Colorado Hikes near Denver: Nymph Lake, Lake Haiyaha Loop via Fire Trail (RMNP)
Living in Denver, Colorado, offers many perks, including great hiking trails within 18-30 minutes. On the other hand, hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park are about two hours away and require advancing planning (e.g., a day or annual pass and a timed entry reservation). The drive and extra efforts are undoubtedly worth it, though! The hikes give you access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Colorado (and new fitness challenges). Here’s the first of a series of Rocky Mountain National Park hikes I’ve recently recommended to my personal training clients in Denver.
Always time for a stretch after a steep climb in Rocky Mountain National Park with your Denver Personal Trainer!
Time of Year: Late June.
Weather: 55 degrees and sunny at 9:48 am, cloud cover for most of the hike until 1:15.
Cover: 75% covered.
Time: 9:48 am - 1:15 pm.
Distance: 5.5 Miles total (Loop: Nymph Lake Trail to Haiyaha Cutoff Trail (out and back to Lake Haiyaha) to Fire Trail to Glacier Gorge Trail to the Bear Lake parking lot.
Traffic: High until we reached Lake Haiyaha (low).
Parking: Tons of parking....but no spots (except one lucky spot that opened). The shuttle halfway may be the only option (there were lines by 9:15).
Equipment: Hiking boots.
Terrain: Well-marked trail with plenty of rocks to step on and plenty of beautiful views until Lake Haiyaha. We didn't take the turnoff to Dream Lake. Big boulders to climb around Lake Haiyaha. Mostly a covered decline from there via Fire Trail.
Difficulty: Moderate (decent cardio baseline for the initial incline to 10k).
Denver Personal Trainer Notes: There are plenty of opportunities to strengthen your foot and ankle without too much instability. There are many connecting hikes to extend your mileage or to provide additional climbs to a peak. The initial incline will undoubtedly increase your heart rate, and you can take a branch of a trail heading west after Lake Haiyaha to vary the descent (instead of Fire Trail).
Walking over the battlefield of boulders (not technical) to find this spot in the fog was well worth it! Hard to find such a landscape within 20 minutes of Denver.
Working on your cardio endurance next to these hidden pockets off the Rocky Mountain National Park hiking trail to Lake Haiyaha always complements the Denver personal training studio!
Full view of Rocky Mountain National Park and your future climbs!
Climbing 1000 feet to a view like this makes every step worthwhile. I love cities like Denver, but peaceful peaks bring just as much joy! I recommend that all of my personal training clients in LoHi take a day trip for this effort.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER
As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.
Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).
If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!
