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Bear Lake, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, is a large parking lot accessing numerous hikes in the park. This is a popular place and in the middle of the summer can fill up rapidly. If you get a late start, head for the shuttle bus parking lot and take the shuttle to the lake. In the summer it runs on a regular schedule. Don't be deterred by the number of people. This is the starting point for many long excursions and the further away you get, the less people on the trail.
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Flattop Mountain
Distance: 4.4 miles (one-way)
Elevation gain: 2,849 ft.
Difficulty: moderate
Starting point: Bear Lake Parking Lot
Overall: One of the best moderate mountain hikes in the park. Good trail and great views.
Rising to a height of 12,324 ft., Flattop Mountain is one of the most popular mountain hikes in the national park. But although it may have tendency toward drawing a crowd, there's plenty to recommend this beautiful destination.
The trail is excellent all the way to the top. There are two overlooks; one in the trees above Dream Lake and the other above treeline, dramatically looking down into Emerald Lake. From here the trail turns around to the backside of the mountain with views towards the Mummies and Trailridge road.
The top is just as the name suggest, very flat but the views are expansive. The Never Summers rise to the west; the Gores to the south. Once arriving at the summit, I suggest you go a little further toward Hallett Peak. Within minutes you can get a great view of Shadow Mountain Lake on the west side.
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Lake Haiyaha
Distance: 2.1 miles (one-way) about a 6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 745 ft.
Difficulty: High easy
Trailhead: Bear Lake, also possible from Glacier Gorge
Overall: Packs a lot of scenery into a short distance. Unimproved trail from Dream Lake. Easy to follow but very rocky and rooty.
Follow the trail from Bear Lake to Dream Lake. Just before Dream lake, follow the trail marker to Lake Haiyaha. This is a lovely rocky trail on the side of the cliff (keep kids in tow). The trail will go past the Glacier Gorge turn-off and then turn right to approach the lake. The old twisted tree near the lake is said to be one of the oldest in the park. Return the way you came or take a loop to the Mills/Loch junction, returning back to the Glacier Gorge parking lot. From there you can return to Bear Lake by trail or shuttle bus.
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Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes
Distance: 1.9 miles to Emerald Lake
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Trailhead: Bear Lake
Overall: 3 lakes. Nymph Lake is easy. Moderate hike to Dream and Emerald. Excellent place to go for your first hike or snowshoe with an excellent trail.
At Bear Lake, take the Emerald Lake trail system to the left of the lake. Nymph Lake is a short 1/2 mile. The trail then takes you higher into the rocks where there are some tremendous views towards Longs Peak and Glacier Gorge. Once you arrive at Dream Lake the trail continues to the right about another mile to Emerald Lake.
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Stones Peak
Distance: 10 miles one-way
Difficulty: Strenuous
Overall: For the mega-dayhiker who loves lots of tundra, this may be one of the best hikes in the park. I had made three attempts at this peak before summitting and was usually turned back by the weather. But if all goes well this one is a gem as there are no boring sections on the trail, very little scree, and not a lot of exposure. It does require fitness and good route-finding skills. Everything went right on my fourth attempt- finally. Three super hiking companions, an early start (3 a.m. at the trailhead), a good weather day, full knowledge of the route we were taking, and a "let's get this baby" attitude.
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