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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.7

KM

Ascent

12,298' 3,748 m

High

9,480' 2,889 m

Low

2,818' 859 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

13%

Avg Slope (7°)

29%

Max Slope (16°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Description

From the Bear Lake parking area (there will be great signage and there should be an established skin track but one still needs to pay attention), skin-up and head out on the Bear Lake trail. You'll climb above Bear Lake (amazing views of Glacier Gorge and Lumpy Ridge) looking for the Flattop Mountain trail.

Take the Flattop trail west (left) and continue climbing through the trees. 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. To reach the summit of Flattop, continue climbing for the next few miles along the ridge line. Depending on snow conditions there might be some boot packing higher up on the ridge

This is the approach for a few great alpine descents. One can also break off part way up to access Flattop's great East Face, offering great moderate open slopes.

Shared By:

Condor77 77

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 5 votes

#299

Overall
  3.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
40%
2 Star
20%
1 Star
0%
Ascent Rankings

#87

in Colorado

#299

Overall
108 Views Last Month
5,795 Since Mar 12, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

33%
0%
33%
0%
33%
0%

Photos

Dropping into the Corral Couloir on a May, 2007 descent with the cornice near its maximum instability. Photo by Eli Helmuth.
Apr 14, 2017 near Grand Lake, CO
Alex on the way up Flattop mountain approach.
May 9, 2021 near Estes Park, CO
Tyndall Glacier and Upper Tyndall Gorge from the Flattop Mountain approach
Jul 24, 2017 near Grand Lake, CO
Beautiful view of Glacier Gorge. You can see Spearhead tucked a way up there.
Mar 12, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Trail was will packed for skinning, saw some snowshoers as well. Right a treeline westerly gusts up to 50mph started hitting, so get layered up before then.
Jan 24, 2022 near Estes Park, CO
looking down the top of the couloir from the intersection of the Flattop Mountain Trail
Feb 13, 2023 near Grand Lake, CO

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