Can't recall the 1st time; it was pre-2010, cold but not winter, I think
2nd: 2/28/21 with Shawn, Darin, Amy, and Brad McQ. High wind, VERY cold!
3rd: 4/9/23 solo, high wind
sierramtngoat - Jun 26, 2022 8:33 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2022
Via Flat Top Mountain Trail
The plan was to climb Hallett and Otis but the weather had been bad all morning and was too unstable to continue past Flattop. Lightning and hail were Flattop's parting shots. There didn't apear to be summit marker, despiste RMNP's recognition on the summit; my vote would be one the big rocks towards the SW.
technicolorNH - Aug 25, 2019 9:47 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2019
First of four
Took two hours and ten minutes by the standard route. The trail is well built and pretty gradual considering the elevation gain and the bus service from the park n ride was helpful (not so much in the way down, but that’s my fault).
JesseSumrak - Aug 11, 2019 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
5 Tops
Climbed Flattop, Ptarmigan, Notchtop, Knobtop, and Gabletop. Due to weather, we decided to descend down Tourmaline Gorge. Bit of a scramble getting down with loose footing, but we made our way through the brush and hit Odessa Lake before the rain came down. Made our way back to Bear Lake Trail Head. Great outing!
BKiser90 - Aug 10, 2019 2:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
The Tops Traverse
Flattop, Ptarmigan, Notchtop, Knobtop, Gabletop all on a cloudy morning with my friend Jesse Sumrak.. Left Bear Lake trailhead at 5:00 a.m. The sunrise was stunning. There was no wind but lots of overcast. We descended down Tourmaline Gorge. We used the big chute that is just west of Gabletop. Near Tourmaline Lake we climbed the little ridge just south of the lake and traversed over to the other small drainage in the gorge. Eventually we found some cairns but they were not that helpful. Popped out on the west side of Odessa Lake and made our way back to the trail and to Bear Lake. The rain started coming down while we were at Odessa around 9: 30/10:00. It rained the whole way back to Bear Lake. We were soaked.
cascadescrambler - Aug 4, 2019 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 1962
Day hike
First time I ever experienced altitude sickness (pounding headache)
Was going to attempt Hallett and Otis but thunderstorms turned me around!
kronshage3 - Jul 11, 2017 8:25 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2017
From Bear Lake TH
Been on this mountain many times while climbing other peaks along the Continental Divide. Short and simple.
PapaBanucci - Jul 4, 2016 7:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2016
Nice Day
Great trail. 100 yards of snow surface to cross. Soupy at the top.
damgaard - Oct 8, 2015 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2015
Otis, Hallett, Flattop
Made a roundtrip from Bear Lake Trailhead via Otis (east ridge), Hallett and Flattop. Clear and sunny, but strong and cold wind on the summit. Great day though :)
16herdmanr - Feb 8, 2015 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2014
We did a loop up Tyndall glacier and then descended via standard route.
markhallam - Jun 25, 2014 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 1988
A long time ago
Reached summit in mist - and then had to run for it when an electric storm appeared - the first time I experienced a storm making my hair stand on end (back in the days when I had hair).
Bill Reed - Jun 18, 2014 10:43 am Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2014
Fnally, after all these years!
Guided by my friend, Nelson, who's done this one many times before. Much snow in the trees above the Odessa Lake junction. Beautiful day !! No storms but much wind on top. Snow still covers all ranges that are visible from the summit-Gore, Flattops, Never Summers and Mummies.
A great day to be up there!!
BradBartick - May 4, 2014 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2014
Weekday is best
Nice easy route
JBR1969 - Mar 10, 2014 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2010
In the Snow
RMNP had been socked in the previous week by a snowstorm. Lucked out and had blue bird weather for my hike.
theREALCarpeDM - Jul 5, 2023 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2023
Climbed 3 timesCan't recall the 1st time; it was pre-2010, cold but not winter, I think
2nd: 2/28/21 with Shawn, Darin, Amy, and Brad McQ. High wind, VERY cold!
