Emerald Lake Trail

The Trail
This moderate trail is 1.8 miles long (one way) with a 614 foot elevation change. Before reaching the pristine Emerald Lake, this trail passes by two other lakes: Nymph Lake (0.6 mile up the trail) and Dream Lake (1.2 miles up the trail).

Topographical Map (Blue=Emerald Lake Trail; Red=Alberta Falls Trail

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This is probably one of the most popular trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, so you can expect to see lots of traffic along it. The trail itself is wide and easy to follow with clearly marked signs along the way.

The first lake, Nymph Lake, has dirt banks with grasses and lilies growing in it. From the northwest side of the lake, you can catch of glimpse of Flattop Mountain peeking out from behind the hills.

Nymph Lake

Nymph Lake from northwest side

Continue up the trail past Nymph Lake and you will reach rock platform just off the trail with a nice view. From here you can look down on Nymph Lake.

View of Nymph Lake from rock

A little before you reach Dream Lake, there is a split in the trail. Keep right to continue to Dream and Emerald Lakes. Turning left will lead to Lake Haiyaha, which will be about 1.1 miles from this turn off point. At the end of June, we started encountering some spots of snow along the trail along this point as well.

Pond next to Dream Lake

Dream Lake is quite picturesque, with even better views of Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak. It is a very long lake, and the trail continues up alongside it toward Emerald Lake. This area is also quite wet, but boardwalks keep hikers out of the swampy areas.

Dream Lake

 

After Dream Lake, the trail continues along next to the creek flowing from Emerald to Dream Lake.

Creek flowing across rocks on its way to Dream Lake

Not long after leaving Dream Lake, hikers will arrive at Emerald Lake, flanked by Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak.

Emerald Lake with Flattop Mountain behind it

A Clark's Nutcracker at Emerald Lake

A Yellow-Bellied Marmot looking for a handout at Emerald
Lake. Please do not feed the wildlife! It is ultimately
harmful to them, and it is forbidden in the park.

Emerald Lake with Hallett Peak

Vault Toilets are available at the trailhead. Dogs are not permitted on this trail or other trails within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Directions
This trail is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is next to Estes Park in Larimer County, Colorado. To get there, take US-36/Moraine Ave. east from Estes Park into Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that there is a fee to enter the park. Turn left onto Bear Lake Road and continue to the parking area at the end of the road. The trail is at the far end of this parking area. Just follow the signs indicating the correct trail since there are several trails starting here at about the same spot. Note that the parking almost always fills up early in the morning, in which case you will have to park at the Park and Ride station and take a shuttle to the trailhead.