Lake Haiyaha (10,244′), Front Range
Lake Haiyaha is a secluded, boulder-riddled lake in lower Chaos Canyon. Hallett Peak (12,713′) and Otis Peak (12,486′) tower over the lake, and are situated on the Continental Divide, making for spectacular scenery. The shores of the lake are home to some of the oldest trees in Rocky Mountain National Park. The final .25 mile approach to the shore is guarded by large boulders requiring minor scrambling to reach the lake.
Haiyaha is an indigenous word that means “rock” or “lake of many rocks”, or “big rocks”, depending on the translation.
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Bear Lake
- Round trip: 4 miles / 6.4 km
- Elevation: 9,475′-10,244′ / 2,888 m – 3,122 m
- County: Larimer
- Agency: National Park Service
- Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain
Weather
GPS Route with Elevation
Trail Pictures Oct 2022
In the summer of 2022 a landslide occured in Chaos Canyon causing the water to turn from clear to a bright turquoise overnight. This makes the color of the lake unique in the area, and presently it is unknown when it will revert back to clear waters.
The lake with Hallett Peak in the background
The lake with Hallett Peak in the background
The silt from a landslide caused the lake to turn turquoise
The silt from a landslide caused the lake to turn turquoise
The color is unlike any of the other nearby lakes
The color is unlike any of the other nearby lakes
The color change is supposed to be non toxic to existing life
The color change is supposed to be non toxic to existing life
The lake is very bright in the sunlight
The lake is very bright in the sunlight
Chaos Canyon
Chaos Canyon
Lake Haiyaha
Lake Haiyaha
Trail Pictures Jan. 2017
Easy trail to Nymph Lake
Easy trail to Nymph Lake
Male elk also nearby
Male elk also nearby
White tailed deer near the coyotes
White tailed deer near the coyotes
Coyote near Nymph Lake
Coyote near Nymph Lake
Coyote stayed behind to keep eye on me
Coyote stayed behind to keep eye on me
Waiting for the pack
Waiting for the pack
Pack of Coyotes near Nymph Lake
Pack of Coyotes near Nymph Lake
Turn off for Lake Haiyaha
Turn off for Lake Haiyaha
Looking into Chaos Canyon
Looking into Chaos Canyon
Lake Haiyaha just ahead
Lake Haiyaha just ahead
First view of Chaos Canyon
First view of Chaos Canyon
View of Longs Peak and Thatchtop Mountain
View of Longs Peak and Thatchtop Mountain
Dream Lake in the morning
Dream Lake in the morning
Hallett Peak
Hallett Peak
Nymph Lake from above
Nymph Lake from above
Nymph Lake with Longs Peak in the background
Nymph Lake with Longs Peak in the background
Large crack in the ice
Large crack in the ice
View of Hallett Peak and Lake Haiyaha
View of Hallett Peak and Lake Haiyaha
Frozen Lake Haiyaha
Frozen Lake Haiyaha
Dream Lake on the way back
Dream Lake on the way back
Panorama of Lake Haiyaha
Panorama of Lake Haiyaha
Video Tour
Trail Directions
The trail begins alongside Bear Lake and climbs westward towards Tyndall Gorge, passing Nymph Lake along the way. Past Nymph Lake the trails climbs again to Dream Lake.
Once there, the trail moves up a southward slope into the Chaos Canyon drainage and arrives at Lake Haiyaha, located at timberline along Chaos Creek. The lake and Chaos Canyon are known for excellent bouldering.
Trailhead Directions