3rd: 4/9/23 solo, high wind
sierramtngoat - Jun 26, 2022 8:33 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2022
Via Flat Top Mountain TrailThe plan was to climb Hallett and Otis but the weather had been bad all morning and was too unstable to continue past Flattop. Lightning and hail were Flattop's parting shots. There didn't apear to be summit marker, despiste RMNP's recognition on the summit; my vote would be one the big rocks towards the SW.
technicolorNH - Aug 25, 2019 9:47 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2019
First of fourTook two hours and ten minutes by the standard route. The trail is well built and pretty gradual considering the elevation gain and the bus service from the park n ride was helpful (not so much in the way down, but that’s my fault).
JesseSumrak - Aug 11, 2019 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
5 TopsClimbed Flattop, Ptarmigan, Notchtop, Knobtop, and Gabletop. Due to weather, we decided to descend down Tourmaline Gorge. Bit of a scramble getting down with loose footing, but we made our way through the brush and hit Odessa Lake before the rain came down. Made our way back to Bear Lake Trail Head. Great outing!
BKiser90 - Aug 10, 2019 2:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
The Tops TraverseFlattop, Ptarmigan, Notchtop, Knobtop, Gabletop all on a cloudy morning with my friend Jesse Sumrak.. Left Bear Lake trailhead at 5:00 a.m. The sunrise was stunning. There was no wind but lots of overcast. We descended down Tourmaline Gorge. We used the big chute that is just west of Gabletop. Near Tourmaline Lake we climbed the little ridge just south of the lake and traversed over to the other small drainage in the gorge. Eventually we found some cairns but they were not that helpful. Popped out on the west side of Odessa Lake and made our way back to the trail and to Bear Lake. The rain started coming down while we were at Odessa around 9: 30/10:00. It rained the whole way back to Bear Lake. We were soaked.
cascadescrambler - Aug 4, 2019 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 1962
Day hikeFirst time I ever experienced altitude sickness (pounding headache)
ToTheHeights - Feb 13, 2018 7:59 pm
Flattop07/15 w/Cory Martin
captain.ron - Jul 23, 2017 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2017
Great hike just beat the weatherWas going to attempt Hallett and Otis but thunderstorms turned me around!
kronshage3 - Jul 11, 2017 8:25 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2017
From Bear Lake THBeen on this mountain many times while climbing other peaks along the Continental Divide. Short and simple.
PapaBanucci - Jul 4, 2016 7:14 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2016
Nice DayGreat trail. 100 yards of snow surface to cross. Soupy at the top.
damgaard - Oct 8, 2015 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2015
Otis, Hallett, FlattopMade a roundtrip from Bear Lake Trailhead via Otis (east ridge), Hallett and Flattop. Clear and sunny, but strong and cold wind on the summit. Great day though :)
16herdmanr - Feb 8, 2015 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2014
FlattopBeautiful trail. Easy hike
chicagotransplant - Sep 28, 2014 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2014
Divide TraverseContinental Divide traverse from Flattop to Powell and back down Flattop trail to Bear Lake.
Alex Wood - Sep 15, 2014 1:45 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2014
Along the CDLHiked this while on the Continental Divide Loop
MadGrad96 - Aug 14, 2014 8:32 am
Flattop and HallettWe did a loop up Tyndall glacier and then descended via standard route.
markhallam - Jun 25, 2014 4:35 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 1988
A long time agoReached summit in mist - and then had to run for it when an electric storm appeared - the first time I experienced a storm making my hair stand on end (back in the days when I had hair).
Bill Reed - Jun 18, 2014 10:43 am Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2014
Fnally, after all these years!Guided by my friend, Nelson, who's done this one many times before. Much snow in the trees above the Odessa Lake junction. Beautiful day !! No storms but much wind on top. Snow still covers all ranges that are visible from the summit-Gore, Flattops, Never Summers and Mummies.
A great day to be up there!!
BradBartick - May 4, 2014 6:34 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2014
Weekday is bestNice easy route
JBR1969 - Mar 10, 2014 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2010
In the SnowRMNP had been socked in the previous week by a snowstorm. Lucked out and had blue bird weather for my hike.
chicagotransplant - Jan 22, 2014 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2002
With HallettClimbed it on a vacation to Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park when I still lived in Chicago. Also climbed Hallett.