Treks, Trails, and Shutter Clicks in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Day 1: Arrive at our lodge by 5 p.m. so we can share a meal in the cafeteria and have a short meet and greet in the evening. We will then retire to our lodge so we will be refreshed for hiking the next morning.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at our lodge, we will pick-up sack lunches and carpool to the Bear Lake Nature Trail parking lot. We will need to be there no later than 9:30 a.m. to assure a parking space. We will begin with a very easy warm-up hike on the Bear Lake Nature Trail. Bear Lake offers beautiful views of Hallett Peak and Longs Peak. Dream Lake is our second hike, where we will begin just off of Bear Lake Trail. The total distance of 2.2 miles is short, but we will not be acclimated to the altitude yet. We will walk through a forest of lodgepole pines and stop to view Nymph Lake. Nymph Lake is typically decorated with colorful pond lilies. The inviting landscape includes nearby limber pines, which are perfect for those wanting to take close-up photos. We will enjoy views of Long’s Peak above Glacier Gorge as we approach Dream Lake. The scenery at Dream Lake is breathtaking. Three are crops of large boulders, which make fine seating to enjoy our sack lunches. Swimming is a possibility for those brave enough to risk the chilly water. If the group has energy to spare, it is possible that we could add another 1.5 miles to our hike to enjoy the scenery at Emerald Lake. We will spend the remainder of the afternoon at the lodge, and possibly take a short trip into Estes Park. Dinner and lodging will be at our lodge.

Day 3: Following breakfast, we will carpool to the Lumpy Ridge/Gem Lake Trailhead. We should have a clear view of the Twin Owls Peak in the Rocky Mountains on our way there. Our second day of hiking will take us to Gem Lake. The total distance is 4.6 miles, with Gem Lake at 8,830 feet elevation. We may see golden aspen trees in thick groves during the first mile of this hike. Other highlights include amazing views into Estes Valley and photographic opportunities to capture unique rock formations along the way. Dinner and lodging will be at the lodge, followed by an evening talk about conservation issues pertinent to the Rocky Mountains.

Day 4: Following breakfast, we will leave for our third hike, which will be to Bridal Veil Falls. We’ll begin at the Cow Creek Trailhead. The total distance is 6 miles, with Upper Bridal Veil Falls at 8,900 feet elevation. Sturdy footwear is imperative for this hike, so unfortunately tennis shoes won’t be sufficient. Hiking boots or shoes are required. You may wish to bring hiking poles as our last ascent has a lot of loose rock and dicey footing. Highlights of this hike are the fairytale-like beauty of the upper and lower falls. It’s possible that we will see elk, Mule Deer, and White Throated Swifts. Again, dinner will be at our lodge. If time and energy allow, we may make an evening trip to Estes Park for a movie or sightseeing.

Day 5: After breakfast, we will pack-up our belongings. We may have the opportunity to partake in a hike that is walking distance from the lodge. There are several interesting things to photograph, on and adjacent to the lodge property, including resident elk.

Days 6-8: Beginning Friday evening, we will take residence at another inn. There we will join photographer Jim Doty. Jim’s workshop and teaching experience include the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where he taught general and nature photography for seven years. Jim is an event, commercial, and landscape photographer. He has published images in books, magazines, newspapers, and brochures. Jim is the author of Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies. We will spend part-time in a classroom at the inn, and part-time outside taking pictures. Our class setting will be informal. In order to experience the most from this class, participants should have a digital SLR camera and know how to use its basic functions. A complete list of what is needed for class will be included with newsletters that are sent before our trip.

Meals for the duration of this trip will be on our own. There is a nice restaurant right next door to the inn. The trip leader will include their menu with future mailings. There are other nearby restaurants. There are also refrigerators in each room. Participants may want to eat breakfast and lunch from their rooms, and then go out for dinners. The food in Estes Park is above average. 

On Monday morning, it will be time to begin our goodbyes and pick up our beautiful photos and memories to take the shuttle or carpool back home.

Getting There

There are shuttles that go between Denver International Airport and Estes Park. The cost per person is $45 one-way or $85 round-trip. For more information, contact estesparkshuttle@aol.com or call (970) 586-5151. The Sierra Club does not endorse or recommend Estes Park Shuttle, per Club policy.

In order to save on natural resources, Sierra Club encourages participants to carpool. Once the trip is filled, the leader will send out a list of names and contact numbers for those willing to carpool.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in shared rooms at a lodge in Estes Park for the first four nights. Meals will be served in the cafeteria. The last three nights of the trip, we will stay at another inn, also in Estes Park. Meals from lunch on Friday through breakfast on Monday will be the participants' own responsibility. There are nearby stores and restaurants nearby, as well as in-room refrigerators at our hotel.

Trip Difficulty

Participants need to have aerobic conditioning sufficient to walk up to seven miles on uneven terrain at altitudes to 9,000 feet.

Equipment and Clothing

References

• Doty, Jim, Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies. 
• Dannen, Kent, Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Conservation

We will discuss issues pertinent to the Rocky Mountains at one of our evening seminars. Of course we will use Leave No Trace practices during our hikes.