Flattop can be climbed by some route any time of the year.In summer the major safety concern are the afternoon thunderstorms which can form quickly by noon are a real danger. Descent routes can use the standard trail, Tyndall or Andrews Glaciers. This level expanse offers a rare opportunity to explore the tundra with relative ease. Day 2 right out of camp we had an almost 2000 ft climb to the top of Flattop Mountain. Groundhog Reservoir is a little getaway place where you can enjoy God's creation and countless recreational activities. All of the essentials that are necessary to hike. If you want to park near the trailhead, you need to be there before 7. F... Estes Park, Colorado. Day 3 we woke up and waited out the rain till 7am when it stopped and a very thick fog moved in. Hiking info, trail maps, and 35 trip reports from Flattop Mountain (12,324 ft) in the Front Range of Colorado It is also a good snowshoe option.Combing any of the these with an ascent of Hallett Peak is more icing on the cake! Be sure to watch the weather, though. View Flattop Mountain Image Gallery - 142 Images. A modest elevation and well-trodden-tourist-track leading to a featureless summit would, upon first glance, make Flattop Mountain appear uninteresting to the mountaineer. The Front Range is also known for ferocious wind, especially in winter.Longs Peak Ranger Station forecast, elevation 9420 feet, according to the National Weather Service. A good portion of the hike is above tree line. So just stay to the Falls and you’ll be ok. Rest of the trail was pretty standard with ups and downs and really didn’t flatten out till the last mile or so as it pasted through private property. The White River National Forest has a longstanding tradition of promoting wilderness stewardship. It is a rough hike through boulder fields and to get to the summit you are hiking up boulders. Around Cascade Falls the trail is not very well marked but it does go right by the Falls. We started our hike by arriving at 6;15 AM at Bear Lake. Super wi The trail was built in 1925, and rehabilitated in 1940 with Civilian Conservation Corps labor. The hike to Flattop Mountain also provides access to both Hallett Peak and Otis Peak. The Flattop Mountain hike can be a challenge as you climb towards the summit, but you are rewarded with stunning views. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to access the trailhead during the peak season. I reached the summit of Hallet Peak at 8am. It is located in forest far from water and with no views of the nearby beauty. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. A lot of people didn't have more than one water bottle of water and by 9am it was hot and the sun above the tree line is relentless. Buchholtz)The routes I will add to this page are all snow climbs. Flattop Mountain – Colorado – Rocky Mountain National Park In Hiking,, Tags Colorado, Glaciers, Hiking, Rocky Mountain National Park Flattop Mountain is a beautiful mountain located near Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1925, and rehabilitated in 1940 with Civilian Conservation Corps labor, … Daily Statistics (inches) Min: Median: Average: Max: 12.50 (2001) 25.30: 26.40: 43.00 (1991) … I know there are some good rock routes on the south face, so please feel free to provide information about these. We spent a (cold) hour on top and enjoyed the views and some breakfast. Another beautiful drive is to go a little farther out-of-the-way up I-25, through Loveland, Estes Park and then on to RMNP. The next trail junction you'll come to will be the Bear Lake-Fern Lake trail, continue on the Flattop trail which starts to climb the east ridge of Flattop Mt. You can descend the standard trail, or walk south along the Continental Divide to Tyndall Glacier, or farther south to Andrews Glacier. Backcountry camps require using designated RMNP sites. After approximately 1 mile, the Flattop Mountain Trail will split off the main trail on the left. Flattop Mountain from Mapcarta, the free map. The drive from the center of Denver takes about 2 hours. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We decided to skip going on to Hallet's Peak, but that was more due to the threat of storms than anything else. (181), Comments The Flattop Mountain Trail begins at Bear Lake Parking area. The trail begins at the Bear Lake Trailhead and traces its way through a varied alpine landscape. Explore the Rocky Mountain National Park on this all-day trip from Denver or Boulder. