Hiking – Pinewood Reservoir/Ramsay-Shockey Open Space

This beautiful hike to Emerald Lake in RMNP allows you to enjoy three gorgeous subalpine lakes along a very pretty 3.6 mile, 700' gain out and back trail.  From Bear Lake, the trail passes Nymph Lake before ascending along Tyndall Creek with amazing views to beautiful subalpine Dream Lake.  The hike continues another 2/3 mile up the gorge 200' to Emerald Lake, at the foot of Tyndall Glacier, Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak.  This is a great place to enjoy our lunch and the spectacular view.  We will return to Dream Lake, then Nymph Lake, and back to the Bear Lake shuttle lot before returning to the visitor's center.  [There is a small chance that the Bear Lake shuttle lot will be full or timed entry permits are not available.  If so, a Plan B hike nearby is planned.]

ALTERNATE location:   Due to inclement weather, we changed the hike to the Pinewood Reservoir/Ramsay-Shockey Open Space 5.3 mile trail, with a 574' gain.  We enjoyed a nice hike along the west side of the open space, with a stop for lunch at a high point.

There are 2 meeting locations, depending upon where you come from:  1) JAX parking lot (SE edge), 2665 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland at 6:30 a.m., OR 2) Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, 1000 U.S. Hwy. 36, (west end of lot) at 7:30 a.m.  From here, we will carpool to the Bear Lake shuttle parking lot in RMNP.   PLEASE let Anita Wright know in advance which meeting location you will be at (call, text or email) 970-222-5920 or adwright2001@yahoo.com.

ALTERNATE Location:  Due to inclement weather, we changed the hike to the Pinewood Reservoir/Ramsay-Shockey Open Space 5.3 mile trail.