The 4.3-mile Flattop Mountain Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is a spectacular out-and-back hike that climbs 12,324-foot Flattop Mountain on the Continental Divide. The popular, well-maintained trail is one of the few park trails besides Longs Peak that climbs to a high mountain summit. Flattop Mountain’s broad summit offers impressive views of the surrounding Colorado Rockies. The strenuous, round-trip 8.8-mile hike (add an extra 0.2 miles for walking from trailhead to trail start) begins at 9,475 Bear Lake Trailhead and climbs 2,850 feet to the summit. Allow at least six hours for the hike. For extra credit, head south on the divide for 0.7 mile to the summit of neighboring 12,713-foot Hallett Peak, then return back to Flattop to descend the trail.
Pro Tips
To begin the hike at Bear Lake Trailhead, follow U.S. 36 from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center to Bear Lake Road. Go left on Bear Lake Road and drive nine miles to the trailhead. From Bear Lake Trail, go right on Flattop Mountain Trail for 0.8 miles to a junction with the Fern-Odessa Lakes Trail. Keep left on the main trail and hike 3.5 miles to the wide summit of Flattop Mountain. The trail yields stunning views of the lakes below and Tyndall Gorge as it switchbacks up steep slopes. Higher it crosses alpine tundra studded with wildflowers.Bear Lake Trailhead, which accesses other trails, is extremely busy. Arrive early in the morning to get a parking spot, especially on summer and autumn weekends. The best option to avoid parking and traffic hassles is to take the free park shuttle to the lake. Park across from Glacier Basin Campground in a Park & Ride lot to catch a ride. Shuttles run frequently in summer so you won’t wait long. Shuttle schedules, maps, and details are available at the park website, visitor centers, shuttle stops, and park newspaper.Elevation ranges from 9,500 feet to over 12,000 feet so it’s easy to get altitude sickness if you live at a lower elevation. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. The best cure is to descend to a lower elevation, so start hiking downhill to increase your oxygen intake.Summer weather quickly changes from sun to storm. Be prepared in the afternoon for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. Snow, cold temperatures, and high winds can occur in the summer. Get an early morning start to avoid storms. Bring a rain jacket and extra clothes. Don’t forget to pack a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses to protect from bright sunlight. Also carry snacks, water, and a map. Cell service is spotty so don’t rely on your phone.Recommended season(s): Year-round.
–Stewart M. Green
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