Estes Park is a great place for adventure, but it also holds one of my favorite winter hikes, Bear Lake to Emerald Lake.

Estes is a cozy little mountain town full of quaint shops, people seeking adventure, and some of the best taffy you will ever try! It is also the entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). RMNP is wonderful and full of life! There are tons of trails and animals! Trail ridge road is also park of the park and is the highest paved highway in the USA, as it takes you over the continental divide. You should try it sometime, but only in the summer since it’s closed all winter due to snow.

Now, let me tell you about my favorite winter hike. Bear Lake is a gorgeous lake in RMNP. Many people travel to see this lake nestled into the mountains. There are trails around the lake but the best one is the Emerald Lake hike.

Emerald Lake is the fourth lake from Bear Lake. Beginning at Bear it’s a little under 4 miles round trip out to Emerald. You also get to see two other beautiful lakes on the way out!

The trail begins with a fairly steep uphill that will have you asking if you are out of shape or need to start working out more (or maybe start working out in general). It’s really not that bad, but you are now at over 9,000 feet elevation so everyone will feel that at least a little. The first lake you come to is Nymph Lake. It’s a great feeling to get to the first lake. Since everything is frozen, you can hike right over the lake! This is the lake you will see the most people at since it’s the closest and shortest distance. It’s a beautiful view, but if the weather is bearable I’d encourage you to continue on.

Once you cross the lake it’s another uphill trail, but by now you are likely getting used to the air and know a good pace for yourself and your group. This part of the trail is my favorite section in the winter! Soon you will be at one of the best lookouts on the trail, and it’s a must see! Stop and soak it in. Take a few pictures but honestly, just look and see. It’s a view that you will want to remember!

Continue on the trail, which has some thin and tricky areas, until you get to the third lake, Dream Lake. This is the longest lake and it’s a stunning view in the winter! You will likely not believe that the view could get better than this… but it does! So don’t give up!

Dream Lake is a fun lake to cross in the winter due to the size, but this is also the place I’ve turned around the most often. If the weather is really cold or the wind is strong, you will start to really feel it out on this lake since there’s no tree coverage and you’ve been hiking for a while now. But if you are able, and the weather is good… snap a pic, get across the lake, and head into the trees on the opposite side for the final lake!

The final trail is the hardest to follow in the winter since you are simply following the snow packed areas made by those before you and this is the least traveled trail. But you can do it! There are a few very steep ascents in this section but it’s not terribly long. You will go through some trees right before the trail opens up to the lake. Take a deep breath, step through the trees, and look up.

Emerald Lake. You’ve made it! And you are now at the base of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, two 12,000+ foot mountains where you could see some adventurous people backcountry skiing down the valley of the Tyndall Glacier. It’s the most beautiful on a clear day with a fresh coat of snow, but sometimes you may not be that lucky. This lake will be very cold so you likely won’t stay long. But please, sit for a moment and just take it in.

Once you’ve taken in one of the most beautiful places on earth (and taken a few sips of water!!), you can begin your descent. Follow the same trail you took to come out and keep in mind that sometimes it’s easier (and more fun!) to slide on your snow pants down some of the hills.

That’s it. You made it to one of my favorite places and I hope you enjoyed the journey! It’s a place I go almost every year and it’s worth it every single time. It should take anywhere from 1.5-3 hours depending on the weather, your fitness, and your group size.

A note on snow shoes and then some final tips. In the winter you need either snow shoes or ice cleats. Both of these can be rented in town before you head into the park. If there’s fresh snow then snow shoes are the most fun, though they are more difficult to manage. I used ice cleats for the first time this year since the trails were packed and there wasn’t fresh snow… and I loved them! They were easy to use and super helpful! But again, fresh snow would need the snow shoe. (The people at rental stores are always helpful with this kind of thing too.) And I always rent poles as well to help make the hiking easier.

Final Tips:

• Bring a portable charger for your phone.
• Bring water and a snack.
• Check the weather.
• Get out early.
• Hike with a group.
• Wear layers and water proof clothing.
• Plan ahead and communicate with your group.
• Have fun and meet some new friends on the way!