Skip to main content

Wyoming Road Trip - Day 4: Rocky Mountain National Park

Image
By


Now settled in Cheyenne, it was time to do a series of day trips to explore various National Parks.  First up, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Route: I-25 to US 34 and US 36 into the Park (pretty much the same way back)

Photo Set on Flickr: Rocky Mountain National Park


The best way I can describe Rocky Mountain National Park is that the park is like one large Bob Ross painting come to life. Or that it is endless Bob Ross paintings come to life.  That's how much I enjoyed it.  This blog entry is not much about the travel getting there; but about the park itself and the hikes that I did. 

Going to RNMP in early November has both good points and bad points.  First, it is not nearly as crowded, and you do not need to make park entry reservations.  Also, if you are fortunate to go on a mild day, it can be very comfortable.  Unfortunately, in November, many amenities are closed including Trail Ridge Road.  I wasn't as worried about Trail Ridge Road as I wanted to take some time hiking.

The plan was to hike from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake - about four miles out and back.  To do this, we entered the park at the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station and then followed Bear Lake Road to its end at the Bear Lake Trailhead.  The drive along Bear Lake Road was very scenic and could easily be a blog entry on its own.

Bear Lake Road - Rocky Mountain National Park





Emerald Lake Hike:

The Bear Lake trailhead parking lot wasn't too crowded when we got there.  Bear Lake is immediately behind the trailhead to your right.  For this hike - we'll check out four alpine lakes.  (Bear, Nymph, Dream, and Emerald.)

Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park

The view of Longs Peak from the North Shore of Bear Lake is shown on the reverse side of the Colorado state quarter.  I didn't capture my own photo from here.  But there are so many great views around the lake that missing that opportunity did not matter.  Throughout this hike, I was mesmerized by the 12,713' high Hallet Peak that constantly rose in front of me.



After taking photos at Bear Lake, I began the hike towards Emerald Lake.  It's nearly two miles to Emerald Lake, and there's about a 700' elevation gain overall.  It is about 0.7 miles from Bear Lake to the next lake - Nymph Lake.  This hike has a steady elevation gain - and when you are an East Coaster like me - the altitude - around 9600' or so at this point - can get to you.

Nymph Lake

Hallett Peak (12,713') from Nymph Lake

It is here at Nymph Lake - where I took some time to sit and rest - that the lure of this hike began.  At every lake, I was drawn into the surroundings and its beauty even more.  Just when I thought I had seen some of the best scenery of my life - there was more.  It keeps you going.  And on a nice day - it was sunny and at this elevation a brisk 38-45 degrees or so - you couldn't help but want to go further and see more.


A nearly frozen over Nymph Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park

Nymph Lake was also where the transition of the lakes from unfrozen to frozen began.  Bear Lake had very little, if any, ice.  In contrast, Nymph Lake had started to freeze over for the winter.  All four lakes are fed by the melting of the Tyndall Glacier that sits between Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain.




The hike between Nymph and Dream Lakes offers great views, and the snowy surroundings make for a great backdrop.  Along the hike, I ran into a trio of local retired ladies that hike this route often this time of year as they can enjoy it with fewer crowds.  I also ran into a couple from Raleigh who were vacationing at RMNP after time in California.  Both groups were very friendly, and in the case of the retired trio, were very helpful in pointers to navigate around some of the trickier icy spots ahead.


Dream Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park


The beauty of Dream Lake, frozen over with snow-covered surroundings, fits its name.  The views are truly amazing and breathtaking.  I could have stopped the hike here and been more than happy.  The trail goes along the east side of the lake; Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain are majestic in this surrounding.

Trekking towards Emerald Lake with Hallett Peak in the background.

As I continued towards Emerald Lake, the altitude wasn't a problem. It was more how much time do I take on this hike to take photos; versus how much of this hike do I soak in.  By this time, the elevation was now over 10,000 feet.  Plus, the conditions were a little more treacherous.  There were a few iced over inclines that were difficult to navigate.  I didn't think of including or later purchasing chains/spikes to go over my hiking shoes.  The elderly trio suggested that on the return hike - that I slide down the icy slope on my rear.  So on the return, that's what I did.

Hallett Peak and the Flattop Mountains at Emerald Lake.



But back to Emerald Lake. Fortunately, there wasn't much of any crowd. It was myself and the group of new friends I made on the way.  Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, which dominated the backdrop of the entire hike, were pretty much in front of me.  Again, this lake topped the views of the others.  Reaching the final destination was calming - the chance to reflect on the beauty that was right in front of me and what I saw on the trek to Emerald Lake was relaxing and invigorating.  

Of note, as I was preparing to head back, a few 20-somethings showed up.  They had their Go Pro's and talked about their Instagram feeds.  Later, while hiking back, I couldn't help but be amused by another 20-something videoing her hike on her phone as John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" played.  I then looked down at her shoes - they were sneakers with no traction.  She most likely hit a "Rocky Mountain Bottom" when she got there.

I'm also glad that the plan to get to the trailhead early worked.  The hike back had a lot more people hiking towards Emerald Lake.  

This hike made me completely fall in love with Rocky Mountain National Park.  If I had more time, I would have done a few more hikes from the trailhead to Alberta Falls or Haiyaha.  But that'll be for another time, one that I hope I will be able to enjoy with my wife and two sons.

The enjoyment of RMNP didn't end there.  I met back up with Joe at the trailhead parking lot, and we explored more of the park via car and overlooks.




Longs Peak towers over the valley below.

US 34 East as you head out of the park.

Though I only got to spend one day at Rocky Mountain National Park, I am so glad that I got to experience just a tiny slice of it.  It is an amazing place and one I definitely will get back to.

Further Reading:

2021 Wyoming Road Trip Site Navigation:

Also at Gribblenation:

Photos without watermark - taken with post author's cell phone.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

By
Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California.  Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada.  The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926.  Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938.  A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947.   Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association.  Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe.   Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works  during its Centennial Edition.  The or...
Post a Comment
Read more

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

By
The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway.  In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County.  That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848.  During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

By
A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties.  From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort.  Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through.  The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70.  Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains.  When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate.  The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking.  At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap.  NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south.  This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40.    The Centra...
Post a Comment
Read more