Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

www.thespiritoftherockies.net

Distance: 0.5 mile loop trail Lake elevation: 9,475 feet Trailhead elevation: 9,475 feet Net elevation gain: Negligible Bear Lake Trailhead Rocky Mountain National Park

The lakeshore trail at Bear Lake is normally the most crowded trail in the park, due to the great mountain scenery and easy access from Bear Lake Road.

Bear Lake and Hallett Peak

Major Trail Landmarks Emerald Lake and Glacier Gorge Connector Trail junctions (at west end of Bear Lake parking lot) Flattop Mountain Trail (begins on northeast side of Bear Lake along the lakeshore trail)

Principal Destinations Near Bear Lake Dream Lake (1.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Emerald Lake Trail Emerald Lake (1.8 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Emerald Lake Trail Lake Haiyaha (2.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Emerald Lake Trail to Lake Haiyaha Trail Odessa Lake (4.1 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Flattop Mountain Trail to Odessa Lake Trail Flattop Mountain (4.4 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Flattop Mountain Trail Hallett Peak (5.0 miles one-way from trailhead) - via Flattop Mountain Trail to an unmaintained route

Backcountry Campsites Near Bear Lake There are no designated backcountry campsites close to Bear Lake

The Bear Lake Trailhead is 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. BEAR LAKE ROAD IS UNDER  CONSTRUCTION AND VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS APPLY. Click here for more information. The trail around the lakeshore of Bear Lake begins just west of the large parking lot at the end of Bear Lake Road. This loop trail also provides access to the Emerald Lake and Flattop Mountain Trails.

Sample photographs from Bear Lake

Hallett Peak from Bear Lake

Sunset on Longs Peak from Bear Lake

Bear Lake topographic map

Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail or route marked by dashed red line

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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.