Rocky Mountain National Park's Bierstadt Lake Trail

Bierstadt Lake Trail

Description:
The Bierstadt Lake Trail begins in a stand of lodgepole pine at an elevation of 8,907 feet. It climbs a south facing slope to intersect with the Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail at 9,494 feet. The trail climbs 587 feet before dropping sixty feet to the lake. This trail sees moderate use from hikers but heavy horse use from neighboring stables.

The trail begins a moderate climb to the north through the forest. It continues through a series of switchbacks across the open south facing slopes of Glacier Basin. You get great views of Longs Peak to the south and Hallett Peak to the southwest. There are a lot of aspens sprinkled over the hillsides that are especially beautiful in the fall. As you climb higher, Glacier Creek and Sprague Lake come into view below. The climb is moderately strenuous but the views are well worth it.

Once on top of the ridge you again enter a lodgepole pine forest. It is a short walk to the junction with the Bierstadt Loop Trail and the end of this trail. The loop trail travels around the lake offering access to the lake via spur trails. Horses are not permitted near the lake. There is a hitch rack a short distance down the loop trail.

The Bierstadt Loop Trail is a trail that travels around Bierstadt Lake. It is about a mile in length, all level walking. It is part of a complex of trails called the Bear-Mill-Bierstadt Loop Trails. You can access this loop via the Upper Bierstadt Moraine Trail on the east, the Bierstadt Lake Trail on the south, and the Bear Lake-Mill Creek Trail on the west. The Bear Lake-Mill Creek Trail is connected to the loop trail via two trails, one from the southwest (closer to Bear Lake) and one from the northwest (closer to Mill Creek). The loop trail is easy to walk and intersects numerous spur trails leading to Bierstadt Lake. There are two horse hitch racks along this trail. There is one on the north side and the other on the south side.

Features:

Length:	1.04 miles (1.68 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,907' - 9,494'
Elevation change:	587 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Moderate
Use:	Moderate
USGS maps:	Longs Peak, McHenrys Peak
Trailheads:	Bierstadt Lake
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	Yes (not permitted near the lake)

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Bierstadt Lake Trail is reached via the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road for about 6.5 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road. The trailhead is a narrow dirt parking area with room for about 12 vehicles. There isn’t much room to turn a van or truck around.

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