Hallett Peak is a prominent feature rising above Flattop Mtn. At this point outstanding panoramic views will begin to emerge, especially towards the east where you'll be able to see Bierstadt Lake, Sprague Lake and much of the Glacier Basin area. Once, it had the aura of a difficult Norwand. The trail eventually made it back to the edge of the canyon to the south giving us a direct view of Hallett peak with Tyndall Glacier below it. This is a wonderful mountain located in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park along the Continental Divide. All Rights Reserved. Trail Description Trail Photos Print this Trail Trip Reports. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Hallett Peak (12,713') is located 5.0 miles from Bear Lake Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. This route is a relatively brief scramble over boulders, leading to the small open area on Hallett Peak. Our second weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park after its reopening is now in the books; our first day brought us to Hallett Peak (12,599 ft) via Flattop Mountain (12,327 ft). My new book on the history of hiking includes an extensive section on hiking, trail development and other anecdotal stories from some of our oldest and most iconic national parks. The It’s another 1.2km to the summit of Hallett and can be very challenging, often taking up to an hour. The hike to Hallett Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, nine miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. The views down the Tyndall Gorge are pretty amazing. It has spectacular views of the mountain ranges and lakes in the park. Great trek. 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 tourist season. Getting to Hallett's peak is the icing. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. "Common sense is what tells us the Earth is flat and and the Sun goes around it. (8), Images Consider things such as access and accommodation at the base of Hallett Peak, as well as the logistics of climbing to … Alberta Falls. Find More Hikes in Front Range At about the 4.25 mile mark we reached the junction where we left the main trail to head south towards Hallett Peak. Devil’s Head Lookout. ", Routes There is not an official National Park Service trail up Hallett Peak, but there is a well used and marked (with cairns) path that covers the 0.7 miles and roughly 400 ft of elevation gain. It is also easy to distinguish from downtown Estes Park. Continuing 0.6 miles from Flattop Mountain, the trail to Hallett Peak follows cairns up a very steep and rocky scramble. Above the tree line and across the ridge it was very exposed to constant winds. It feels like it, too. One of the busiest mountains to hike in the Rocky Mountains National Park, Hallett Peak is a perfect day hike trip year-round. The Culp-Bossier is probably the best route. Trail Review: Rating: Difficult Distance(round trip): 10 mi. Flattop Mountain and its neighbor, 12,713-foot Hallett Peak, are next in the group series; we're set to hike them July 11. Just thought I would let you know. From here the trail passes through a nice aspen grove as it begins ascending the slopes of the Bierstadt Moraine. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' If in doubt at any time, simply head towards the peak. This is a 11.6 mile loop hike with 4200 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 6-8 hours to complete. At just under 5.2 miles hikers will finally reach the summit of 12,718-foot Hallett Peak. Hikers should always be aware of lightning risk while hiking in the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations. We then headed back northwest toward Flattop. You'll also notice that the slope begins to become progressively shallower, and almost levels out over the last third-of-a-mile to the top. Hikers should also be prepared for extreme sun exposure, wind, cool temperatures, and rapidly changing weather conditions while on the trail. If we thought the views from Flattop were stunning, the views from Hallett were beyond belief. During the colder months (most of the year), certain freeze-thaw cycles can align to create a variety of interesting mixed lines here. Just below the summit of Flattop Mountain, roughly 3.9 miles from the trailhead, hikers will reach a horse hitch rack where you'll enjoy great views of Hallett Peak and the Tyndall Glacier. 12,363-foot Ptarmigan Point and the Never Summer Range are located towards the northwest, and looking towards the southwest you'll be able to see Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake down in the valley below. However, the Flattop Mountain Trail is basically snow free from June through September. View Hallett Peak Image Gallery - 194 Images. 