Hallett Peak and Otis Peak via Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Hike Hallett Peak and Otis Peak via Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Class 3 11.6 miles 4200 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Aug 26, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Hallett Peak and Otis Peak via Flattop Mountain and Andrews Glacier GPX Track

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I made a few errors on this route. First, I started at 9am. And second, I ascended the safe way and didn’t really give much thought to the descent down Andrews Glacier until I had to bail from a thunderstorm. Initially, this route was supposed to include Taylor Peak and Powell Peak, which I ended up doing a few days later and their inclusion would have made this a much longer day.

Starting from the Bear Lake Trailhead (or Glacier Gorge Trailhead), head up the popular Flattop Mountain Trail and follow the ridge to Hallett Peak, and then over to Otis Peak, both Colorado 12ers, and both with awesome views of Longs Peak in the distance. From Otis Peak, you’ll see Andrews Glacier. Without the proper ice descent gear, it’s definitely more intimidating than it looked on a map. I looked southeast toward Taylor Peak, the 13er looming ahead, the first of two for my intended route. And then I looked west and saw storm clouds. Where did they come from? Crap. Colorado has not been my friend with weather this year. I made a quick (maybe stupid?) descision to attempt a descent down Andrews Glacier’s south side, where the ice/snow had melted enough to leave a gap between the glacier and the cliff face. Fortunately, it ended up only being Class 3 scrambling to avoid a dangerous glissade down the steep slope. Earlier in the year, it could have been harder, and later in the year it might have been easier. Regardless, I don’t recommend doing this without at least bringing an ice axe, or at the very least, ascent Andrews Glacier first and come back down the Flattop Mountain Trail, making the harder stuff earlier in the day. It’s easier to bail from below the glacier than above.

From the beautiful glacial lake at the base of Andrews Glacier, follow the official trail down to the Loch Lake Trail and continue on well-established National Park Trails to the trailhead. This ended up being a really fun and interesting day even though I didn’t get to summit everything I wanted to.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Flattop Mountain
12324 ft
4 rise
2
Hallett Peak
12713 ft
713 rise
3
Otis Peak
12486 ft
406 rise

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Starting along the Bear Lake Trail.
Starting along the Bear Lake Trail.
Headed up the Flattop Mountain Trail.
Headed up the Flattop Mountain Trail.
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Overlook along the Flattop Mountain Trail toward Dream Lake.
Overlook along the Flattop Mountain Trail toward Dream Lake.
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Flattop Mountain Trail gets above treeline. That's looking back, toward Longs Peak (center).
Flattop Mountain Trail gets above treeline. That's looking back, toward Longs Peak (center).
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Overlook along the Flattop Mountain Trail toward Emerald Lake.
Overlook along the Flattop Mountain Trail toward Emerald Lake.
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Looking back down the Flattop Mountain Trail.
Looking back down the Flattop Mountain Trail.
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Approaching what's marked as Flattop Mountain on a map, but it's not obvious where the high point is. I don't even think this is a mountain. It's just kind of a junction where trails meet. That's Hallett Peak on the left.
Approaching what's marked as Flattop Mountain on a map, but it's not obvious where the high point is. I don't even think this is a mountain. It's just kind of a junction where trails meet. That's Hallett Peak on the left.
Hallett Peak ahead.
Hallett Peak ahead.
Looking back toward the Flattop Mountain Trail. As you can see, there's no obvious bump showing what Flattop Mountain even is.
Looking back toward the Flattop Mountain Trail. As you can see, there's no obvious bump showing what Flattop Mountain even is.
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Hallett Peak summit, looking toward my ridgeline. Otis Peak center, Taylor Peak visible on right center at the horizon, Longs Peak far left.
Hallett Peak summit, looking toward my ridgeline. Otis Peak center, Taylor Peak visible on right center at the horizon, Longs Peak far left.
Headed along the ridge to Otis Peak.
Headed along the ridge to Otis Peak.
Sign warning about glacier danger.
Sign warning about glacier danger.
Headed up to Otis Peak, looking back toward Hallett Peak.
Headed up to Otis Peak, looking back toward Hallett Peak.
Otis Peak summit ahead.
Otis Peak summit ahead.
Otis Peak, looking toward Taylor Peak (center). You can see Andrews Glacier on the right.
Otis Peak, looking toward Taylor Peak (center). You can see Andrews Glacier on the right.
Close-up of Andrews Glacier on the way down.
Close-up of Andrews Glacier on the way down.
Andrews Glacier.
Andrews Glacier.
Descend the south side of Andrews Glacier.
Descend the south side of Andrews Glacier.
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Looking back toward Andrews Glacier.
Looking back toward Andrews Glacier.
Continuing down the Andrews Glacier Trail.
Continuing down the Andrews Glacier Trail.
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Looking up toward the pass just below Andrews Glacier (right).
Looking up toward the pass just below Andrews Glacier (right).
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Passing Loch Lake.
Passing Loch Lake.
Loch Lake.
Loch Lake.
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Alberta Falls.
Alberta Falls.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!