Emily and Coty | Dream Lake Engagement
Savannah Chandler Photography | Estes Park Engagement Photographer
Ahhhhh, Dream Lake. With it’s stunning shoreline, Hallett Peak majestically booming in the background, and some of the best sunrise light out there. Oh, and it’s only a 2.2 mile roundtrip hike! Such a short hike to have such an amazing payoff. It’s one of my favorite locations within Estes Park to tell out of state visitors to check out.
As stunning as sunrise is at Dream, to catch the amazing pink light hitting the crescent shaped mountain and spires, you have to begin hiking early in the dark. And in June, you have to start the earliest due to the sun rising so early in the morning. There may be snow in these photos, but don’t let that deceive you. THIS WAS IN JUNE, lol. The summer of 2019 was off to a cold (or more so than recent years) start. The snow lasted in high elevations through August. Just something to always be prepared for here in Crazy Colorado – it could be super frosty during any month 😬
I met Emily and Coty at the trailhead before 5am, so we could spend just under a half hour making our way up the packed down trail. We made it up to the lake just as the sun was beginning to hit the horizon. That first light will always be stunning to me, no matter how many beautiful sunrises I witness. Seeing the sun rise about the trees to meet the land is surreal.
We spend some time, along with Emily’s parents, trekking around in the snow and around the lake’s shores. This particular morning provided red light on the mountains for what seemed like forever! Once the light fully reached over the horizon, we were ready to make our way down into the valleys of Rocky Mountain National Park.
To cap off our awesome Estes Park engagement session, we made a stop at the Beaver ponds in Moraine Valley. Another favorite, and very easily accessible, location with Rocky.
Congratulations, Emily and Coty, and I wish you all the best!!
Cheers!
Check out Rocky Mountain National Park’s Website HERE