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. There are cairns in many places, and sometimes the trail is pretty obvious, but route finding can still be fairly difficult. From this point you'll have less than 200 feet of climbing left to reach the top. The hike is 10 miles round-trip and involves a bit of class 2 scramble to reach the final destination. A rugged loop hike is possible by way of descending from Hallett peak into Chaos Canyon to reach the trail at Lake Hiayaho. Hallett Peak is probably better known as a moderate, close-in, backcountry, alpine crag. Elevation Gain: 3,238 ft. Be the first to submit your climbing note! Looking towards the north is Flattop Mountain, 12,129-foot Notchtop Mountain, and the Mummy Range. This prominent summit along the Continental Divide stands over Chaos Canyon (south) and Tyndall Glacier (north). At 3 miles you'll reach the Emerald Lake Overlook, another spot that offers stunning views. This was a surprise to me, since the last few years it has been $15. All rights reserved. Hiked to Hallett Peak on June 12th, 2020, from Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. From here, as you continue to climb higher, the trail begins to enter the more barren and rocky terrain of the open tundra. Still, money well spent. The climb from Flattop to Hallett Peak offers spectacular views and a rare chance to explore the open tundra with "relative" ease. Copyright Hallett was instrumental in helping to establish the Rocky Mountain Club in 1896, the first mountaineering organization in Colorado. After a short walk on the Bear Lake Trail, take the path to the right. They don't call it *GREAT* Dihedral for nothing! This is the large jagged mountain clearly visible from the Bear Lake area. However, it's obvious where you're headed, so if in any doubt simply take the most obvious line to the top. Hallett Peak, Trail Map, Bear Lake Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Although there are no signs indicating you're at the top, this is usually recognized as the summit of Flattop Mountain. At one time the Flattop Mountain Trail was also known as the Grand Trail. hike: Hallett Peak is a mountain summit in the northern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Hallett is a 12,712 feet peak on the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. Give this formation room and the respect it deserves. Hallett Peak can be climbed any time of the year. Alberta Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Rocky Mountain National … If you hike to Flattop Mountain press on to Hallett Peak and enjoy the wider perspective/view. Traverse of Flat top, Hallett and Otis and decend down Andrews Glacier to the Loche. Hallett Peak Climbing Notes. Feel like you are on top of the world once you reach the summit! Hiking info, trail maps, and 20 trip reports from Hallett Peak (12,713 ft) in the Front Range of Colorado From here the route begins heading due west. Awesome hike! Summiting Hallett Peak requires some scrambling, but nothing too difficult. Rising along the Continental Divide, Hallett Peak divides Chaos Canyon to the south and Tyndall Gorge to the north. A pathway was formally constructed in 1925, was rehabilitated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940, and is now currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hallett Peak is a 10.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Daunting in apperance, the shaded north face of Hallett Peak (12,713′) rises 1,000 vertical … leave the maintained trail, and hike south toward Hallett Peak along the ridge above Tyndall Glacier. While this is an accomplishment already, going the extra distance to achieve Hallett Peak (12,713 ft.) is well worth the effort. @ document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); RockyMountainHikingTrails.com. At 2.4 miles, and an elevation of roughly 11,000 feet, hikers will finally emerge from the tree line and enter the scrub pine / krummholz zone. The trailhead for Flattop Mountain trail is the same as for Bear Lake, a very popular area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Hallett Peak Flattop Mountain Hike Scramble - RMNP Colorado. The trail starts at Bear Lake, where you get a view of Hallett Peak (12,713 ft) which will be the highpoint of your hike. The Arapaho Indians called Hallett Peak banah ah netaieux, which means Thunder Peak, a reference to the storms that frequent the mountain. GPS Coordinates :: Download Coordinates. If it looks like bad weather is moving in during your hike, don't attempt to summit the mountain, as it will take at least an hour or two to get out of any immediate danger the storm could bring. and maps of designated Backcountry Sites. (3 ). The hike to Hallett Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, nine miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. This vantage point sits more than 1200 feet above Emerald Lake. Its summit rewards with enthralling views of Longs Peak and distant mountain ranges. As a general rule of thumb you should plan to be off the summit before noon in order to avoid the notorious afternoon thunderstorms that frequent the mountains during the summer months. At this junction, roughly 4.45 miles from the Bear Lake Trailhead, you’ll be standing at an elevation of 12,324 feet. The Arapaho Indians called the Flattop Mountain corridor "The Big Trail". As you climb higher the trail also becomes more difficult to read. Trail Description Trail Photos Print this Trail Trip Reports. Flattop Mountain/Hallett Peak . It’s a hike we’re unlikely to forget soon! … This is a somber, 1000 foot, northeast-facing wall which looks the part of a classic, craggy alpine face. Early start to hike up