The hike to Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes are heavily trafficked and parking at Bear Lake is tricky. Come early or take the shuttle in the summer months. We found parking at Glacier Gorge Basin Trailhead and hiking towards Alberta Falls which has a trail connecting to Bear Lake was a better option.
For a trail map, >CLICK HERE. For shuttle Info, >CLICK HERE
TIDBITS
2.2 miles out and backRated: easy (slightly moderate)
Bear Lake Trailhead
Lake elevation: 9910 ft
MORE TRAILS
Emerald Lake HikeAlberta Falls Hike
LOCATED
HIKE NEARBY
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Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no added cost to you).
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