This section of steep trail is not well defined and is more of a ‘social’ trail finding the path of least resistance. The trail climbs steeply up the north aspect of the mountain slope. There is a fee to enter the park through this entrance. In between the two magnificent mountains is the Chaos Canyon. Trip Reports 5. Warning: number_format() expects parameter 1 to be float, string given in /var/www/10Adventures/version/1608335827/wp-content/themes/adventures/functions.php on line 1361. 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. Additional parking and alternative access can be found at the Bear Lake Trailhead. 8 4. 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. Both paths reconnect and continue towards Lake Haiyaha. The trail to Haiyaha Lake is one of the most popular trails in the state if not all of the National Parks. Once on the south-facing side of the mountain, you have been wrapping around, you will encounter a snowfield with a steep drop off. 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. Directions to Trailhead. After hiking for about a 1.6km, the trail will split. The view of Lake Haiyaha and the surrounding mountain peaks is simply breathtaking. 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. The trail climbs steeply up the north aspect of the mountain slope. 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. Bear left and ascend the trail up a steep spruce- and fir-covered mountainside to Haiyaha Lake. As you wrap around the mountain, Longs Peak will become visible off in the distance. This loop hike visits Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha, as well as Alberta Falls. To get back to the Bear Lake trailhead, return the way you came by retracing your steps. For 0.9 miles we gain about 325 feet in altitude, most of that gain being in the first half. Add 0.1 miles to trail distance. Comments. The trail begins alongside Bear Lake and climbs westward towards Tyndall Gorge, passing Nymph Lake along the way. Even though it is a mere 0.6 miles in length and does not gain any notable altitude, views of Hallet and Longs Peak abound, and early birds are especially privileged to enjoy breathtaking reflections of these jagged behemoth mountains reflected in the morning calm of the subalpine lake. Note: It is extremely important not to feed, approach, or disturb wildlife within the park. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. Elev. Lake Haiyaha Trail is a 1.06 mile one way hike with 451 feet accumulated elevation gain. The trail begins alongside Bear Lake and ascends westward towards Tyndall Gorge, passing Nymph Lake along the way. 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. Follow the sign with directions to Lake Haiyaha at the foot of Dream Lake. The hike is hard but worth it! Trail Photos The Glacier Gorge Trailhead is located 8.4 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on Bear Lake Road. Haiyaha is an indigenous Indian word meaning 'rock', which aptly describes this secluded, boulder-riddled lake setting in lower Chaos Canyon. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail … Along the way hikers will pass several stunning lakes, including Bear Lake and Nymph Lake. The river shows the massive damage caused by a dam failure in 1982 that claimed the lives of three campers. Lake Haiyaha is quite a steep trail but well worth the amazing alpine lake nestled into a panoramic mountain cirque! Round trip gets 4.67 miles under your feet and, according to my Garmin … 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. 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 a beautiful alpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, but lacks the crowds of nearby Dream and Emerald lakes. The northeast corner provides the most direct views up Chaos Canyon. 1. List and Waypoints on the Alberta Falls – Lake Haiyaha Loop Hike. 8 3. 3. 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. 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. After hiking 2.4km, you’ll reach the Mills Lake intersection. The trail is shorter, has less elevation gain and is fully maintained. Worth the effort. 7 1. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! After hiking for about a 1.6km, the trail will split. Once you reach Lake Haiyaha prepare yourself for breathtaking scenery. As you reach Haiyaha Lake, you will notice that the shoreline is quite rugged. The trail is roughly 4 miles round trip up pretty easy terrain. 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 5 backcountry sites along the trail before the Lake. The trail loops out and around into the Chaos Creek drainage. You can either follow the tracks through the snowfield or you can follow an alternative track that heads straight up the mountainside, avoiding the snowfield all together. Camping is allowed in the backcountry, permits are required and can be obtained at the NP Visitors Center. 0.5 miles. The trail from Bear Lake Trailhead to Emerald Lake is quite popular. August and June are the best After continuing on the trail for approximately another .5 mile, hikers will reach a trail split. Lake Haiyaha has some good fishing and just above the lake … This will add an additional 1 mile roundtrip to the hike. 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. From Steve Schweitzer's A Fly Fishing Guide To Rocky Mountain National Park, flyfishingrmnp.com: Lake Haiyaha is only one of two lakes in the Park that have Yellowstone cutthroat. The mountains that create the backdrop are the beginnings of Chaos Creek. Lake Haiyaha's (3.45 miles : 10,221') shore is guarded by large boulders and talus, requiring nimble feet and minor scrambling to move about. Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha and Alberta Falls Loop Trail map, courtesy of the National Park Service The trailhead starts from the western end of the parking lot. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Information: 970.586.1206. 6 5. There are some rocks on the path and some really awesome overlooks along the way. Look for summer raspberries amid the boulders. From the junction, the trail takes us south and we flank Hallet Peak. Directions: Bear Lake is located at the end of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail gradually climbs until Alberta falls, which you’ll reach after 1.2km. At this point, follow the marked unimproved trail leading north to Lake Haiyaha. We prefer hiking it clockwise with the following waypoints. 0 2. Looking across Chaos Canyon Hallett Peak soars upwards. 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). From the Bear Lake Trailhead, hikers will reach Nymph Lake at .5 mile in. About 0.1 miles past this is the junction with the Lake Haiyaha Trail (right) and the trail leading down towards Glacier Gorge (left). Lake Haiyaha is accessed from the Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. 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. 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 The snow made everything looked so fluffy. Trail Description: The hike to Lake Haiyaha in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. The trail to Lake Haiyaha begins at the Bear Lake parking lot and follows the trail to Dream Lake. See the Dream Lake trail description for details. At 12,486 ft., Otis Peak dominates the skyline. From Estes Park, take highway 36 west and enter RMNP at the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Lake Haiyaha, Colorado is an epic hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Expect rough footing on the final .25 mile approach, especially under winter conditions. This trail is breath taking and worth every mile. 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'). Once there, the trail moves up a southward slope into the Chaos Canyon drainage and arrives at Lake Haiyaha, located at timberline along Chaos Creek. It’s truly an amazing sight. Less trafficked than emerald lake, I visited it a year ago.