Thursday, October 13, 2011

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado - Dream Lake/Glacier Gorge Hike

In August,  my husband and I spent a few days near Estes Park, Colorado at our friends' place in the mountains to rest, relax and "wine".  On a beautiful Saturday morning, Rocky Mountain National Park beckoned me with a 6+ mile hike.  My starting point was Bear Lake, elevation 9475 ft., 
 hiking up to Lake Haiyaha, elevation 11,220 ft., for my lunch stop, 
then back down over into Glacier Gorge, elevation 9240 ft. 

Imagine yourself hiking along with me on this amazingly gorgeous trek.

Bear Lake: 9475 ft. elevation
Dream Lake looking up to Hallet Peak.
 Nymph Lake:  9700+/-  ft. elevation

Nymph Lake

Nymph Lake looking up to Hallet Peak.

Lookout above Nymph Lake looking North/Northeast back towards Deer Mountain.

Lookout about Nymph Lake looking Southeast towards Storm Peak and Long Peak.
Dream Lake: 9900+/-  ft. elevation

Dream Lake looking up to Hallet Peak.

Dream Lake looking up to Hallet Peak.

Along the trail beyond Dream Lake: 
Snow, remember it is August.

Looking towards Storm Peak and Long Peak.
Lake Haiyaha:  11,220 ft. elevation
After a little bouldering you see this pristine lake!  A perfect place to sit on the rocks, soak in the sun, and peer into the water at the rainbow trout!  A great lunch spot!

Looking up at Otis Peak on the left.  

Along the trail in Glacier Gorge area:

Cliff and rocks along the trail.

Overlooking small pond towards Hallet Peak.

Looking back along the trail.  You can pick out the trail just to the left of the forward-most pine.

Looking up between Storm Peak and Long Peak.
Glacier Gorge Alberta Falls:  9400 ft. elevation

Alberta Falls

Just a short .8 mile distance, reaching the Glacier Gorge trailhead, 9420 ft. elevation, ends a wonderful day in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Thanks for joining me on My Mountain Green adventure!

8 comments:

Roy said...

Wow! Some really fantastic scenes Kathryn.
What a privilege to see them.

Kathryn said...

Thanks, Roy. I had driven through the park on the motorcycle several times, just the scenery from the road is amazing. This was the first time that I had hiked in the park, what you see off the road is unbelievable at times. Truly a national treasure.

Dawn Fine said...

Gorgeous place. I would love to hike there~ Someday maybe. Thanks for showing me around! :)

Torunn said...

Really beautiful scenery and beautiful mountains. See that nature is a little different than in Norway, but a lot are the same.

Kathryn said...

Torunn, Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I also enjoy seeing the beautiful scenery from other parts of the world.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking us along! Simply breathtaking... I can just smell the wonderfulness through your photos!

Kathryn said...

Morning Bray Farms, thanks for stopping by. I love keeping up to date on your "boys" and Gracie Belle.

Kathie Brown said...

I love that place and have done that hike, but it has been a very long time! thanks for the peak at Hallet peak! That trail always makes me want to break into that song from the movie: "The hills are alive...with the Sound of Music..." Spectacular vistas!