Overview:
⏰ Start: 6:00AM | Return: 1:00PM
🚐 Pickup from Boulder & Estes Park
🧺 Snack Assortment
🥾 Activity Level: Moderate to Hard
👴 Suggested Age: 10+
❌ Free Cancelations 24 Hours in Advance
Inclusions:
✅ Admission Into National Park
✅ Comfortable Premium Transportation
✅ Local, Expert Naturalist Tour Guide
✅ Hiking Poles for Each Guest
✅ Light Breakfast Bites
✅ Snack Assortment
✅ Water Bottles
✅ Vortex Binoculars for Each Guest
✅ Spotting Scope
✅ Pickup From Hotel
❌ Lunch (Unless Requested)
❌ Guide Gratuity (Optional)
Itinerary:
1. Pickup in Boulder — 6:00 AM
We’ll pick you up directly from your lodging in Boulder to begin your day exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. If you’re staying outside Boulder, we can arrange a convenient meeting location.
2. Stop at the Famous Stanley Hotel
Visit the historic Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s The Shining. This is a great opportunity to admire the landmark, take photos, use the restroom, or grab a coffee before heading into the park.
3. Enter Rocky Mountain National Park
Enter Rocky Mountain National Park through the Beaver Meadows Entrance. Park admission and the required timed-entry reservation for the Bear Lake Corridor are included in your tour.
4. Arrive at Bear Lake Trailhead
Begin your guided hike at the Bear Lake Trailhead, surrounded by towering evergreens and spectacular mountain scenery. Bear Lake sits at an elevation of 9,475 feet and offers beautiful views of the surrounding peaks.
5. Hike to Nymph Lake
Follow a scenic forest trail to Nymph Lake, a peaceful subalpine lake known for its lily pads during the warmer months. Enjoy the tranquil scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
6. Continue to Dream Lake
Continue uphill to Dream Lake, one of the most picturesque lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Enjoy breathtaking views of Hallett Peak and the surrounding mountains, with plenty of opportunities for photography along the shoreline.
7. Reach Emerald Lake
Continue along the trail to Emerald Lake, nestled beneath dramatic alpine cliffs. This is the final destination on our standard hike and a wonderful place to take in the mountain scenery before retracing our steps.
The hike from Bear Lake to Emerald Lake and back covers approximately 3.6 miles round trip, with around 600–700 feet of elevation gain.
8. Optional Hiking Extension: Lake Haiyaha & Alberta Falls
Want to explore more? If time, weather, trail conditions, and your group’s abilities allow, we can extend the adventure to include both Lake Haiyaha and Alberta Falls.
Lake Haiyaha: A beautiful alpine lake known for its dramatic boulders and striking blue-green water.
Alberta Falls: A picturesque waterfall tucked into a forested mountain setting, offering a scenic stop along the trail.
The extended hike covers approximately 6 miles round trip, with around 900–1,000 feet of elevation gain. We’ll discuss this option with you based on your preferences, your group’s abilities, and conditions on the day of your tour.
9. Return to Boulder
After our hike, we’ll drive back to Boulder and drop you off at your lodging. Your return time will depend on the group’s pace, trail conditions, and whether you choose the optional hiking extension.