The Spirit of the Rockies www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Flattop Mountain

The hike to the top of Flattop Mountain is a very popular trail beginning at Bear Lake. The trail crosses the Continental Divide, providing good trail access to the western side of the park for backpackers. This trail is also popular with day hikers because of the easy trailhead access, and panoramic views along the entire trail.

Distance: 4.4 miles one-way Summit elevation: 12,324 feet Trailhead elevation: 9,475 feet Net elevation gain: 2,849 feet Bear Lake Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

View of Mummy Range from Flattop Mountain

Major Trail Landmarks Bear Lake (Short walk from parking lot) Junction of Flattop Mountain and Odessa Lake Trails (0.8 miles one-way from trailhead)

Principal Destinations Near Flattop Mountain Hallett Peak (5.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route beyond Flattop Mountain Otis Peak (6.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route beyond Flattop Mountain Taylor Peak (7.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via unmaintained route beyond Flattop Mountain

Backcountry Campsites Near Flattop Mountain There are no campsites near Flattop Mountain when approaching from Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a popular area on the east side of the Continental Divide. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on U.S. Highway 36, head west about 0.2 miles and turn south on Bear Lake Road (toward Moraine Park). Follow Bear Lake Road a little over 9 miles to the large parking area where Bear Lake Road ends. Bear Lake is just west of the parking lot. The Emerald Lake trail begins southeast of the lake; the Flattop Mountain trail begins on the east side of the lake. The route to Flattop Mountain begins along the Bear Lake lakeshore trail. Follow the Flattop Mountain Trail from the east side of Bear Lake, and ascend Flattop Mountain on the 4.4 mile trail.

Sample photographs of the hike to Flattop Mountain

Longs Peak from Flattop Mountain Trail

Tyndall Gorge south of Flattop Mountain

Flattop Mountain topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line. Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws. Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.