Rocky Mountain National Park's Bear Lake

Bear Lake - Fern Lake Trail

Description:
The Bear Lake-Fern Lake Trail leaves the northeast corner of Bear Lake at 9,546 feet, climbs to an elevation of 10,705 feet and drops back down to 9,522 feet at Fern Lake. It intersects the Bear Lake-Mills Creek and Flattop Mountain trails along the way. Horses are permitted on this trail but you must use the Bear Lake Horse Bypass Trail.

The trail leaves Bear Lake and makes a moderate climb to its intersection with the Bear Lake-Mill Creek Trail. From there it turns west (left) and continues to climb for a half mile to the Flattop Mountain Trail. This part of the trail travels through dense forest offering little in the way of views. Turning northwest, the trail soon opens up a little where you get great views of Bierstadt Moraine and Bierstadt Lake below. Watch for big mule deer bucks in the open areas above the trail. The trail eventually levels off and travels across a large area of rock talus. This is pika country. You'll hear their high pitched cry and if your lucky, see them scurrying through the rocks. After crossing the slope, the trails enters the spruce forest again and heads toward NotchTop Mountain, an easily distinguishable peak.

Just below NotchTop Mountain there are numerous trails leading down to Two Rivers Lake. Above on the hillside to the west is Grace Falls. From here the trail turns north and makes a steep descent toward Odessa Lake. You soon get a glimpse of the lake, 500 feet below. The trail travels through a large boulder field and down through a spruce forest to the cutoff trail to Odessa Lake. It is about 3.7 miles from Bear Lake to the cutoff trail. This trail follows a stream for about .1 miles to the lake. Horses are not permitted at Odessa Lake. There is a hitch rack on a short loop trail leaving to the right of the trail that continues to Fern Lake. It is closer to the far end of the loop.

Fern Lake is about .85 miles and another 485 feet below Odessa Lake. The trail travels through another large boulder field just before reaching Fern Lake.

Features:

Length:	4.5 miles (7.25 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	9,502' - 10,705'
Elevation change:	2361 feet
Season:	Jun 15 - Oct 15
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Moderate
USGS maps:	McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Bear Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Bear Lake - Fern Lake Trail begins from the northeast corner of Bear Lake. It can be accessed from the Bear Lake Trailhead. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road to its end to the trailhead. The trailhead has room for about 250 vehicles but fills up early. There are restrooms and trash bins at the trailhead. Follow the Bear Lake Trail to the beginning of the Bear Lake - Fern Lake Trail.

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