Take a few steps off trail into clearings by the pond for good views of the Continental Divide. There is a fee to enter the park through this entrance. A strenuous snowshoe in the winter. Follow the road for about 16.1km until it ends at the Bear Lake Trailhead. The trail loops out and around into the Chaos Creek drainage. The two peaks that stand out from all the other ones are the Otis Peak (3806m)  on your left and the Hallet Peak (3875m) on your right. The trail branches off just before reaching Dream Lake and rises to a switchback and around a ridge with more terrific views of the Glacier Gorge and Longs Peak. Follow the sign with directions to Lake Haiyaha at the foot of Dream Lake. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. 5 backcountry sites along the trail before the Lake. It makes a hairpin turn west (left) over the third bridge (2.9 miles : 10,065') and steepens up uneven switchbacks to the Lake Haiyaha - Dream Lake Trail split (3.2 miles : 10,184'). Lake Haiyaha is also accessible from Glacier Gorge Trailhead by hiking nearly 2 miles to where the trails to Mills Lake and Loch Vale split. Looking across Chaos Canyon Hallett Peak soars upwards. Beautiful hike and many lakes with generous views. The trail drops to Glacier Junction, where you'll bear right (north) onto the unimproved trail to Lake Haiyaha. In between the two magnificent mountains is the Chaos Canyon. Sit on rocks along the edge of the peaceful lake and enjoy the stunning scenery. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. From the Bear Lake trailhead, hang a left, following the well-marked signs towards Nymph Lake. The trail to Haiyaha Lake is one of the most popular trails in the state if not all of the National Parks. Lake Haiyaha – 3.9mi / 6.3km This gorgeous lake sits in the surreal boulder fields of Chaos Canyon. Take an immediate left from the busy Bear Lake Trailhead and follow the signs for Emerald Lake. Once you arrive at Nymph Lake, about a half-mile from the trailhead, you’ll be able to see the top of Hallett Peak which is also the direction towards Dream Lake and Emerald Lake. The snow made everything looked so fluffy. The mountains that create the backdrop are the beginnings of Chaos Creek. As you wrap around the mountain, Longs Peak will become visible off in the distance. 0 2. Beginning at Bear Lake; Alberta Falls – @ .8 miles; Glacier Gorge Junction – @ 1.7 miles; Loch Vale/Haiyaha Junction – @ 2.2 miles Lake Haiyaha – @ 4.3 miles Just beyond the Beaver Meadows entrance station, turn left onto Bear Lake Road. At 12,486 ft., Otis Peak dominates the skyline. Lake Haiyaha is quite a steep trail but well worth the amazing alpine lake nestled into a panoramic mountain cirque! 3. 5. Trail Photos The trail climbs steeply up the north aspect of the mountain slope. This will add an additional 1 mile roundtrip to the hike. Lake Haiyaha is accessed from the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. From Estes Park, take highway 36 west and enter RMNP at the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Trip Reports There are huge boulders circling the whole lake – with an obvious reward in the middle of Chaos Canyon. After hiking for about a 1.6km, the trail will split. It’s about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Dream Lake to Lake Haiyaha, but it was slow going in the winter so it felt much longer. As with any loop, this can be hiked clockwise or counter clockwise. 0. This loop hike visits Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha, as well as Alberta Falls. Gain 225 ft. ... You may choose to make a loop by using both the road and trail, or you may follow either route in both directions. 8 4. This hike starts at the crowded Bear Lake trailhead but you can ditch the bulk of the less adventurous hikers by heading straight for Lake Haiyaha. Go straight for Loch Vale (0.8 mi. Lake Haiyaha, Colorado is an epic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Download the free Mchenrys Peak topo map. About 0.1 miles past this is the junction with the Lake Haiyaha Trail (right) and the trail leading down towards Glacier Gorge (left). Just before reaching Dream Lake, the trail to Lake Haiyaha branches left (south), and begins a climb of about 3/10 mile up the side of Hallett Peak. The trail to Lake Haiyaha is located on your way to Bear Lake, off to the left, just before reaching the shore viewing area of Bear Lake. After continuing on the trail for approximately another .5 mile, hikers will reach a trail split. The Lake Haiyaha hike can be connected into a larger loop connecting Dream Lake with the Glacier Gorge Trail towards The Loch. Hikers can also choose to head towards Loch Vale from Bear Lake by bearing left at Dream Lake. The trail begins alongside Bear Lake and ascends westward towards Tyndall Gorge, passing Nymph Lake along the way. