Thursday, 10/10
Permits:
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Timed Entry + Bear Lake (7–9 a.m.)
Agenda:
- Emerald Lake
- Dream Lake
- Sprague Lake
- Full Throttle Distillery and Grill
Revisiting Emerald Lake
If you read our Day 2 blog post, you might recall that during our hike to Lake Haiyaha, we passed on the additional 0.6 miles to visit Emerald Lake. At the time, it seemed like a good call, but upon returning to our Airbnb, we read suggestions from our host—and her #1 recommendation was Emerald Lake. We knew we had to correct our oversight and head back up the trail.
This time, we used our Timed Entry + pass for Bear Lake Corridor and planned a late morning hike to Emerald Lake.
Hiking to Emerald Lake
We arrived at the Bear Lake Trailhead later in the morning, worried about parking. Fortunately, we found a spot, though the lot was nearly full. Here’s a tip: If you drive through the lot to the return side, you can find shady parking spots, which are much nicer when you need a break after your hike.
Having already hiked part of the trail in the dark on Day 2, the trek to Dream Lake felt quicker. We passed by Dream Lake this time and headed straight to Emerald Lake. The trail was busier, with many hikers continuing on to Emerald, but the path was manageable, and the hike was slightly more strenuous than the one to Dream Lake.
Upon arriving, we were greeted by Emerald Lake’s stunning turquoise color, darker yet vibrant, and framed by the towering mountains. The lake is enclosed by the peaks in close proximity, offering a perspective that emphasizes their grandeur. From a photography standpoint, capturing the lake was tricky due to its enclosed nature. I used my tripod to shoot multiple exposures for HDR (High Dynamic Range) editing later, which helped balance the light and shadows. Even with an 11mm wide-angle lens, I couldn’t fully capture the scene’s expansiveness.
Finding a good spot to rest and photograph required some climbing. Several large boulders along the left side of the lake provided excellent vantage points. It was windier at Emerald Lake than at Dream Lake, likely due to its higher altitude. Hallet Peak, visible from multiple locations in the park, dominates the view at Emerald Lake, creating an awe-inspiring backdrop.
Wildlife and the Hike Back
While at Emerald Lake and along the return to Dream Lake, we spotted Steller’s Jays and a Gray Jay, though I couldn’t get a focused photo of either. The birds seemed independent yet curious about the hikers, with the Steller’s Jays being more commonly seen.
Back at Dream Lake, we stopped by the north end to watch ducks feed along the shore. The crystal-clear water revealed cutthroat trout, which I captured in an underwater video with sunlight shimmering through the surface. It was a unique and beautiful sight, and the video became a fun conversation starter with other hikers.
We also heard from some fellow hikers that Sprague Lake is another great spot to view trout in the streams entering and exiting the lake. Since Sprague Lake was already on our agenda for the day, we decided to check it out for ourselves.
Exploring Sprague Lake
Sprague Lake is conveniently located along Bear Lake Road, not far from the Bear Lake Trailhead. The large parking lot made finding a spot easy, even on a sunny fall day. The area is well-equipped with picnic tables, making it a popular spot for families and visitors looking to relax.
The Sprague Lake Loop Trail circles the lake and is easy to access from the parking lot. Along the way, streams entering and exiting the lake are home to numerous brook trout, which you can see clearly from the walking bridges. These streams are a great spot for photography and a quiet escape from the more crowded areas of the lake.
On the east end of the lake, we scouted a location for sunrise photography. This spot offers a picturesque view of the lake with Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak in the background. Although we planned to return for a sunrise shoot the next morning, we ended up sleeping in and missing our entry time. Oops! Fortunately, we secured another Timed Entry + pass for Saturday morning.
Dinner at Full Throttle Distillery and Grill
After wrapping up at Sprague Lake, we returned to Estes Park for dinner at the Full Throttle Distillery and Grill. Be aware that this distillery has two locations: one in downtown Estes Park serving pizza and another up the hill with a full menu. We went to the latter, planning to try their cheesesteaks.
While the distillery had plenty of tasting options for those who enjoy alcohol, the food itself was average. The staff was friendly, but we wouldn’t choose this spot for dinner again unless we wanted to try the spirits. For non-drinkers, there are better options in town.
Wrap-Up and Plans for Tomorrow
After dinner, we headed back to our Airbnb to plan our next adventure. Although we missed the sunrise at Sprague Lake, we adjusted our schedule and secured a new pass for a later day. Our next blog will detail those new plans—stay tuned!
