Gem lake isn't exactly a 5 star destination in the winter, but the hike itself is amazing. Snowshoes not needed. Gorgeous views of the mountains and a wedding!!! Friday Wow, Friday was a crazy last minute hike. Easy trip around the lake, 11/11/2022 Rocky Mountain National Park Trails by Location Below is a directory of Rocky Mountain National Park trails that have been grouped by general location within the park, such as trails near Estes Park, Bear Lake, Glacier Gorge, Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake, Longs Peak or Wild Basin. Follow a well-kept and non-challenging walking trail around the lake's edge to appreciate the magnificent mountain vistas. Shoe spikes and trekking pools were good to have. The day started off though with a group of deer keeping me company while I smoke my morning cigarette. You wont find major grocery stores here, although you can drive 25 minutes to Granby and shop at the enormous City Market. well worth it and a fantastic experience. Sprague is one of my favorite lakes in the park. Address 12928 E Mansfield Ave Suite 3, Spokane Valley 99216. Floor plans are artist's rendering. Its a pleasant enough walk but I guess the app assumes youre going to walk to Sprague Lake and then walk back to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead I misunderstood and thought it was a one way hike. It was pretty easy on the loop around. There was some ice along the edges, pretty cool to see. any weapon foil epee saber. On the western side of the park, you can explore the Colorado Rivers headwaters, look for moose and hike to the site of Lulu City, a former mining town, among many other things. You could be hurt or issued a fine. Ha! Easy hike. This is a very accessible and easy walk for good winter time views of Hallets peak, a frozen Sprague Lake, and the surrounding winter environs. On average it takes 20 minutes to complete this trail. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm, https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/road_status.htm. Careers Good for snow shoeing. is: contains: Last Name. Not as clear of a view due to snow showers in the higher elevations. Did this on 6/21 as my first hike on a four day camping trip to RMNP with flatlander friends. Water Source: Water is available from inlet or outlet streams of lake. And I saw no one else on trail the entire walk back. After that its almost entirely flat. It was a little over 4 miles and fairly flat. Have to pay a fee to get into the park. We wore micro spikes and that helped because there is some ice. Read about the history of the lake before visiting. Trail obviously snow covered but mostly distinguishable. Estes Park, CO 80517-8397 The elevation gain is 20 feet. ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. "there are those you can call nothing but tourists. Lot of snow. The National Park Service purchased the property in 1932, but gave the Sprague's a twenty year lease before razing the buildings in 1957. Light snow. This gorgeous, wheelchair and stroller accessible stroll is great for hikers of all abilities. Cookie Policy Only saw 4 people on the trail on a busy summer Sunday! Copyright Change). In peak months, rangers will block the road if the lot is . Packed snow and clear trails in some spots. Barely any snow or ice. A little icy in the shaded areas. Quite snowy and slick, we made it with just hiking boots but yak tracks or poles would have been helpful, Lots of snow, wouldnt not attempt without spikes and poles. - Conveniently located near Pines and 32nd Avenue, this apartment has newer carpet, flooring, trim, and painted recently. Lost & Found (Backcountry Office) 970-586-1242 The 0.5-mile trail is a loop trail that circles the lake. Ample parking; an accessible backcountry camping site is located in the area. Skip to content. Boardwalks and bridges have been built over the marshy western side of the lake to take you . Lots of people today just casually strolling or taking photos. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Episode 1 YMCA of the Rockies Bible Point Trail and Sprague Lake Trail 73 views Aug 9, 2021 Today was the first of two days off and I went for two hikes today. Still a really nice walk though! (LogOut/ You are just minutes from Greenwood & Myers Mortuary is the first choice for many families when they are seeking funeral services in Boulder. Along the way the loop trail offers several benches for visitors to kick back and enjoy the peaceful scenery. Lily Mountain Trail. Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter. Easy for all abilities. No need for snowshoes. Great way to see Alberta Falls without a park reservation. However, we took hiking poles that made us steadier as we stepped down the rocky trail. Did Sept 2019. The trail to Sprague Lake is short, but you know what that means - you'll get to witness heaps of scenic views and stunning wildlife occasionally. Gorgeous views, easy hike. It's not too slick out in the sun, but it was a bit icy in places. The Moving can be an exciting experience. Never approach or feed wildlife. Maybe a little snow and ice in places. Hikes graded A-D must have three guests, and hikes graded E-H must have two guests to go. Fat Biking and Ski Biking at Colorado Ski Areas. Parked at Storm Pass lot and headed to Sprague Lake. The property was sold to James Stead around 1900, and remained in business as the Stead's Ranch and Hotel until 1962. (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) 1956-current, January 06, 1973, Page 5, Image 5, brought to you by Chappaqua Library, and the National Digital Newspaper Program. Elevation of Sprague Lake, Colorado, USA Location: United States > Colorado > Estes Park > Longitude: -105.60423 Latitude: 40.3200876 Elevation: -10000m / -32808feet Barometric Pressure: 295KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: Not now! I was hoping to do a quick run around the trail but not practical due to the number of people. Icy around the lake. Lots of snow on the trail, didnt need snowshoes though, as well trodden. Jan 2020. Really windy & trail partially covered in snow. Bear Lake to Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail, Mills Lake, Black Lake, Frozen Lake Trail, Shelf Lake and Solitude Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail. Other posts complained about horse poop on trail but its nothing unusual. A little snowy and some ice. A different and lovely way to get to Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain Park is by using the East Portal Trailhead. is: is on or after: is on or before: Lost & Found (Backcountry Office) 970-586-1242 Turn left at the junction and drive roughly 1.9 miles to the Fern Lake Trailhead. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Nice views on a clear day. Lots of people fly fishing and paddle boarding at the lake! The side trip up Emerald Mountain made the trip hard, but the spectacular view made it absolutely worthwhile! Head out on this 1.6-mile out-and-back trail near Estes Park, Colorado. Rocky Mountain National Park charges a fee to enter. Bear lake was still frozen, but Alberta falls was beautiful! At an elevation of 8,690 feet within Rocky Mountain National Park, you'll find the beautiful Sprague Lake Trail. Some slippery slopes, but all manageable. The trail is icy and pretty darn slick!***. There are no restrooms or potable water at this trailhead. The first section of this route has some steep uphill hiking, but once it. 4 beds, 2.5 baths, 2200 sq. Length: 3.2 miles. Camp Teetonkah Brought to you by Prairie Mountain Publishing, Board of Ed denies charter school application, Six candidates filed self-nomination papers for hospital board seats, UPDATED JAN. 28: Owner of Full Throttle Saloon to open boutique distillery, restaurant in Estes Park, Construction begins in March for US 36 and Community Drive roundabout, Construction begins on the Elkhorn Avenue water main replacement, Nine Reasons Not to Miss Frozen Dead Guy Days, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. There are several routes off the main trail that would require snowshoes. Top ways to experience Sprague Lake and nearby attractions LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Tour from Denver Winter and Spring 124 Recommended Bus Tours from AU$224.30 per adult Rocky Mountain National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour 3 Adventure Tours from AU$24.19 per group (up to 4) This page shows the sunrise and sunset times in Sprague Lake, Colorado, USA, including beautiful sunrise or sunset photos, local current time, timezone, longitude, latitude and live map. It also happens to be one of the most scenic hikes in Colorado. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. So many beautiful colors. Lake is great to walk on though! Elevation gain: N/A. This is the final phase of this beautifu. Took the shuttle up to Bear Lake (with transfer at the Park & Ride) and hiked down from there to Sprague Lake. Get a free Colorado national park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. We wore micro spikes and that helped because there is some ice. This 6.3-mile moderate hike takes you up a series of switchbacks on a rocky and sandy trail on the side of Emerald Mountain. There was a bull elk with two females on the trail, and also a deer, so solo hikers be aware. Website ymcaspokane.org. From marketing exposure to actionable data Campground Reservations 877-444-6777 Those that go tearing from coast to coast and back again on their vacations are tourists. MLS# 1487270. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. However, in 1910, seeking "to prevent my homesickness for Estes Park and the mountains from becoming chronic", Abner Sprague and his wife would build another guest lodge in the Glacier Basin area. Sprague Lake is located off Bear Lake Road, one of the most popular areas in the park for a short hike. In the winter these are especially fabulous. A wheelchair-friendly loop, the surface is packed gravel and level around the entire lake. