Rocky Mountain National Park's Bear Lake Horse Bypass Trail

Bear Lake Horse Bypass Trail

Description:
The Bear Lake Horse Bypass Trail connects the Glacier Gorge Trail with the Bear Lake - Fern Lake Trail, bypassing Bear Lake. The trail leaves the Glacier Gorge Trail just above Glacier Gorge Junction. It makes a fairly level track through spruce, lodgepole pine, and aspen forest before making a moderate climb to the Bear Lake Road. It then crosses the road at the east end of the Bear Lake parking area. There is a hitch rack just up the hill north of the Bear Lake Road. The trail turns northwest and continues to climb toward the north end of Bear Lake. It passes another hitch rack just north of the Bear Lake restrooms. You can tie your horses here and visit Bear Lake on foot. It is a short distance to the Bear Lake - Fern Lake Trail from the hitch rack.

Features:

Length:	.43 miles (.69 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	9,399' - 9,568'
Elevation change:	173 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Oct 15
Difficulty:	Easy to moderate
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Glacier Gorge Junction
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Bear Lake Horse Bypass Trail is reached via the Glacier Gorge Junction Trailhead. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road for about 7.7 miles to the trailhead. The trailhead has room for 27 vehicles and fills up early. No roadside parking is permitted for a half mile on either side of the trailhead. There are restrooms and trash bins at the trailhead. Take the Glacier Gorge Trail (toward Bear Lake) a short distance to the horse trail.

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