Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes
4 / 8
Memorial Day morning, I looked out the camper window, and could barely make out the outline of the mountains. I figured it might be a throwaway day. What’s the point of hiking in the Rockies if you can’t see them? Thankfully, the clouds started to lift by mid-morning. We headed out to the Bear Lake Trailhead for a 3.8 mile round trip hike to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes, with about 700 feet of elevation gain. The trail was partially covered in hard-packed snow, so we brought poles and crampons. They were a big help, especially compared to all the folks in sneakers, sliding around on every sloped section.
Nymph Lake
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Nymph Lake was mostly thawed but still surrounded by snow. The far side gave us a nice view with some great mountain reflections. The crowd was definitely there — it was Memorial Day — but it was manageable.
Dream Lake had a dramatic setting with snowy peaks behind it and was still partially frozen in spots. The views kept getting better the further we went.
Emerald Lake was nearly completely frozen over and set against a backdrop of steep, snow-covered mountains. We ate lunch there, soaking in the view. Just as we were finishing, the clouds rolled in and it started to lightly sleet. As we hiked back, we heard thunder in the distance. We picked up the pace and tried to beat the weather.
I had to marvel a bit at the incoming hikers, many with toddlers in backpack carriers, still heading up the trail under a gray sky. Just as we reached the trailhead, it started to drizzle. Once we got back to the camper and settled in, the rain really started to fall. Talk about perfect timing.
Later that evening, Danny made elk burgers for our Memorial Day dinner. It felt a little wrong eating elk while being surrounded by them... but I am a carnivore after all.
I had low expectations for the day when I woke up, but this ended up being one of our best so far.
Dream Lake had a dramatic setting with snowy peaks behind it and was still partially frozen in spots. The views kept getting better the further we went.
Emerald Lake was nearly completely frozen over and set against a backdrop of steep, snow-covered mountains. We ate lunch there, soaking in the view. Just as we were finishing, the clouds rolled in and it started to lightly sleet. As we hiked back, we heard thunder in the distance. We picked up the pace and tried to beat the weather.
I had to marvel a bit at the incoming hikers, many with toddlers in backpack carriers, still heading up the trail under a gray sky. Just as we reached the trailhead, it started to drizzle. Once we got back to the camper and settled in, the rain really started to fall. Talk about perfect timing.
Later that evening, Danny made elk burgers for our Memorial Day dinner. It felt a little wrong eating elk while being surrounded by them... but I am a carnivore after all.
I had low expectations for the day when I woke up, but this ended up being one of our best so far.