Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Dream Lake is one of the most recognizable and beautiful lakes in all of Rocky Mountain National Park! It is hard to beat it any time of year but I always love going here in the winter when the lake is frozen over and the waves of ice are formed on it. It can get very windy up there so taking a jacket is always recommended any time of the year. It's a relatively simple hike and you can take your time and rest if you are tired from the decent elevation gain along the trail. The view of Hallet Peak from the lake is one of my favorite aspects of this hike. If you feel good once you get there, you can trek a little further to Emerald Lake if you want a better view of Hallet Peak. If you only have time for one hike in Rocky Mountain then this is a great choice! Parking at Bear Lake fills up quick so make sure you go early if you want a spot!

Went up today for a bit of fresh air and to start the year off on the right foot...literally because my left foot has been a problem lately. 😒 The area had received some fresh snow but quite a few visitors has kept it pretty well packed. A lot of folks used snowshoes or Trax for traction but some had neither and seemed to get along. Stay on the trail because its pretty soft and deep in most places and will only get deeper as winter continues. The people were terrific and shared the trail gladly. Those faster hikers (in better shape) were patient with the slower hikers (in not so good shape, me) but it's a good idea to step aside and let them pass and to take turns when the comers and goers meet on a narrow trail. The scenery was fantastic and a few interesting trees caught my eye. The weather was mild for the mountains and layers are needed because you warm up hiking in the trees and then the wind blows when on the lake or in open areas. What a great start to the new year!