Lake Haiyaha

Lake Haiyaha is an alpine glacial lake inside Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer County, Colorado, reached by a moderate 4.2-mile round-trip hike from the Bear Lake trailhead. Sitting at roughly 10,220 feet elevation, the lake gained widespread attention after a 2022 landslide deposited glacial flour into the water, turning it a vivid turquoise blue-green reminiscent of Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. That striking color, combined with the dramatic boulder field surrounding the shoreline, makes Lake Haiyaha one of the most photographed destinations in RMNP.

Hiking to Lake Haiyaha begins at the heavily trafficked Bear Lake parking area. The first half of the trail follows the popular Nymph Lake and Dream Lake corridor, passing both lakes before a signed junction where the Haiyaha spur branches left. From the junction, the trail climbs steadily through pine forest with approximately 900 feet of total elevation gain. The final approach involves scrambling over car-sized granite boulders, requiring good balance and sturdy footwear with solid traction. Hiking poles help on the rocky terrain. The lake has no flat shoreline, so visitors perch on boulders to rest, eat, and take photographs.

The trail is family-accessible with preparation. Reviewers report completing it with children as young as four years old, though the boulder scramble at the end requires extra caution with small children or anyone with limited mobility. The route can be extended by adding Emerald Lake, which tacks on roughly 1.5 additional miles. An alternate return via the Glacier Gorge trail and Alberta Falls adds variety and an extra workout.

Seasonal conditions shape the experience significantly. Summer brings crowds, mosquitoes, and the turquoise water color at its most vivid on sunny days. Bug spray is essential during summer months. Fall and early winter offer quieter trails and the possibility of snow, which one reviewer found beautiful but cold. In winter, the lake freezes solid, and visitors report ice skating on the surface as well as snowshoeing along the trail. Wind at the lake is common and can be intense, so layered clothing and a jacket are necessary regardless of season.

A timed entry reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park is required during summer, typically between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Reservations cost two dollars each. Arriving before 5 a.m. allows entry without a reservation and secures parking at the Bear Lake lot, which fills completely by mid-morning. A free park shuttle runs from a lower lot to Bear Lake when the parking area is full. Potable water is available at the Bear Lake trailhead.

Rock climbing and bouldering opportunities exist at and above Lake Haiyaha, with one regular visitor describing spending days bouldering in the area. The water is ice cold even in July, but some visitors wade in or take a quick plunge. Fish activity has been observed in the lake. The trail passes multiple viewpoints of Longs Peak, and the section between Dream Lake and Haiyaha offers some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the park.