Rocky Mountain National Park's Lower Bierstadt Moraine Trail

Lower Bierstadt Moraine Trail

Description:
The Lower Bierstadt Moraine Trail begins at the Shuttle Bus Parking area at an elevation of 8,642 feet. The trail travels for about 1.5 miles just north of the Bear Lake Road and ends at the Shuttle Bus Stop just east of the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. Usage of this trail is low.

The trail makes a short climb (.2 miles) from the Shuttle Bus Parking area to its intersection with the Upper Bierstadt Moraine Trail. From here it makes a gentle descent through lodgepole pine toward the Bear Lake Road. It passes through open meadows interspersed with lodgepole pine stands. This is an excellent trail for viewing wildlife. Deer and elk are often seen grazing in the meadows in the morning and late afternoon. This is a very easy trail to hike. Its only drawback is its proximity to the Bear Lake Road. That, however, doesn't seem to disturb the wildlife. Horses are not permitted on this trail.

Features:

Length:	1.49 miles (2.4 kilometers)
Elevation Range:	8,642' - 8,898'
Elevation change:	385 feet
Season:	Jun 1 - Nov 1
Difficulty:	Easy
Use:	Low
USGS maps:	Longs Peak
Trailheads:	Shuttle Bus Parking Area
Restrictions:	No pets are permitted
Suitable for mountain bikes:	No (not permitted)
Suitable for horses:	No

Vicinity Map

Altitude Profile

Directions:
The Lower Bierstadt Moraine Trail is reached via the trailhead at the shuttle bus parking area. Take Highway 36 from the Beaver Meadows Entrance to the Bear Lake Road. Follow Bear Lake Road for about 4.8 miles to the road to the shuttle bus parking area. The trail begins from the northwest end of the parking area.

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