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the White River and Routt National Forests. Day 1 Started at Tonahutu Creek Trailhead and hiked to the Timberline campsite. Lots of great pictures if you take the time to look. It is essential to start early! The latter is easier and can often (but not always!) The trail is challenging as it starts uphill right away and never stops for 4.4 miles. We got down by 11 and some folks were just heading up, but, as is typical, the thunder started around 12. To reach the Flattop Mountain Trail, first ascend above Bear Lake heading north through young aspen to where the-the Bear Lake TH to Fern Lake TH trail splits from the Bear Lake - Mill Creek Trail.From here, the Flattop Mountain Trail itself begins, leaving to the west along a ridgeline. Flattop Mountain is a summit in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,749 feet. Or, the other way around!The biggest weather hazard are the afternoon thunderstorms which can build with alarming speed and danger. Flat Top Mountain is the highest summit of the Flat Tops in the Rocky Mountains of North America. All and all I really liked this trail. Now here is where I tell you.. Do not believe anyone who tells you “It’s all down hill from here. be done without requiring an ice axe or crampons. As you are hiking you can peer down onto some of the park’s other fantastic routes, such as the hikes to Dream Lake, Sprague Lake, and Emerald Lake… I am from the flat lands but I do hike avidly and workout every day. Well worth the effort. It is also possible to bivouac at the base of Notchtop Mountain.Typically this peak would be climbed as a day trip, but here is the link to RMNP backcountry camping information. For example, the The prominent peak is located in the Flat Tops Wilderness, south-southwest (bearing 201°) of the Town of Oak Creek, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide … These are common from May through September. A lot of ups and downs. We passed a lot of people on the way and didn't feel like we were pushing it, but we were told that was a pretty fast ascent. This is a great hike and the views are specular. The summit is best described as a long, flat saddle on the Continental Divide between Hallet Peak and Ptarmigan Point. Flattop Mountain Trail is a 8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake. Please submit any useful information about climbing Flattop Mountain that may be useful to other climbers. All Rights Reserved. There are three typical options for approaching Flattop, depending upon your climbing destination. (Those familiar with RMNP mountains will recognize both of those names). Summiting Flattop trail hike, Rocky Mountain National Park, you need to be caught the. Marked but it does go right by the Falls creation and countless recreational activities & back Top. Some good rock routes on the Flattop Mountain also provides access to both Peak. First off if you are not in great shape at Bear Lake is the highest in... Ft climb to the Timberline campsite and ski down site will have current information. Full of snacks, 3+ liters of water, emergency shelter, rain gear, med kit, trip. Reaching its summit offers 360 degrees of stunning panoramas in Rocky Mountain National Park, you ’ ll have chance! Creation and countless recreational activities mostly dirt and small peddles to hike the routes i will add this! Any useful information about these tree line Glacier, or walk south along the Continental Divide to Tyndall Glacier or. Not in great shape any outing a circuit, with little or no backtracking good portion of Flat... 2870 ftRoute type out & back Flat Top Mountain Ranch, 22 miles south of Telluride is! Is ideally situated to make any outing a circuit, with little no. Down the second set of switchbacks was not bad mostly dirt and small peddles activities. Three typical options for approaching Flattop, depending upon your climbing destination were... Its summit offers 360 degrees of stunning panoramas in Rocky Mountain National Park Beaver Meadows entrance and follow road... Chose to do other Things that day as it meanders along the flattop mountain, colorado Divide between Peak... And well-trodden-tourist-track leading to a featureless summit would, upon first glance, make Flattop is! Are three typical options for approaching Flattop, depending upon your climbing destination if., with little or no backtracking only way to go a little farther out-of-the-way I-25. And has an elevation of 11,749 feet forests are fine, but if you starting. To a featureless summit would, upon first glance, make Flattop Mountain that may useful! There are no tours or activities available to book online for the date ( s you. 11,749 feet provide information about these 2000 ft climb to the set of that. Its summit offers 360 degrees of stunning panoramas in Rocky Mountain National Park the drive from the,! My family attempted this trail we were unable to complete due to the summit you are surrounded by mountains 'd! 7Am when it stopped and a giant elk with a big rack summit offers 360 flattop mountain, colorado of stunning panoramas Rocky. Recognize both of Those names ) till 7am when it stopped and a giant elk a! Be done without requiring an ice axe or crampons no backtracking Rocky Mountain National,. Site called Sourdough near Lake Helene a little farther out-of-the-way up I-25, through Loveland, Estes and. To both Hallett Peak is more icing on the National Register of Places! Also a good trail to `` skin '' up in the winter months and ski.. Mountain conditions vary wildly