FOUR LAKES LOOP | Complete Trail Guide | Rocky Mountain National Park

This is an adaptation of the popular Four lakes Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park. This loop is 6.5 miles long and begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead. I actually visit 5 lakes in this hike; Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, and Mills Lake. This hike ends at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and I use the shuttle to get back to Bear Lake.
GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
amzn.to/33xwMQ4
FeiyuTech G6 Hand Grip Gimbal 3-Axis Stabilizer for GoPro Hero 8/Hero 7/Hero 6/Hero 5/Hero 4/SJCAM/YI 4KSport Action Camera
amzn.to/33pLV6e
Energizer HIGH TECH Fast Charging, High Capacity 10000mAh Lithium Polymer, 2 USB-A Ports, Universal Power Bank w/ LCD Digital Screen for iPhone, Samsung, and More UE10036
amzn.to/2SBTKnc
GoPro Rechargeable Battery (HERO8 Black/HERO7 Black/HERO6 Black) - Official GoPro Accessory
amzn.to/33pLp8i
Dual Battery Charger + Battery (HERO9 Black) - Official GoPro Accessory (ADDBD-001)
amzn.to/33rHM1o
SanDisk 128GB Extreme MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter - C10, U3, V30, 4K, A2, Micro SD - SDSQXA1-128G-GN6MA
amzn.to/3tv3pZy
Music By:
Anitek - Waiting World
Anitek - Transfusion
Anitek - Electic
Anitek - Moksha
Proverbs 3:6
0:00 Intro
0:45 Map Overview
1:53 Nymph Lake
2:24 Dream Lake
3:30 Emerald Lake
6:40 Lake Haiyaha
8:41 Mills Lake
9:59 Fire Trail Overview
11:06 Shuttle

[@davelotz1]

My first national park hike way back in 1961 to Emerald Lake and ever since I was hooked on national parks and hiking.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

RMNP was my first National Park as an adult and it secured my love for the National Parks...So beautiful!

[@hannah-7525]

This is a gorgeously done video. Thank you so much for the info and experience!!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lisalandry9346]

Beautiful! Added this to my list!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

This is a great option if you are headed to RMNP

[@ToddvsTodd]

Absolutely stunning! Great job buddy!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thanks man! Did you film anything on the Centennial Trail? If so can’t wait to see.

[@ToddvsTodd]

@@TheNotLostNomad Yes sir, video of the first day is up now.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Todd vs Todd , sweet I’ll check it out

[@dreamlifetravel5764]

What a beautiful video with breathtaking views..loved it..I also visited RMNP recently and made a video too...I loved this amazing place..full of natural wonders....it takes you to a different world altogether...!Regards!

[@Chandrita84]

Loving your videos - great work!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Chandrita84 , thank you! That means a lot! I’m still learning a lot about editing...I’m glad you are enjoying them!

[@chickpea9807]

Excellent video. I summitted Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak the very next week after you took this video. This took me back to a wonderful memory!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh that’s cool! That will be my first hike when I get to make it to RMNP again...I bet that was an epic day! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kelliedavis9597]

Great video! Planning a visit May 2024 before Memorial Day. Could you tell me when you visited? Noticed most people wearing warmer clothing. Just trying to gauge what type of clothes we may need to bring. Super excited for this trip. We visited RMNP in 2013 and are so ready to return!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! How exciting! RMNP is a great park! This trip was in August so it was definitely warmer than most months. For you guys going in late May…definitely expect to deal with some snow higher up on the trails. You should be fine for this hike but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sections covered in snow.

[@luisvelasco6515]

Love the video! Gonna be headed up to the park in about 2 weeks. Did you feel at all worried about climbing up? Because that pathway seemed a bit narrow lol

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! And no it really wasn’t too challenging until getting close to Lake Haiyaha. If you are concerned about the trail I’d suggest turning around at Emerald Lake and take the same trail back. It’s a great hike!

[@matttomey3378]

Love the video! Do you know if this is specifically mapped out somewhere like AllTrails?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! I pulled it up on AllTrails and it has the whole loop minus Mills Lake...it’s easy Mills Lake it the Loch (Loch Vale Lake) to the loop. It’s super easy to navigate this part of the park so you shouldn’t have any issues getting around.

[@naomiraczkovi322]

So do you recommend parking at Glacier Gorge trailhead or Bear Lake trailhead? Also, are tennis shoes acceptable for this hike? Love the video!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you!I ’d recommend getting there as early as possible…park at Bear lake. Try to beat the crowds. Plus I’m not sure the shuttles run that early in the morning. It’s easy to catch the shuttle by the time you come out to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. And as for shoes… regular shoes will do ok…but traction tends to be better with something that’s made for the trail. Enjoy the hike!

