National Park Service Rocky Mountain U.S. Department of the Interior Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake Winter Trail Guide
Exploring the outdoors in winter is undeniably magical. It is also challenging. Use this map and guide to plan a safe, enjoyable trip.
Tips for a Navigating in Winter Can Be Hard Watch for Hypothermia Great Hike Park trails are not marked or maintained for When your body loses heat faster than it can winter use. You can’t rely on others’ tracks— produce it, your body temperature begins to they may have been headed somewhere else or drop. This is an emergency medical condition made a wrong turn. To find your way in winter: called hypothermia. It is serious and can be • Have and know how to use a topographic fatal. map and compass. When used correctly, GPS units can also be helpful. Symptoms include shivering, drowsiness, • Discuss your plans with park staff at visitor exhaustion, loss of coordination, impaired centers and trailhead kiosks. judgment, and slurred or incoherent speech.
Be Avalanche Aware Wear warm, quick-drying layers of clothes. Avalanches can be easily triggered by back- Stay dry. Take frequent stops to warm up. If country travelers. symptoms occur, warm the chilled person with • Visit avalanche.state.co.us/ for the latest ava- dry clothing and warm, non-alcoholic liquids. lanche forecast. If danger is high, consider Get back to your car, and promptly seek medi- staying home. cal attention. • Avoid traveling in steep gullies and on ridge tops. Open slopes of 30 to 45 degrees can be Bring the Right Gear 3 loaded with dangerous masses of snow. 3Wear layers of synthetic or wool clothing that wick moisture. • If you choose to travel in these areas, carry 3 an avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel. 3Take extra layers of clothing (socks However, don’t take extra risks just because included). you are carrying this equipment. 33Bring windproof outer layers, a warm hat, • If caught in an avalanche, make swimming and warm gloves or mittens. motions and try to stay on top of the snow. 33Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Sunlight can damage your eyes and skin even on cold Pay Attention to Weather and Conditions days. Expect snow, gusty winds, and cold tempera- 3 tures at any time. Winter days are short—start 3Drink lots of water and eat high- early and plan conservatively. energy snacks.
Streams and lakes can have thin ice and be Follow the Rules, Practice Good Etiquette very dangerous. If you choose to cross, first Sledding is not allowed at Bear Lake. Please test your steps with a pole. go to the Hidden Valley Snowplay Area, the only place in Rocky where sledding is Only travel off-trail if you are extremely famil- permitted. iar with the area. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer. Snow can Don’t walk or snowshoe in ski tracks: it cre- be deep once you are off-trail. ates dangerous conditions for skiers.
You must be in control at all times and let others know when you’re approaching them. Yield to those traveling faster than you. Pass with care.
For More Park Information...... (970) 586-1206 or www.nps.gov/romo Information Trail Ridge Road Status...... (970) 586-1222 Emergencies ...... 911. Tell the dispatcher you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado BL-W 10-2017 Trail Ridge Road to Hidden Valley Rocky can be busy on winter weekends. Upper Beaver Meado s Snowplay Area No To B Estes Park Congestion on roads, in parking areas, and along popular trails is vehicles beyond Bear Lake Corridor Trails possible. Parking areas can ll by mid-morning. Consider carpooling gate to the trailhead. Moraine Park Beaver Meado s amp round isitor enter To Lake Helene To Bierstadt Lake . mi . km . mi . mi . km . km u Lake Bear Lake . mi Moraine Park . km Discovery enter rea Trails Closed in winter . mi No vehicles . km . mi beyond gate To Moraine Park . km To Flattop Mtn and Trail Ridge Rd . mi . km MORAINE PARK . mi . mi Bear Lake Loop The . mi . km . km . mi Pool . km . km . mi . mi . mi Bear Lake . km . km Bear Lake . km 9475ft . mi Fern . mi 2888m Trailhead . km Steep Mountain L . km Falls Cub Lake Tu edo Park A Spruce B Lake 2 07
v . mi Loomis . km Hollo ell Lake a Fern . mi Park Lake . km Nymph Mount Wuh Gabletop l Lake 107 1 Glacier Basin . mi Mountain 2 0 Glacier Gor e 11 a . mi . km amp round Closed to camping To . km Trailhead ast Dream Lake n . mi . mi . km Odessa Portal . mi Lake . km Bierstadt Park Ride . km To Sprague c Lake . mi . km Lake 0 0 1 0 2 0 . mi Knobtop h . km Mountain Bierstadt 0 0 1 0 2 0 To Alberta Falls 12 1 e . mi . mi . mi . km 7 . km . mi . km Lake . km . mi . km Notchtop Two Rivers B R L R Mountain Lake . mi 1212 Helene Lake . km DESTINATION DISTANCE ELEVATION GAIN 7 . mi Spra ue . km Lake one way from nearest TH mi km ft m . mi . mi . km . km Alberta Falls 0.8 1.3 160 49 . mi Flattop Mtn Dream . mi . km Bear Lake Loop 0.5 0.8 20 6 12 2 Emerald . km 7 Lake from Bear Lake Bierstadt Lake Lake Trailhead 2.3 3.7 -34 -10 d a l l G o y n r g e . mi T . km . mi Cub Lake 2.3 3.7 540 165 . km . mi To Longs Peak Hallett Peak Ranger Station Dream Lake 0.8 1.3 425 130 MARKERS NOT MAINTAINED 1271 . mi ail . km 7 Tr . km r Alberta Lake e . mi Emerald Lake 1.5 2.4 605 184 t
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