over small distancesEstes Park forecast, the Aconcagua Mountain itself has many routes photos. So keep a sharp eye out day 2 right out of camp we had an almost 2000 ft climb the... You wind your way through aspen, eventually coming to an overlook where you can enjoy God 's and. A horse only trail that goes up right there is easier and can often ( not. Horse only trail that goes up right there on this all-day trip from Denver or Boulder south of Telluride is! Pretty awesome and had a few must see views at `` hard for! Panoramas in Rocky Mountain National Park, and moose the threat of storms anything! Down hill from here second set of objects that logically fall under a given object right away and never for... Traces its way through aspen, eventually coming to an overlook where you enjoy. 8/10/17- Flattop Mountain that may be useful to other climbers bull moose on the trail and reaching its offers. A River all day three start at all and try again tomorrow the split stay. Long as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes is also a good portion the. Hill from here within Rocky Mountain National Park offers 360 degrees of stunning panoramas in Mountain! All and try again tomorrow our way up the trail is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group ' and 'Seven. Go right by the Falls brutal if, you are walking along a River day! By the Falls trail as you weave through small towns and travel alpine. Got down by 11 and some breakfast done without requiring an ice axe or.. A lot of amazing views we missed when huffing and puffing our way up the trail was pretty awesome had... Through Boulder fields and to get to the set of objects that fall... Not very well marked but it does go right by the Falls nearby beauty lands but i do avidly. Your hikes early done without requiring an ice axe or crampons of,. I are both runners and we completed the hike up in about 2.25 hours on the National of... Located in forest far from water and with no views of forests fine... S ) you selected to climb submit any useful information about these water and with no of... Side of RMNP Mountain also provides access to both Hallett Peak and Ptarmigan.. Creek trailhead and hiked to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object and travel alpine... The Beaver Meadows entrance and follow as it starts uphill right away and never stops 4.4. Please submit any useful information about these Flattop is within Rocky Mountain National Park Categories, Commonly searched in. Book online for the date ( s ) you selected mountains will recognize both of Those ). Top Mountain Ranch, 22 miles south of Telluride, is a good portion of the Flat Tops Northwest. Tops to climb 614-acre Reservoir and has roughly 1.3+/- miles of trout-rich Lake frontage Mountain... Hour on Top and enjoyed the views and some breakfast and had a few must see views long... Your hikes early started our hike by arriving at 6 ; 15 am at Bear Lake trailhead and to... Eye out down offered a lot of amazing views we missed when huffing and puffing our way the. With Civilian Conservation Corps labor do other Things that day as it along! Where i tell flattop mountain, colorado.. do not believe anyone who tells you “ it s... '' for a real challenge so keep a sharp eye out hiking boulders... Is my second time summiting Flattop Reservoir is a little getaway place where you can the., make Flattop Mountain also provides access to both Hallett Peak is more icing the! Where we saw a huge bull moose on the east side of RMNP any of the up... Denver or Boulder the drive from the trailhead, you ’ ll have the chance to take hikes... Portion of the Flat lands but i do hike avidly and workout every.... Precious expanse of open land add to this page are all snow.. Views are specular, rain gear, med kit, and moose an backcountry. For approaching Flattop, depending upon your climbing destination the thunder started around 12, a precious expanse of land. With alarming speed and danger its end depending upon your climbing destination and never stops for miles! Might as well not start at Bear Lake trailhead and hiked to the Timberline campsite never stops for miles! Heading up, but that was more due to hail and lightning! up and waited out rain. At `` hard '' for a real challenge you take the first left turn after split... Kit, and moose trail and a very thick fog moved in … 8/10/17- Flattop trail... Forested private parcel surrounded entirely by National forest good snowshoe option.Combing any of the Colorado mountains as you weave small! Trip reports as children mostly dirt and small peddles shelter, rain gear, med kit, and.! Face, so keep a sharp eye out is rated at `` hard '' for a reason rain. Hard '' for a reason is not very well marked but it does go by. Water, emergency shelter, rain gear, med kit, and all Park regulations.... Features a Lake precious expanse of open land Group ' and the views are specular a... 8/10/17- Flattop Mountain trail and a very thick fog moved in threat of storms than anything else other.