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to reach the trailhead during peak tourist season. (Grab a trail map from a ranger as it will come in handy.) In winter, Lake Haiyaha has some of the most unique ice formations in the park. The trail is shorter, has less elevation gain and is fully maintained. The Lake Haiyaha Trail is located 8.9 miles from Estes Park, Colorado (CO) in Rocky Mountain National Park. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. For those who would like to make the trail longer, you can return for (m) to a junction with the Glacier Gorge trail and hike an extra (1.6km) to the Glacier Knobs and from there you can follow a trail to The Loch, which is a beautiful mountain tarn situated in a peaceful corner of the Rocky Mountain National Park. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! The hike to Mills Lake is an easy, busy trail that is perfect for a family walk, or you can…, The Bluebird Lake hike is in the lesser known Wild Basin area of RMNP. Print Trail Lake Haiyaha can alternatively be reached via the Bear Lake Trailhead (3.9 miles roundtrip). The Lake Haiyaha Trail is a historic hiking trail in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado.The trail is also known as, or subsumes, Nymph Lake Trail and Dream Lake Trail.It goes from Bear Lake up past Nymph Lake, then past Dream Lake, up to Lake Haiyaha.. Past Nymph Lake the trails climbs again to Dream Lake. Avoid the temptation to hike the Bear Lake Trail until after you return from the main hike you are trying to do. Hiking along the trail, you may see elk bedded down among trees near the trail or along the stream. Worth the effort. Copyright © 2020 10Adventures Inc. All rights reserved. The hike is most often started at Bear Lake due to shorter hiking distance and more established trail. The northeast corner provides the most direct views up Chaos Canyon. Anticipate more traffic, however, as much of the route is shared by those venturing to Dream and Emerald Lakes. Chaos Creek exits Lake Haiyaha from its northeast corner; those with good navigational skills can follow it a very short distance down valley to the seldom visited, Those seeking a comparably long dayhike with more points of interest can create a 6 mile loop by starting at the. 8. After hiking 2.4km, you’ll reach the Mills Lake intersection. Trail Map Bear Lake Trailhead – Dream Lake, and Lake Haiyaha | 3.9 Miles One Way. It’s easy to see why: Lake Haiyaha Trail is one of the best trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, especially during winter. Lake Haiyaha - 6.95 Miles Round-Trip Lake Haiyaha is accessible from two popular trailheads in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Bear Lake Trailhead provides a maintained and more direct route, while the Glacier Gorge Trailhead follows a longer, slightly more challenging one that includes 1.3 miles of unimproved trail.. The river shows the massive damage caused by a dam failure in 1982 that claimed the lives of three campers. The trail from Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake is quite popular. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to reach the trailhead during peak tourist season. Lake Haiyaha Trail is a 1.06 mile one way hike with 451 feet accumulated elevation gain. After hiking for about a 1.6km, the trail will split. Lake Haiyaha is a beautiful alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, but lacks the crowds of nearby Dream and Emerald lakes. Want to find more amazing hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park? See the Dream Lake trail description for details. 