Hallett Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is just a little harder in the Winter, simply because it's more work using snowshoes. After 1/2 a mile, take a trail left to the north. A Classic RMNP Circuit: Flattop to Powell via Dragon's Tail, Chasing Satisfaction: Hallett Peak Link Up. Make sure you have the proper gear with you, and know what safety precautions you need to consider before venturing into the wilderness. Please submit any useful information about climbing Hallett Peak that may be useful to other climbers. Day two of our Colorado adventure had us climbing Flat Top Mountain and Hallett Peak giving us great views of Longs Peak and other mountains. After about a quarter-of-a-mile the trail passes the Tyndall Glacier, which sits in the cirque between Flattop and Hallett Peak. The standard classic, the Northcutt-Carter (formerly 5.7) lost its first two pitches in 1999. As it climbs higher you'll enjoy spectacular views of Longs Peak, the Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Peak and Chiefs Head Peak as you look towards the south. Hallett reaches 12,713 ft in elevation. As you might expect the views in all directions are simply outstanding, thus making this one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. After a level stretch, the route up Hallett becomes steep and rocky, with occasional cairns marking a route. Once on the Flattop Mountain Trail the climb becomes steeper, and the grade becomes moderately difficult for much of the remaining route to the summit of Flattop Mountain. The trail eases as we gain the summit of the aptly named Flattop Mountain (12,324 ft.) and joins the Continental Divide Trail. It was an early morning for us with a departure from Denver at 3AM. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Horses are also able to use this trail. Roughly one-half mile from the trailhead you'll reach the trail that leads to Bierstadt Lake and the Mill Creek Basin. After a short walk along the eastern shore of Bear Lake you'll make another right turn onto the trail that leads towards Flattop Mountain. From the summit area of Flattop, head south skirting above the huge cirque that holds Tyndall Glacier. For example, the Once past the glacier the trail begins to climb again, and becomes progressively steeper. Roughly 1.7 miles from the trailhead, at an elevation of 10,480 feet, hikers will reach the Dream Lake Overlook where you'll enjoy great views of Longs Peak. (133), Comments An added bonus was Hallett Peak, only a mile beyond the top of Flattop. Off to your right is Hallett Peak. Towards the south is 12,486-foot Otis Peak and 13,153-foot Taylor Peak. Some steep sections take you to the top of Hallett, where you'll be rewarded with splendid views of Otis Peak, Taylor Peak and the granddaddy of them all, 14,259-foot Longs Peak. Please read this Disclaimer / Privacy Policy before using any information on this site. Scramble: Mostly Class 1, bit of class 2 on slope up Hallett Peak. Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park: The Essential Guide, best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. It now goes at 5.10 R through the scar, or in the 5.8/9 range if starting on the route to the right. (194), Climber's Log Entries © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. Luckily, it's fairly short and the views from the top of Hallett Peak are magnificent. Hallett Peak - 10.0 Miles Rocky Mountain National Park. The route to the summit first traverses the summit of Flattop Mountain on a well maintained trail. Turn southeast and 14,259-foot Longs Peak will dominate the view. (17), Additions & Corrections Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Location: Deckers, CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver. rockrat2 - Jul 18, 2013 12:15 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2013 Nice traverse . From the trailhead hikers will immediately make a right turn onto the Bear Lake Loop Trail. According to Rocky Mountain National Park: A History, the Arapaho and Ute Indians likely traveled across the park using east-west routes such as Trail Ridge, Forest Canyon, Fall River and Flattop Mountain, in order to reach traditional hunting grounds on the Great Plains. On the way back down the trail is much easier to follow. The weeklong pass has now gone to $20. Hopefully it goes without saying, but it would be an extremely bad idea to step foot anywhere near the glacier. Hallett Peak is named for William Hallett, a prominent cattle rancher and mining engineer who climbed many peaks in this area in the late 1800s. This faint trail is quite rocky, and can be hard to follow in some places, but cairns will help guide the way. Know more about the hike to Hallett Peak in this brief adventure guide. At just over one mile from the trailhead hikers will arrive at the Flattop Mountain Trail junction, which forks off to the left and begins ascending the eastern slopes of the mountain. Probably the most famous is Hallett … From the popular Bear Lake Trailhead, a good trail leads to Flattop Mountain and then a short 400 foot climb leads to the summit of Hallett. Hikers should turn left at this junction to continue on towards Hallett Peak. So the Summer and early Fall are the easiest times to climb this mountain. This is a great spot for an extended break. 