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Getting there To get to the East Portal trailhead from the junction of US 36 and CO 66, just west of Estes Park, head 3.3 miles southwest going past the YMCA of the Rockies on CO 66 till it ends at a circular loop where there is limited parking. Actual product and specifications may vary in dimension or detail. It also is just a few minutes from Estes Parks downtown. Not all features are available in every apartment. Call for more information, 970-586-3341 ext. (LogOut/ To reach the Wild Basin Entrance from Estes Park, head south on CO 7. Definitely windy make sure to layer up and some areas of deep snow, trekking poles help with not losing balance but a lot of people hiked around without the use of poles. Nice quiet neighborhood and covered parking. At this fork in the road, take a left and head toward Sprague Lake. Kids / stroller friendly. We were greeted by groups of mother ducks and their ducklings and we watched fishermen trying their hand in the still waters which served as a mirror for the grandeur surrounding the Lake. Sprague Lake Trail is a 3,520 ft green singletrack trail located near Estes Park Colorado. While you can elope anywhere around the lake, the dock is the perfect spot to avoid having hikers in the background of your photos. Explore Community The aspen leaves are yellow to golden. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm. Privacy Settings Privacy Policy Excellent trail. Most direct from Estes Park (#1 on map) The Beaver Meadows Entrance provides quick access to Sprague Lake (pictured), Glacier Gorge and Bear Lake Deposit Photos. Snowy but tall waterproof boots will work. This one was located in the current parking area for Sprague Lake. In an Emergency, contact the park's dispatch center at 970-586-1203, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm, https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/road_status.htm. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Be careful if you go on the ice. Phone Number (509) 777-9622. For more information, please see, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. This part of the trail is incredibly quiet and the day we went, we passed only a couple of other hikers on the trail, making this particular outing particularly rewarding and relaxing. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. . Its thin in places, and the water is definitely flowing underneath. Nice views, lovely lily pond, all downhill. Want to report conditions for this trail? Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Saving grace was 5G service to get timed entry tix (if you can actually navigate the site efficiently!). Half of this route is on road unfortunately; however if you can find a spot at the trail head, the total hike is only ~2mi, it is an out and back trail. When they joined us we made our way quickly to Sprague. With benches placed strategically so you can enjoy views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak, this is a great place to stop and have a snack. We started at Sprague Lake in RMNP. Great flat trail for a quick family outing. Only went to the unnamed lake and back to Sprague. Crazy. This is a great trail for families and for those that require accessibility. Still a really nice walk though! Nice easy hike! Perfect bluebird skies, cool temps and very few people out. When they reach home from their travels they are not certain where they saw this or that", "to prevent my homesickness for Estes Park and the mountains from becoming chronic". Today Snow showers likely, mainly before noon. Last 2 Miles in spikes. Great with kids. Note: All moose photos and videos were taken from a distance using zoom. Pssst. Hikers will enjoy panoramic views of the Continental Divide, including Half Mountain, Thatchtop Mountain, Taylor Peak, Otis Peak, Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain and Notchtop Mountain. Results Search. Caught a shuttle to the park and ride where we caught another shuttle to Bear Lake. The hike around Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Sprague Lake Trailhead, located off Bear Lake Road roughly 5.5 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Mostly flat excepting the part near the East Portal and YMCA. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. A nice walk. Waterfall views are with it at the top. From this hillside, you get a great view of Estes Cone. 1000 Highway 36 The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. To learn more, visit the park's Timed Entry Permit Reservation webpage athttps://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. To meet the prerequisite for A-D hikes, you must have completed without difficulty a YMCA of the Rockies (Hikemaster-lead) hike of no more than two grades lower within two weeks before the hike. Here are a few you can expect to see: Fascinating vistas of the mountain Estes Cone; Lime green aspen trees, Christmas trees, and towering pines This means a C hike is the prerequisite for an A hike*; a D hike is a prerequisite for B hike; an E hike is a prerequisite for a C hike, and an F hike meets the requirements for D Hike. Great sunny day, but very windy. For more information, please see, Rocky Mountain National Park Little bit of snow. The cone was formed by natural erosion. Backcountry Office 970-586-1242 Gorgeous d. She was explaining to me that she had to really learn the trail from the YMCA of the Rockies to Sprague Lake, since she would be leading natue walks there. Copyright Policy On the east side