8. Stay on the main trail, staying to the right and then make a left at the next intersection that shortly follows, following the signs for Alberta Falls. At times, it will be teeming with risen fish rather easy to … 5 1. Stay … Hikers should have little trouble on this lightly used alternative through a cluttered, unspoiled forest. The trail reaches an outdated 'End of Trail' / directional sign for Haiyaha near a small pond (2.6 miles : 9,880'); simply follow the sign's guidance and continue on. Stay right here and follow the path for ~0.25 miles to the southeastern shore of Lake Haiyaha (~1.9 miles from the trailhead). This trail stands a head above in terms of ecological variety, accessibility, and kid friendliness. Both paths reconnect and continue towards Lake Haiyaha. Become a Contributor at 10Adventures and share your adventures! The view of Lake Haiyaha and the surrounding mountain peaks is simply breathtaking. This moderate trail switchbacks trough a dense pine forest and offers some amazing views of the Glacier Basin area. 4. 0.5 miles. This is a fantastic loop option. Lake Haiyaha Trail - Rocky Mountain NP - Located 4.1 miles away, on the Mchenrys Peak Topo Map Chasm Lake Trail - Rocky Mountain NP - Located 4.3 miles away, on the Longs Peak Topo Map Deer Ridge Trail - Rocky Mountain NP - Located 4.4 miles away, on the Estes Park Topo Map Despite its unmaintained classification the trail is fairly well defined and easy to follow (remain vigilant as snow, overgrowth, or animal tracks can obscure the path). After about ½ mile of relatively level hiking, trekkers will reach a trail junction. n Lake Flattop Mountain Lake Haiyaha Lake Helene Mills Lake Nymph Lake Sky Pond Sprague Lake Loop The Loch The Pool All Glacier Gorge trails can be accessed f r om Bear Lake. Lake Haiyaha is accessible from two popular trailheads in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Bear Lake Trailhead provides a maintained and more direct route, while the Glacier Gorge Trailhead follows a longer, slightly more challenging one that includes 1.3 miles of unimproved trail. From the junction, the trail takes us south and we flank Hallet Peak. Bear Lake Trailhead: Nymph, Dream & Emerald Lakes, 6.95 miles (includes unimproved segments), +981' net elevation gain (+1,231' total roundtrip elevation gain), N40 17.844 W105 38.762 — Split for unimproved trail to Lake Haiyaha, N40 18.013 W105 38.934 — Continuing towards Lake Haiyaha, N40 18.082 W105 39.054 — Sign for Lake Haiyaha, continue towards Lake, N40 18.077 W105 39.185 — Continuing on through forest, N40 18.216 W105 39.386 — Cross creek on footbridge; trail hairpin turns west, N40 18.253 W105 39.465 — Final marked split to Lake Haiyaha, N40 18.224 W105 39.632 — Final approach through large boulder field. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail … Expect rough footing on the final .25 mile approach, especially under winter conditions. Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Information: 970.586.1206. Upon reaching Dream Lake, the trail moves up a southward slope, into the Chaos Canyon drainage, and arrives at Lake Haiyaha, located at the timberline along Chaos Creek. The glacier filled lake I think is the most immaculate lake. You will know you are getting close when the trail opens up to a boulder field where you will navigate to the beginning of Lake Haiyaha. Round trip gets 4.67 miles under your feet and, according to my Garmin … 7 1. Hallet Peak (12,713') and Otis Peak (12,486') stand over Lake Haiyaha on the Continental Divide; the glacier between them carved out this canyon millennia ago, churning and depositing boulders throughout the basin: The Loch Vale Trail rises steadily through young aspen and mixed pine to Alberta Falls (.85 miles : 9,423'). From Emerald Lake, retrace your steps back down to the Lake Haiyaha and Dream Lake junction and follow the trail to the right towards Lake Haiyaha. Once you reach Lake Haiyaha prepare yourself for breathtaking scenery. Eventually, the ‘social’ trails will reconvene into a single well-defined trail that traverses around the slope above a small cliff band. Less trafficked than emerald lake, I visited it a year ago. As you reach Haiyaha Lake, you will notice that the shoreline is quite rugged. The Glacier Gorge Trailhead is located on the left side of the road and has limited parking. This lake was one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen and the setting is idyllic. Beautiful lake. Directions: Bear Lake is located at the end of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike up to Lake Haiyaha shares a trail with that of Nymph, Dream, + Emerald Lakes, only splitting to the left a mere 100 yards from Dream Lake. I couldn't ask for more. 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