Day 8 – Rocky Mountain National Park

Saturday, 10/12

Permits:

• Rocky Mountain National Park – 1 Day Vehicle Pass

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Agenda:

• Sprague Lake Sunrise
• A plane ride home

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A Morning at Sprague Lake

Our final morning in Estes Park began with an early wake-up call. Determined to witness the much-talked-about Sprague Lake sunrise, we left the house at 4:30 a.m. and arrived at the park entrance just after 5 a.m. Our hopes were high—not only for a beautiful sunrise but also for a chance to spot a moose. Fellow hikers at Dream Lake had shared stories of seeing a moose swimming in Sprague Lake just two days earlier.

As we pulled out of the driveway, we were met with a surprise: a harem of elk resting in our yard. The headlights illuminated their silhouettes, and a majestic bull elk with an impressive rack sat just off the driveway. Perhaps this was the same elk whose bugle calls had echoed throughout the night all week. It was an unforgettable experience to see them so close, a reminder of how trusting and comfortable wildlife can be around people here. This trust, however, is a double-edged sword, as the story of Samson the Elk reminds us. Samson, a famed elk of Estes Park, met a tragic end, and his legacy serves as a cautionary tale about respecting wildlife.

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Setting Up at Sprague Lake

Though sunrise wasn’t until 6:30 a.m., we entered the park early and were the first to arrive at Sprague Lake. By the time we parked and prepared for the cold morning ahead, a few more cars had joined us. The walk to the lake is short, but to reach the prime viewpoint with the mountain backdrop, you’ll need to traverse about half of the loop. Once there, I set up my tripod and waited.

It was cold—hand warmers would have been perfect, but unfortunately, we forgot them at home. As we waited, the night sky offered a chance for astrophotography, with stars shining brightly overhead and a faint blue tint appearing as daylight crept in. The dark skies of Rocky Mountain National Park are unforgettable, and I highly recommend spending some time in the park at night during your trip.

We heard Sprague Lake can be a busy location for photographers, although sunrise wasn’t until 6:30 at best, we still entered the park shortly after 5 a.m. at our timed entry point. We were the first to be scanned in and the first to arrive to Sprague Lake, but 3 or 4 cars weren’t far behind us parking in the lot. We packed up and prepared for a cold morning. The hike isn’t far, but you do have to traverse half of the loop to gain your mountain backdrop view of the lake. It wasn’t long and I was setup on the tripod and ready to await the sunrise. We prepared this time and made a special trip to bring hand warmers the day prior. Unfortunately, we forgot to bring them to the lake. Oops! Don’t make that mistake. The night sky offered opportunity for more astrophotography, the sky was full of stars and a blue tint appeared as daylight slowly arrived. You will never forget the stars in Rocky Mountain National Park. Make sure you spend time in the park at dark at some point of your trip.

Conversations by the Lake

As other photographers began to arrive, we shared the space politely. One of them, a pastor from Colorado, struck up a conversation with us. He shared stories of his hikes, including a recent 9-hour trek up one of the mountains in view. He also gave us the link to his website, Revealing Spirit Through Nature, which showcased photos from the very same morning. His slideshow, fittingly titled “Grateful,” reflected the spirit of our discussion about how fortunate he felt to live in such an awe-inspiring place.

Families also began to gather, many hoping to see a moose. While none appeared that morning, their presence added to the serene and communal atmosphere around the lake.

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A Changing Landscape

The morning was windy, with few clouds in the sky, and reflections on the lake were hard to come by. It seemed like conditions weren’t ideal for photography, but we waited patiently, chatting with our new pastor friend.

Then, in a moment of serendipity, everything changed. The wind calmed, the sun rose over the mountains, and clouds formed in the sky, creating a stunning and dramatic scene. What started as a less-than-ideal morning transformed into a spectacular sight. This was a lesson in patience—the weather and landscape can change in an instant in Rocky Mountain National Park. While other photographers had moved on, we were glad we stayed to witness it.

We spent a little more time hiking the rest of the loop around Sprague Lake, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. It was the perfect way to close our trip.

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Reflections on a Memorable Trip

Rocky Mountain National Park is a truly special place. From our first hike on the Alluvial Fan Trail, to early morning treks under the stars, to serene dinners on rocks overlooking mountain lakes, every moment was unforgettable. Sharing the space with wildlife like mule deer and elk, exploring the charming downtown of Estes Park, and learning the history of the Stanley Hotel made the experience even richer.

The food, the culture, the kind people of the mountain towns—all of it combined to create a trip we’ll cherish forever. This is a park that calls you back, offering something new with each visit. We feel lucky to have experienced it.

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Goodbye, Colorado

As we left Sprague Lake, we prepared for our two-hour drive to the airport for a 5 p.m. flight back to Pennsylvania. Though it was bittersweet to leave, we felt content knowing we’d made the most of our time in Colorado.

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Plan Your Own Adventure

Check out our resource page (in development) for maps and tips to help you plan your own Rocky Mountain National Park adventure. If you’ve enjoyed reading about our experiences, subscribe to our blog for updates on our next trip. Leave us a comment or note—we’d love to hear about your adventures too. Until next time, happy trails!