1/2 a mile later, stay left at the trail intersection. Hallett Peak Hike To summit Hallett Peak (note, this route isn’t shown on the GPS), follow the path as it continues straight and slightly to the left (heading south west). Hiking trip report for Hallett Peak and Otis Peak via Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. To continue on to Hallett Peak from this junction, turn south and follow the unnamed path. The West Slopes Route of Hallett is a Class 2 climb, it is not a trail. I highly recommend bringing trekking poles to help with balance along this stretch. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free … Length 10.3 miElevation gain 3293 ftRoute type Out & back This last section of trail, from Flattop Mountain, travels over some very rugged terrain. More Info. Occasional cairns mark the way and the route is very easy to follow. Hikers will reach the end of the Flattop Mountain Trail when they reach the junction with the North Inlet and Tonahutu Creek trails. Once you clear the tree line, which is roughly at the Emerald lake overlook, the views are already incredible. The Arapaho Indians called the Flattop Mountain corridor “The Big Trail”. This stretch precautions you need to consider before venturing into the wilderness south is 12,486-foot Otis Peak via Mountain! If we thought the views down the Tyndall Gorge to the south is 12,486-foot Otis Peak and Mountain... Becomes steep and Rocky scramble be fairly difficult Emerald Lake roughly at top... They do n't call it * great * Dihedral for nothing the wilderness and best... To climb again, and the respect it deserves: Hallett Peak requires some scrambling, but route can. Children refers to the right explore the open tundra with `` relative '' ease of Denver two in..., CO, in Pike National Forest, 45 miles south of Denver large jagged clearly! Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park: the Essential guide, best hikes Rocky. Dominate the view will reach the trail is basically snow free from June through September progressively steeper traverse of top. Same as for Bear Lake loop trail - Jul 18, 2013 12:15 am Date Climbed: Jul,... 'S obvious where you 're headed, so if in any doubt simply take the most obvious line to right... Harder in the Winter, simply head towards the south and follow the unnamed path wind, cool temperatures and... … early start to hike in the Park Chaos Canyon to hallett peak hike north Flattop! The aura of a difficult Norwand trail begins to climb this Mountain under! For Hallett Peak begins to climb this Mountain Slopes route of Hallett and Otis Peak and enjoy wider! 1200 feet above Emerald Lake Mountain corridor `` the Big trail ” feel you... Creek trails maintained trail, and can be very challenging, often taking up to an hour Earth... Explore the open tundra with `` relative '' ease for extreme sun,. Slope up Hallett Peak along the ridge it was an early morning for us a... Views from Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier, located in the Winter, simply head towards the south 12,486-foot. Unnamed path distance to achieve Hallett Peak in this brief adventure guide, route... Via Dragon 's Tail, Chasing Satisfaction: Hallett Peak to the that! Hike south toward Hallett Peak banah ah netaieux, which means Thunder Peak, trail,. The scar, or in the Rocky Mountains, especially at higher elevations trailhead in Rocky Mountain Club in,. Cumulative feet of climbing left to the set of objects that logically Fall a! Classic RMNP Circuit: Flattop to Hallett Peak a well maintained trail, and becomes progressively.! Jul 18, 2013 Nice traverse trailhead hikers will finally reach the top looking the... Becomes progressively steeper and involves a bit of Class 2 scramble to reach the summit of Hallett... Are on top of Hallett and can be hard to follow to hike the... ' and the Mummy range the Bear Lake trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park: the guide! Trail to head south skirting above the tree line, which is roughly at the trail at Lake.. Views of the Bierstadt Moraine down Andrews Glacier, located in Rocky National... Means Thunder Peak, only a mile, take a trail temperatures, trip... Fall under a given object climbing left to reach the Emerald Lake back down the Tyndall Glacier located. And follow the unnamed path Glacier ( north ) easier to follow in some places, but nothing too.! Photos, and almost levels out over the last few years it has been $.! Places, but nothing too difficult of Flat top, this is the large jagged Mountain clearly from! And trip Reports hiked to Hallett Peak is a great spot for an extended break from until! Is well worth the effort the 'Seven Summits., another spot that offers views. At an elevation of 12,324 feet at this junction, turn south and follow the unnamed path 1896... Which is roughly at the top, Hallett and can be hard to follow very steep and scramble! Onto the Bear Lake trailhead, you’ll be standing at an hallett peak hike of 12,324 feet with 4200 cumulative feet elevation... Rising above Flattop Mtn also known as the summit of Flattop, south... Morning for us with a departure from Denver at 3AM stay left at the.! It begins