Dream Lake Winter
DREAM LAKE WINTER
Rocky Mountain National Park
Image by Rick Berk @ www.rickberk.com
Dream Lake is the quintessential alpine lake in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake, situated just below the towering monolith of Hallett Peak, is an iconic spot accessible year round. The hike is a little more difficult in the winter, especially after a fresh snow, but it’s stunningly beautiful.
Photos and location summary by Rick Berk
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
This trail is a big variable in the winter. When there’s fresh snow, I would rate the trail as Challenging. My first hike up to Dream Lake was immediately after a fresh snowfall, and while there was about 6-8 inches of fresh snow at the trailhead, it became almost two feet of snow just before reaching the lake. A part of the trail that hugs the mountainside was completely obscured. I opted to turn back as it would have meant a long slide down back toward Nymph Lake, and would have been extremely difficult to get back to the trail. When we visited a couple of days later, we could see where other hikers had missed the trail and fallen.
However, once the trail has been packed down a bit, it becomes much easier and I would rate it as moderate. After fresh snow, snow shoes are recommended, and once that snow is packed down, I recommend microspikes to assist with footing. Headlamps are also useful, as for sunrise you’ll be hiking up in the dark and at sunset, coming down in the dark.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
9,955 Ft. Elevation
Downloads
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Photography Tips
This location is good both at sunrise and sunset. At sunrise, the sun comes up behind you and if you’re early enough, alpenglow will light up the peaks. At sunset, the sun sets behind Hallett Peak. Wide angle lenses and telephotos will both be at home here, as you can capture the entire scene as well as zoom in tight on details when you prefer.
The lake freezes from October thru early spring. You’ll want to ensure the ice thickness before venturing out. When I was there in mid-January, the ice looked to be at least two feet thick. This gives you the opportunity to work the frozen ice ripples, or the rocks that are prevalent on the south side of the lake for use as a foreground.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Bear Lake Comfort Station in Rocky Mountain NP
From Estes Park - drive on US36 drive south toward Rocky Mountain NP until you reach the left turn on Bear Lake Road. Travel on Bear Lake Rd for 9.4 miles until you get to the Bear Lake Comfort Station.
Follow the trail to Dream Lake.
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 50mm
Exposure – 60th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – January 17th
Time – 6:38am
Other Images From This Location
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Sunrise, Early morning, Sunset
You’ll want to ensure you get there early if you hope to get alpenglow. The lead image in this entry was taken a full half hour before sunrise.
Best Time of Year
Anytime
I specifically wanted this location in winter, to get snow covered peaks and trees, but it should be spectacular at all times of year as long as you catch it at the right time of day. Winter adds an element of difficulty, for sure, but twice I arrived at the lake and managed to spend a good amount of time with no one around but me and my photo partner. This is a heavily visited location at other times of year and may be more difficult to get an image not filled with people.
The above image was taken on January 17th
Lens(es) Needed
Wide angle, standard midrange zoom, and telephoto. A macro lens is also helpful for making images of the bubbles and cracks in the ice.
16-35mm at 16mm
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Once you have paid for the admission into Rocky Mountain National Park, there are no permits required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is west around 250°.
Equipment Needed
To get there in winter, you'll need snow shoes, hiking poles, and micro spikes.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
In the winter, maybe one or two.
Weather
Cell Service
There is no cell service at this location.
Area Guides and Workshops
Rick Berk (25 years as a landscape photographer) - offers private group, 1 on 1 and group workshops (BlueHour Photo Ventures) for the Maine and other northeast US area. Rick lives Freeport, Maine and has traveled and photographed the NE for most of his adult life. His outstanding work can be found at www.rickberk.com