Days of Noah are Here!

Hallett Peak Flattop Mountain Hike Scramble - RMNP Colorado

As of 2022 I became aware that RMNP has a new set of restrictions and fees that one needs to review.

Visiting RMNP - Reservations for Summer

There is a new "timed entry system" from May 26 to October 22, 2023 and the usual park pass requirements etc If you've never been there I would recommend jumping through the new hoops to enter a couple of times. There is lots of other cool mountain exploration in Colorado for the longer time outdoor people.

Hallett Peak

A nice view of the objective as you enter RMNP

Hallett Peak

From the road into the Bear Lake trailhead

Hallett Peak

Bear Lake, very calm and peaceful today August 24, 2011

Hallett Peak

Head counterclockwise around Bear Lake and in only a couple of minutes you come to the right hand trail for Flattop which leads to Hallett Peak. The next intersection you make a left hand turn to go to Flattop, going straight takes you to Odessa and Fern Lake.

Hallett Peak

The 1st lookout is called Dream Lake

Hallett Peak

Dream Lake sign, a good spot for a stop and a snack, just over an hour up the trail.

Hallett Peak

Finally in the open above the bigger trees and amongst the Krumholtz

Hallett Peak

Hallet Peak in the distance

Hallett Peak

The 2nd overlook is called Emerald Lake

Hallett Peak

Emerald Lake overlook spot and sign

Hallett Peak

One of the Colorado 14er classics for all scramblers and prominent from almost anywhere in RMNP is Longs Peak!

Hallett Peak

Nice trail and cool looking clouds

Hallett Peak

More trail to Flattop, see the semi-permanent snowfield up ahead, pretty low angle and easy to cross in August

Hallett Peak

Getting closer

Hallett Peak

A nice view of Hallet Peak from the Flattop Mountain trail

Hallett Peak

Flattop is really a bit wide open flat area but this trail sign is considered the official summit for Flattop

Hallett Peak

Heading south from the Tonahutu trial sign towards Hallett Peak. 390 feet and .6 miles to go. The trail is marked by lots of cairns but is a bit easy to lose as you go over quite rocky terrain and the trail can be a bit faint here and there. Just follow the general line of sight in a common sense direction, avoiding the glacier and cliff areas and you should be okay

Hallett Peak

Getting closer, just a walk up the last bit of slope

Hallett Peak

Yours truly with Longs Peak over my shoulder

Hallett Peak

Grand Lake on the west side of RMNP

Hallett Peak

Otis and Taylor Peaks if you want to keep traversing

Hallett Peak

Hallett Peak

Glad I am not on Ypsilon Mountain today!

Hallett Peak

Heading back across Flattop Mountain with more cool clouds

Hallett Peak

Another view of Hallett Peak on the way down

Hallett Peak

More cool cloud cover

Hallett Peak

More cloud again

Hallett Peak

Hallett Peak

Hallett Peak

Hallett Peak

The parking lot a long ways away!

Hallett Peak Flattop Mountain Hike Scramble - RMNP Colorado

  • Scramble: Mostly Class 1, bit of class 2 on slope up Hallett Peak
  • Altitude: 12,713 ft for Hallett Peak, 12,324 ft for Flattop, Bear Lake Trailhead 9,475 ft
  • Elevation Gain: 3,238 ft, Round trip 10 miles
  • Start Time: 6am to 8am to be on your way down by noon and avoid potential lightning storms
  • Ascent Time: 3 Hours + or -

Highlights

Once past tree line the views of almost the whole of RMNP are splendid in all directions. Blue skies and big puffy white clouds were kinda cool also.

Getting There

From the Beaver Meadows entrance station it's only like a � of a mile and you take a left hand turn onto the Bear Lake Road. Take this winding road for 9 miles to the Bear Lake parking lot. Washrooms here also.

Camping

There are 3 major campgrounds on the east side of RMNP if you don't require showers or laundry. Aspenglen (elevation 8,220 ft) 54 sites, Glacier Basin (elevation 8,500 ft) 150 sites and Moraine Park (elevation 8,160 ft) 245 sites. $35/night tent site when the water is on.

The place I recommend is Elk Meadow Lodge and RV Resort (elevation 7,468 ft) which is just over a mile from the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station. Approximately $42/night for a tent site but includes free showers and has laundry facilities. A good base to enter the park easily and also only a couple of miles to the main street of Estes Park.

Elk Meadow RV Resort - Estes Park

Estes Park Campground at Mary's Lake and East Portal Reservoir are also possibilities with showers not sure about laundry though. Tent site $45.

Mary's Lake Campground - Estes Park Area

East Portal Campground - Estes Park Area

Route Description

Head counterclockwise around the lake for a couple of minutes and take the trail to the right for Flattop Mountain. From here the rocky trail winds its way ever higher. Make sure you go left at the next junction for Flattop, don't go straight and into the Odessa / Fern Lake area. From that junction you come to the Dream Lake and Emerald Lake lookouts. Good spots to relax a bit and have a snack. Once past the Emerald Lake lookout you are out in the open with nice views all around. The trail winds around a rock outcrop and in the distance you can see the hitching post stop and then a small low angled snowfield just before the flat terrain of Flattop Mountain. The sign for the Tonahutu trail is considered the summit of Flattop. From this sign you head south towards Hallett and pick your way up its rocky slope for another 390 feet.