Flattop Mountain – Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park

Flattop Mountain is a beautiful mountain located near Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It features gradual, but strenuous gains, stunning views, and is a fantastic year round hike.

Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 8.9 Miles Round Trip (14.32 km)
Elevation: 12,324 Feet (3,756 M)
Duration: About 6 Hours
Elevation Gain: 2,850 Feet (868.7 M)

Trail Maps

Trails

 

Flattop Mountain Trail

The flattop mountain trail is the main trail to hike to the summit of Flattop Mountain. There are a couple variations that are common for hikers to take. The most common of which begins at Bear Lake.

Bear Lake Trail to Flattop Mountain – 8.9 Miles Round Trip – 12,324 feet of elevation gain

This route begins at the end of Bear Lake Road, an extremely popular area in Rocky Mountain National Park. During peak season, it is recommended to take the park’s shuttle to the trailhead. This trail begins along the bear lake trail encircling the lake where hikers will quickly bear right towards the Flattop Mountain trail and Lake Bierstadt.

.5 miles after that right turn, hikers reach a junction in which they need to turn a hard left towards the Flattop Mountain Trail. A right turn will lead hikers towards Bierstadt lake (an alternate route up Flattop Mountain).

Once turning left, the trail begins to get gorgeous views of Bear Lake, Longs Peak, and much more. 1.7 miles into the hike (at around 10,500 feet), there is an overlook of Dream Lake. Treeline is reached around 2.4 miles into the hike.

At mile three, hikers will reach the Emerald Lake Overlook, which is one of the most stunning viewpoints of the hike. The viewpoint sits roughly 1,200 feet above the lake, and features views of Hallett Peak, the lake down below, and a look at some steep incline soon to come.

The rest of this hike is stunning at all moments with views in nearly all directions. The summit of Flattop Mountain (unmarked) is located at the trail junction 4.45 miles into the hike. Hikers have the choice to continue on to Hallett Peak with an additional .7 miles and about 400 feet of elevation gain as seen on the trail map.

Bierstadt Lake Trail – 13.8 Miles Round Trip

This trail begins at the Bierstadt Lake parking area. Hikers will ascend the Bierstadt Morraine to Lake Bierstadt in 1.2 miles, and then turn left towards Flattop Mountain. This option ads a bit of distance to the overall hike as well as elevation gain. This is a great option for those looking to add a little difficulty, or test out a new route, though much of the hike is the same.

 

Hiking In Winter

Flattop is a great winter hiking option due to its popularity, gradual incline, and stunning views. Microspikes or snowshoes are essential in most winter situations, with snowshoes being necessary dependent on snow conditions. The normal winter hiking precautions and gear should be taken.

 

Directions & Parking

During peak season, hikers should use the park shuttle. Information on the shuttle can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle_bus_route.htm

To Bear Lake Parking Area:

To Bierstadt Lake Parking Area:

Current Weather Conditions

Grand Lake, CO

Overnight
Blowing snow and a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 9, with temperatures rising to around 11 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind 23 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday
Areas of blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers before noon, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow. Partly sunny. High near 21, with temperatures falling to around 19 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -12. West southwest wind 22 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Snow and areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 16, with temperatures rising to around 21 overnight. Wind chill values as low as -2. Southwest wind 18 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Wednesday
Snow and areas of blowing snow before noon, then snow and blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 25. Wind chill values as low as 0. Southwest wind 21 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 56 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Wednesday Night
A chance of snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. West southwest wind 28 to 37 mph, with gusts as high as 59 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

Thursday
Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

Thursday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

 

Additional Pictures