The Best Beginner Snowshoe Hike | Rocky Mountain National Park

Описание: Looking for a great place for snowshoeing in RMNP? I highly recommend giving the Emerald Lake trail a try! This moderately difficult trail starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead and connects Nymph Lake (0.5 miles), Dream Lake (1.1 miles), and Emerald Lake (1.8 miles). Each one of these lakes has amazing views, so even if you only go to one lake, it's worth it. Looking for more? Lake Haiyaha, Alberta Falls, and Glacier Gorge can also be accessed from this trailhead, so many options!

This video was recorded on December 3, 2023 during a winter storm, so it's not going to have great views of the peaks in the background, but it will give you an idea of what to expect in adverse weather conditions. Always let someone know your travel plans!

Safety notes:
This hike is much different in a winter storm than on a sunny winter day. Route finding can become difficult as the wind covers up your tracks and visibility blocks your usual reference points. Bring a map and download the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) App and download the maps to your phone for offline use. Phone signal is very spotty along most of the trail. Consider carrying a satellite communicator such as a Garmin inReach, especially if you travel solo.

Be cautious about crossing frozen lakes in the early season! I avoided them on this hike.
Be aware of avalanche danger! The trail to Emerald Lake is not very risky, but there is often high avalanche danger on the slopes around Emerald Lake.

Directions to Trailhead:
Take Bear Lake Road to the Bear Lake Trailhead. Parking at the trailhead could fill up, so it's good to get an early start.

Colorado Vehicle Traction Law:
If the weather is snowy and the Colorado Vehicle Traction Law is active in RMNP, it means that all vehicles (including 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, and 2-Wheel Drive) must have properly rated tires (Mud and Snow, Mountain and Snow or All-Weather Tires) with a minimum of 3/16" (6/32") of tread. Park rangers might measure your tire tread depth at the park entrance and turn you back out of the park, I have seen them do this. Also know this law applies to the whole state if you are planning on other winter travel in Colorado. It's often active along I-70 from Denver to Vail in the winter.

0:00 - Intro and Winter Driving Tips
0:55 - Hiking Gear
2:27 - Nymph Lake
4:32 - Dream Lake
6:00 - Emerald Lake

Distance: 3.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 744 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions:
Winter Storm Warning, overcast, snow, high winds, temperature around 20 degrees.

Camera equipment used:
GoPro HERO8 Black (4K30 Wide FOV)
Captured with the flat color profile, color graded in DaVinci Resolve

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/the-lakes/bluebird
License code: TSEC6S1UGLZKOEXV

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/augustine/mornin...
License code: ZSXRXTG3PLO4B9JU

#bearlake #nymphlake #dreamlake #emeraldlake #rmnp