Flattop Mountain and Hallett Peak from Bear Lake

The walk starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road, reached by car or by the free Bear Lake shuttle. The Flattop Mountain Trail climbs through forest to the Dream Lake Overlook, then above the trees past the Emerald Lake Overlook to the broad top of Flattop Mountain, on the Continental Divide at 12,324 feet. From there a faint path marked by cairns heads south past the top of Tyndall Glacier and climbs over rocks to Hallett Peak, at 12,713 feet. Return the same way.

It is 9.9 miles (15.9 km) round trip with 3,090 feet (942 m) of climbing; allow about 7 hours. The grade is Hard: a long climb, much of it above the trees, ending on rough, rocky ground.

Most of the route is above treeline, open to wind and lightning: start early, be off the summits before noon, and turn back if storms are building. The path to Hallett Peak is hard to follow in places, and snow and ice can cover the upper trail outside summer. From May 22 to October 18, 2026, a Timed Entry+ Bear Lake Road reservation is needed to drive Bear Lake Road between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Over the same dates, the Bear Lake shuttle runs from the Park & Ride every 10 to 15 minutes, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.