[@garyday5299]

Great narration and photography, without all the dreamy theatrics of some, and without all the food prep footage. This and your other one from Bear Lake (the one lake is pronounced Hi-ya-ha, I think) seems like "regular guy hiking." Can I inquire what camera equipment you use, and what editing software?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Hey thanks! That’s my goal with these videos...to have enough theatrics to be interesting but still show you what it’s actually like. I keep it simple with my equipment...just a GoPro Hero 5 with a gimbal for stabilization...(GoPro FOV is set to linear to get rid of the wide angle look) And as for editing I use the free version of Davinci Resolve...it’s complicated at first but after a few KZbin tutorials it’s a great option for editing. Thank you for watching!

[@damaezab]

Hi, Beautiful video! Is this open in March ir early April? How long did it take to complete the loop?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! So the trail may be open but I'd expect quite a bit of snow up on the higher parts around the higher lakes. you may be fine though since this is such a popular area...the snow may be packed down enough to make it to the first few lakes at least.

[@susandouangmichit8576]

This is beautiful! How far is the drive from Denver Co and approximately how long is the hike? Thank-you :)

[@TheNotLostNomad]

So it’s just a couple hours from Denver and it’s typically 6.8 miles but I added about a mile extra to check out Mills Lake. It’s a great hike!

[@kakashi_senseisan3931]

"the chemicals in the mushrooms will offer us another tool by which we can explore the mechanisms....."............ gonna be testing this hypothesis this summer!! Also gonna be my first time.... EVER to a national park

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh wow...first park ever?! thats great! The timing of that audio track worked out by accident but definitely adds to the scene right? I don't advocate for doing shrooms though...Not a good idea to cross over into the spiritual world without being covered by the blood...

[@kakashi_senseisan3931]

@@TheNotLostNomad yuppp first time and first park! Can i ask you what month you went?? deciding to go in august but cant decide first week of august or the last week of july.. your footage looks insane

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@kakashi_senseisan3931 thank you! this was the first week of august...the weather was perfect! You’d be fine late July as well though. You’ll fall in love with the park.

[@kakashi_senseisan3931]

@@TheNotLostNomad sounds good man i hear ya!! Def gonna go in august now. Maybe i'll see you there this summer haha

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@kakashi_senseisan3931 , I’m going to try to make it up there...I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully so!

[@JerryArizona]

Awesome area. I need to add it to the list. And I have no idea how you can talk around that many people. I just can't do it.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Jerry Arizona , haha yep it can be uncomfortable for sure...I just tell myself that I’ll never see these people again. This was definitely a busy trail...for the first half at least. I needed something scenic and shorter...the previous two days had wiped me out. Plus I was worried about climbing Longs Peak the next day. Looking back on this video I look pretty rough!

[@pablol5472]

Somebody told me this hike is better apreciated in the reverse direction, would you agree?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

You know it's hard to say...I really liked this path, I knew it was going to be busy at the lower lakes so I wanted to beat most of the crowds...and then by the time I made it up to Mills Lake there were only a few people. I think if it were done in reverse you'd definitely see more people.

[@benjaminpaynter7550]

What time of year was this? I may have missed it in the video.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

This was back in the first week in August...just before the fires got bad.

[@garyday5299]

How did you add the colored trail marker lines on the Google Earth map?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

I did all of that through Google Earth...using the tools in projects. It's really cool...you can do an entire presentation with Google Earth....super helpful. Give it a try, and I believe there are tutorials to help you figure it out.

[@rayngrace]

Bro, your video is buttery smooth. What kind of equipment you're using. Can I take 70yo Mom on this trail with her Grandkids? Not sure how good her hips and knees. Also Bro, you're not fat. You're just husky. Have an awesome day

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Hey thanks man! I just use a GoPro Hero 5 Black with a Feiyu Tech G6 gimbal. And I’d say they’d be fine on the trail up to Emerald lake...then maybe turn back and head back down the same trail. Everything past Emerald lake gets more difficult.

[@rayngrace]

@@TheNotLostNomad much appreciated the guidance. I used Google Map Walk feature and shared it with them. Hopefully it's she can do it, so it's extra memorable. Again, Thank you for sharing your video. Happy Adventures

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@rayngrace , you bet! Hope you guys have a great trip!

[@donbosco915]

Do I need a bear spray for this loop just to be safe?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

It’s up to you and your comfort level. There was lots of evidence of bears at Lake Helene. If you don’t have bear spray I’d suggest making plenty of noise just so you don’t surprise any of the wildlife. I’d do it without bear spray but that’s just me...

[@donbosco915]

@@TheNotLostNomad Thanks. I was expecting a lot of people on this trail but I dont see many in your video. Which is why the question. Going there on Sunday.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Don Bosco , you will love this trail! It will probably be very empty until you reach Odessa Lake. From there I started to come across more people...it’s an amazing hike though!

[@donbosco915]

@@TheNotLostNomad Looking forward to it. Thanks.

[@brianl4310]

This is BEAUTIFUL but ... It is not hiking this is a walk that trail is to smooth and maintained to be a {HIKE } This is more of a stroll through the park

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Agreed...until you head uphill to Lake Hayaiyaha and then cross over to Mills lake... it’s actually a great hike once you get further into the trail