Trailblazers ready to start hiking. [photo by Lin]

Vicki, Anna, Gray, Ron, Felix, Laurie, Mohammed, Carol, Mona, Jane, Edith, Neil, Nicole, Robdney, Sonny, Lin.

By Hong L, Arizona Trail Blazers hiking club completed the hike of Bear Lake to Emerald Lake & Lake Haiyaha on 8/27/2025 at the Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Our club set out from the Bear Lake Trailhead which requires time entry reservation for bear lake parking. This hiking trail is a classic alpine route with five lakes: Nymph, Dream, Emerald, Haiyaha, and Bear.

Group photo for Happy five - Mike, Robyn Hong Li, Jeff, Gene. [photo by Robyn]

Happy five - Mike, Robyn Hong Li, Jeff, Gene. [photo by Robyn]

Crossing the bridge. [photo by Robyn]

Total distance of this hike is approximately 6 miles round trip with total elevation gain about 1085 ft. The highest point of this hike is Emerald Lake with elevation of 10,110 ft. It took about 5 hours with breaks to complete this hike. Each lake has its own unique features: serene lily pads at Nymph Lake, the iconic reflections of Dream Lake, and the emerald-green waters beneath Hallett Peak at Emerald Lake. A side trip to Lake Haiyaha offered striking turquoise waters and dramatic boulder fields. Haiyaha is named after the Arapaho word for "rock" or "big rocks". Bear Lake provides calm reflections of the surrounding peaks. This hike is considered moderately difficult.

Mike is in lead. [photo by Robyn]

Is it raining. [photo by Robyn]

Beautiful Lake. [photo by Lin]

Reflection. [photo by Lin]

Is it beautiful? [photo by Lin]

Grey is taking a picture with the oldest tree in the park. [photo by Lin]

Robyn is posting with this unique tree, [photo by Lin]

Jane and the oldest tree, [photo by Lin]