Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Haiyaha Lake, and Alberta Falls in the Rocky Mountains
On our first trip to the Rocky Mountains, we decided to travel to several lakes: Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Haiyaha Lake, and Alberta Falls.
We left Estes Park in the morning for the Bear Lake trailhead. During reservation periods and hours, choose Timed Entry+, which includes Bear Lake Road and the rest of the park. You do not need a second regular Timed Entry reservation. Park admission is separate from the reservation processing fee; there is no additional road toll. Check dates and hours on the park website.
Bear Lake
Bear Lake lies at around 2,880 metres, close to the trailhead and parking area, with toilets and signs near the start. Do not assume the entire loop or onward trails are suitable for every wheelchair; check current access and trail conditions with rangers. Parking fills quickly, so check the seasonal shuttle and its operating hours.
The signage in the park is very organized, and it is difficult to get confused. Large wooden signs direct the travelers wherever the route splits or where there may be some doubt in the desired walking direction.
We also spotted wildlife near the lake and watched from a distance.
Nymphs Lake
From Bear Lake, we started to climb to Nymphs Lake. After walking about seven hundred meters, we reached the lake's southern end, partially covered with pond lilies.
Dream Lake
Another eight hundred meters of climbing brought us to the sub-alpine lake, Dream Lake. And you can really see dreamy views from here:
Lake Haiyaha
We originally planned to finish at Dream Lake, but a ranger encouraged us to continue to Lake Haiyaha. A June 2022 rockslide introduced fine rock particles into the lake, and during our September visit the water was an extraordinary turquoise. Getting there took effort, but the view made it worthwhile. This describes the colour we saw, not a guarantee for every visit.
Alberta Falls
From there, we continued to Alberta Falls. This time most of the way was already downhill. We saw a beautiful lake that no one bothered to name, squirrels, and a small bridge that Liat decided was suitable for dancing:
As you get closer to the falls, you hear the flow of water:
From Alberta Falls, we continued to the trail's end, which was close to the trailhead. There was a shuttle stop there, and after a few minutes, we got on the bus that took us to the parking lot, where we left the car.
It was a perfect day trip. Although the climb was challenging because we were not used to hiking at such a height, and the breathing was a bit heavy, the views and the lakes were simply amazing.
Before setting out, check current park entry arrangements, the weather, trails and shuttle service. A timed-entry reservation does not guarantee a parking space.