of the park lies the Beaver Meadows Entrance, the most direct entrance from Estes Park, Colo.,which lies right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. She was explaining to me that she had to really learn the trail from the YMCA of the Rockies to Sprague Lake, since she would be leading natue walks Great flat trail for a quick family outing. So in all of two minutes we decided to take an evening hike off to Sprague. Very sandy for the first half. Nice views throughout. Travis and I have taken out many of the same people over the course of our short stay at the YMCA and this group was made up of several of our past hikers. Sprague Lake is only 7.0 miles from the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and 5.0 miles from the Moraine Park Discovery Center. Snowpacked for the most part, if you stay on trail. Mills Lake, Black Lake, Frozen Lake Trail, Shelf Lake and Solitude Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail, East Portal Trailhead: Wind River and Glacier Basin Loop, Sprague Lake, Glacier Creek and Storm Pass Loop, Wind River, Storm Pass, Sprague Lake, and Glacier Creek Loop, Glacier Creek, Bear Lake, Bierstadt, Switchbacks Loop, Boulder Brook, North Longs Peak Trail, and Glacier Creek Loop, Bear Lake Road to Cub Lake and Fern Lake Trail, Granite Pass and Chasm Lake via North Longs Peak and Storm Pass Loop. Nicely maintained path. All rights reserved. Toughest part was the beginning 1st 3/4 mile or so uphill.. was steadily steep and loose rock but manageable when you take it easy. We came in late October and there was just enough snow for it to be pretty to look at without being a slog to crawl through. Definitely windy make sure to layer up and some areas of deep snow, trekking poles help with not losing balance but a lot of people hiked around without the use of poles. Your Advantage member discount automatically applies at checkout. Elevation gain: 1,282 feet. A little snowy and some ice. Nice easy hike! ft. house located at 2165 Karen Pl, Redding, CA 96001 sold for $325,000 on Dec 5, 2020. it would be possible without spikes, but I found spikes very helpful. Susan and I share a passion for beaver ecology, so while at the lake we took the time to scope out the beaver habitat in the nearby wetlands. That road ends at the East. Hard packed snow and ice the whole way. Only drawback is occasional traffic noise from Bear Lake Road. Keep your distance - it's the law! software for managing & marketing your events. Sprague also undoubtedly appreciated the breathtaking views of the Continental Divide, which are best seen from this trail at the far end of the lake. Had poles and spikes for this trail to aid in some slippery surfaces along the paved walk way. Nice views on a clear day. The lake is disappointing only because of the number of people (since you can also drive there), but the views at the lake are still worth it! Walked around Christmas Day, 12/25. What you will find is an old-fashioned charm combined with recreational opportunities like relaxing at the beach, paddle boarding, paddle boating and kayaking on Grand Lake and visiting the park. If you up for the distance this is worth it. Kayaks on Sprague Lake Jennifer Probert Gem Lake The lake is named for Abner Sprague, one of the original settlers in the Estes Park area. Sprague Lake is also a great place to see wildlife, but please help keep wildlife wild. Can take the park & ride bus if there is no parking. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Located on Bear Lake Road, one mile west of the Park and Ride shuttle bus parking lot (bathrooms available). Beautiful trail on this early Tuesday morning. Snowshoed it on January 2, 2023. To reach the trailhead from Bear Lake Road, follow Moraine Park Road for a half-mile to an unmarked junction, just before reaching the Moraine Park Campground. Great workout, beautiful trees. Wonderful hike! Snow shoes were not remotely needed. Just shy of one mile in length, this easy trail is mostly flat with virtually no elevation gain, yet it features some of the most stunning views in the entire park. Maybe a little snow and ice in places. East Portal Trailhead: Wind River and Glacier Basin Loop, Sprague Lake, Glacier Creek and Storm Pass Loop, Wind River, Storm Pass, Sprague Lake, and Glacier Creek Loop, Glacier Creek, Bear Lake, Bierstadt, Switchbacks Loop, Boulder Brook, North Longs Peak Trail, and Glacier Creek Loop, Granite Pass and Chasm Lake via North Longs Peak and Storm Pass Loop. Difficulty: moderate. There are benches to sit and reflect from or watch fishermen catch. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). 100%. If driving Trail Ridge Road or Old Fall River Road is on the top of your list and you have limited time, you may want to enter the park via the Fall River Entrance on the parks east side. Distance: 0.5 miles from Sprague Lake TH Approximate Travel Time: 0.5 hours Elevation: 8,730 feet Elevation Change: 20 feet gain Privy: YES Other Facilities: 2 picnic tables, 2 storage boxes, charcoal grill and fire ring (camper must bring own firewood and charcoal). ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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