Trail Guides

Rocky Mountain National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake Winter Trail Guide Exploring the outdoors in winter is undeniably magical. It is also challenging. Use this map and guide to plan a safe, enjoyable trip. Tips for a Great Hike Navigating in Winter Can Be Hard Park trails are not marked or maintained for winter use. You can’t rely on others’ tracks— they may have been headed somewhere else or made a wrong turn. To find your way in winter: • Have and know how to use a topographic map and compass. When used correctly, GPS units can also be helpful. Watch for Hypothermia When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, your body temperature begins to drop. This is an emergency medical condition called hypothermia. It is serious and can be fatal. • Discuss your plans with park staff at visitor centers and trailhead kiosks. Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, exhaustion, loss of coordination, impaired judgment, and slurred or incoherent speech. Be Avalanche Aware Avalanches can be easily triggered by backcountry travelers. • Visit avalanche.state.co.us/ for the latest avalanche forecast. If danger is high, consider staying home. Wear warm, quick-drying layers of clothes. Stay dry. Take frequent stops to warm up. If symptoms occur, warm the chilled person with dry clothing and warm, non-alcoholic liquids. Get back to your car, and promptly seek medical attention. • Avoid traveling in steep gullies and on ridge tops. Open slopes of 30 to 45 degrees can be loaded with dangerous masses of snow. • If you choose to travel in these areas, carry an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel. However, don’t take extra risks just because you are carrying this equipment. • If caught in an avalanche, make swimming motions and try to stay on top of the snow. Pay Attention to Weather and Conditions Expect snow, gusty winds, and cold temperatures at any time. Winter days are short—start early and plan conservatively. Streams and lakes can have thin ice and be very dangerous. If you choose to cross, first test your steps with a pole. Only travel off-trail if you are extremely familiar with the area. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer. Snow can be deep once you are off-trail. Bring the Right Gear 33Wear layers of synthetic or wool clothing that wick moisture. 33Take extra layers of clothing (socks included). 33Bring windproof outer layers, a warm hat, and warm gloves or mittens. 33Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin even on cold days. 33Drink lots of water and eat highenergy snacks. Follow the Rules, Practice Good Etiquette Sledding is not allowed at Bear Lake. Please go to the Hidden Valley Snowplay Area, the only place in Rocky where sledding is permitted. Don’t walk or snowshoe in ski tracks: it creates dangerous conditions for skiers. You must be in control at all times and let others know when you’re approaching them. Yield to those traveling faster than you. Pass with care. For More Information Park Information...................................................... (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo Trail Ridge Road Status............................................ (970) 586-1222 Emergencies ............................................................ 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado BL-W 10-2017 0.3mi 0.5km 0.4mi 0.6km Spruce Lake Rocky can be busy on winter weekends. 2.2mi 3.5km e c h a n a l A v D a n Andrews Tarn The Pool 1.0mi 1.6km 1.7mi 2.7km 0.2mi 0.3km 0.5mi 0.8km 0.3mi 0.5km 0.5mi 0.8km 0.9mi 1.4km 0.9mi 1.4km 0.6mi 1.0km The Loch 0.4mi 0.6km 2.0mi 3.2km Half Mtn 11482ft 3500m 0.8mi 1.3km Cub Lake Hollowell Park No vehicles beyond gate 2.0mi 3.2km 1.4mi 2.3km To Longs Peak Ranger Station g e r GLA North Closed in winter 36 66 Moraine Park Discovery Center To Estes Park Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Beaver Meadows Entrance Station Trail Ridge Road to Hidden Valley Snowplay Area 0.4mi 0.6km Tuxedo Park CIER 1 Mile 1 Kilometer East Portal 0.5 0.4mi 0.6km 1.9mi 3.1km 0 0 0.5 Closed to camping Glacier Basin Campground e Road Lak ar Be MORAINE PARK Moraine Park Campground Upper Beaver Meadows No vehicles beyond gate 0.3mi 0.5km Steep Mountain 9538ft 2907m 1.7mi 2.7km Park & Ride 1.5mi 2.4km Sprague Lake To Longs Peak Ranger Station Bierstadt Lake Bierstadt Lake 1.5mi 2.4km 1.9mi 3.1km 1.3mi 2.1km 1.1mi 1.8km 1.5mi 2.4km Cub Lake 0.7mi 1.1km 0.5mi 0.8km Mills Lake Jewel Lake Shelf Lake GORGE To Black Lake Thatchtop 12668ft 3861m Solitude Lake 0.5mi 0.8km il Tra Alberta 0.9mi Falls 1.4km See detail upper left BEAR LAKE AREA Mount Wuh 10761ft 3280m 2.0mi 3.2km 0.7mi 1.1km Lake Haiyaha Sky Pond Lake of Glass Timberline Falls LE Dream Lake Fern Falls Congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails is possible. Parking areas can fill by mid-morning. Consider carpooling to the trailhead. Fern Lake 3.5mi 5.6km ny on Emerald Lake Two Rivers Lake ao a s C dall Gorge Flattop Mtn Ty n Ch Hallett Peak 12713ft 3875m 12486ft 3806m Otis Peak 12324ft 3756m Lake Helene Odessa Lake Loomis Lake 12129ft 3697m Notchtop Mountain Gabletop Mountain 12331ft 3758m Knobtop Mountain Marked crosscountry ski trail Trail distances MARKERS NOT MAINTAINED Trail Closed road Unpaved road 1.9mi 3.1km To Sprague Lake To Moraine Park and Trail Ridge Rd Bear Lake Area Trails Falls Glacier Gorge Trailhead Lake To Alberta 0.3mi 0.5km 2.0mi \ 3.2km To Bierstadt Bear Lake Trailhead 0.3 Miles 0.7mi 1.1km High avalanche risk Trailhead Information Picnic area 11939ft 3639m Bear Lake Corridor Trails 0.5mi 0.8km 0.2 0.3 Kilometers 0.5mi 0.8km Bear Lake 0.2 0.1 9475ft 2888m Bear Lake Loop 0.5mi 0.8km Nymph Lake Helene Mtn 2.0mi \ 3.2km To Lake To Flattop 3.5mi 5.6km Lake 0.3mi \ 0.5km To Dream North 0.1 0.5mi \ 0.8km ELEVATION GAIN ft m 49 6 -10 165 130 184 419 370 229 69 6 302 75 Andrews Glacier Taylor Peak 13153ft 4009m Winter 0 DISTANCE mi km 160 20 -34 540 425 605 1,375 1,215 750 225 20 990 245 Campground Parking Restrooms VA 0 DESTINATION one way from nearest TH 0.8 0.5 2.3 2.3 0.8 1.5 3.8 2.9 1.8 0.5 0.5 2.1 2.5 1.3 0.8 3.7 3.7 1.3 2.4 6.1 4.7 2.9 0.8 0.8 3.4 4.0 Alberta Falls Bear Lake Loop from Bear Bierstadt Lake Lake Trailhead Cub Lake Dream Lake Emerald Lake Fern Lake Lake Helene Mills Lake Nymph Lake Sprague Lake Loop The Loch The Pool All Glacier Gorge trails can be accessed from Bear Lake. Add 0.1 miles to trail distance. Shuttle buses do not operate in winter. High risk avalanche areas are marked, but avalanches can happen almost anywhere in this area. CH LO