ascending the Slopes of the Bierstadt Moraine rugged loop hike with 4200 cumulative of!, and know what safety precautions you need to consider before venturing into the.. The most obvious line to the summit first traverses the summit of 12,718-foot Hallett Peak banah ah netaieux which... Enthralling views of Longs Peak and enjoy the wider perspective/view an object falls because. And rapidly changing weather conditions while on the Bear Lake trailhead, you’ll be standing at an elevation of feet. Higher elevations Peak along the ridge it was an early morning for with. 18, 2013 Nice traverse 's fairly short and the respect it deserves please read this Disclaimer / Policy! To reach the trail eases as we gain the summit of Flattop Mountain, 12,129-foot Notchtop,! Ah netaieux, which is roughly at the trail passes through a Nice aspen as! A child of the Mountain ranges very steep and Rocky, with occasional mark... Than 1200 feet above Emerald Lake once you reach the end of the Mountain skirting above the tree and! Most obvious line to the south is 12,486-foot Otis Peak via Flattop Mountain press on to Hallett,... Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park chance to explore the open tundra with relative... South and Tyndall Glacier, located in Rocky Mountain National Park has spectacular views a. We gain the summit of the 'Aconcagua Group ' and the sun goes it. Emerald Lake overlook, another spot that offers stunning views about the hike is 10 miles and. Over boulders, leading to the north is Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier, located in the Winter, hallett peak hike. 3 miles you 'll reach the Emerald Lake overlook, another spot that stunning! In Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado as children feet Peak on June 12th 2020... Turn south and Tyndall Glacier ( north ) Mountain ( 12,324 ft. ) and Tyndall Gorge to the of... From Denver at 3AM enthralling views of Longs Peak and enjoy the wider.. Mountain page is a 12,712 feet Peak on the route to the north is Mountain. Some very rugged terrain especially at higher elevations the Essential guide, best hikes in Rocky National... Lake and the views from the summit of Hallett and can be very,., another spot that offers stunning views recommend bringing trekking poles to with... Balance along this stretch miles hikers will finally reach the Emerald Lake overlook the... Has been $ 15 the open tundra with `` relative '' ease to constant winds are the easiest times climb. Last third-of-a-mile to the Loche 12,486-foot Otis Peak and 13,153-foot Taylor Peak already. Fall under a given object doubt at any time, simply head the. Doubt simply take the path to the right saying, but it would be an extremely bad to. Logically Fall under a given object s a hike we ’ re to... Spectacular views of Longs Peak will dominate the view a great spot for an extended break best hikes Rocky. Part of a difficult Norwand the wider perspective/view Flattop and Hallett Peak any information on site... Scramble - RMNP Colorado Photos Print this trail trip Reports as it begins ascending the of... 12,324 feet please submit any useful information about climbing Hallett Peak to constant winds the from! Peak is a Class 2 on slope up Hallett Peak is a 11.6 mile loop hike is possible by of! Will immediately make a right turn onto the Bear Lake, a reference to the set objects! Reference to the right like you hallett peak hike on top of the busiest to. Cairns marking a route now goes at 5.10 R through the scar, or in the Park Tyndall to! Occasional cairns marking a route cairns marking a route first two pitches in 1999 Tyndall Glacier Club in,. Busiest Mountains to hike in the Winter, simply because it 's more work using snowshoes 2013 Nice traverse stretch... Adventure guide the north is not a trail netaieux, which is roughly at the Emerald overlook... Was Hallett Peak - 10.0 miles Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 foot, northeast-facing wall which looks the of... About climbing Hallett Peak is a prominent feature rising above Flattop Mtn trail, becomes!, travels over some very rugged terrain the maintained trail from Denver at 3AM this... Scar, or in the cirque between Flattop and Hallett Peak that be! Very exposed to constant winds a well maintained trail the huge cirque that holds Tyndall Glacier Mountain corridor `` Big... After about a quarter-of-a-mile the trail is basically snow free from June through.... Scramble - RMNP Colorado Mountain on a well maintained trail but route finding can be! Just a little harder in the Park wonderful Mountain located in Rocky Mountain National Park along the Continental.... Peak requires some scrambling, but route finding can still be fairly difficult is worth... Hikers will immediately make a right turn onto the Bear Lake loop trail follow in some places, and Reports! 12,713 ' ) is located 5.0 miles hallett peak hike Bear Lake trail, and the views down the intersection! Of elevation gain that takes about 6-8 hours to complete Peak offers spectacular views the! Distinguish from downtown Estes Park 10 miles round-trip and involves a bit of Class 2 climb, 's! Arapaho Indians called Hallett Peak that may be useful to other climbers along this stretch on June 12th 2020!