Bierstadt Lake (9,470′), Front Range
Bierstadt Lake sits atop a forested moraine, which is a ridge composed of material left behind thousands of years ago by receding glaciers. The lake was formed when a dam was made from glacial debris deposits. Water from the lake drains into Mill Creek within the Mill Creek basin, a flat valley with a scenic meadow.
The lake’s east end provides the best look at the Continental Divide, with standouts such as Otis Peak (12,486′), Hallet Peak (12,713′), Flattop Mountain (12,324′), Ptarmigan Point (12,363′) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129′).
Trail Stats
- Trailhead: Bierstadt Lake
- Round trip: 3.2 miles / 5.1 km
- Elevation: 8,904′- 9,470′ / 2,714 m – 2,886 m
- County: Larimer
- Agency: National Park Service
- Nat’l Park: Rocky Mountain
Trail Pictures
Bear Lake Rd below winding it’s way to Glacier Gorge
Bear Lake Rd below winding it’s way to Glacier Gorge
View west from the switchback trail
View west from the switchback trail
View of Mt Meeker, Longs Peak, and Thatchtop Mountain
View of Mt Meeker, Longs Peak, and Thatchtop Mountain
View of the Continental Divide from the trail
View of the Continental Divide from the trail
View to the east from the trail
View to the east from the trail
Northeastern view of Bierstadt Lake
Northeastern view of Bierstadt Lake
Notchtop Mountain in the center
Notchtop Mountain in the center
View northwest from the lake
View northwest from the lake
Spring melt has started
Spring melt has started
20220424_120759
Snowy Otis Peak, Hallet Peak, and Flattop Mountain
Bierstadt Lake surrounded by a heavy forest
Bierstadt Lake surrounded by a heavy forest
The forest surrounding Bierstadt Lake
The forest surrounding Bierstadt Lake
View of Longs Peak from Bierstadt Lake
View of Longs Peak from Bierstadt Lake
Lunch with a view
Lunch with a view
Shoreline of Bierstadt Lake
Shoreline of Bierstadt Lake
Chipmunk investigating the intruder
Chipmunk investigating the intruder
Chipmunks are common in the park
Chipmunks are common in the park
View along the northern shoreline
View along the northern shoreline
On top of the moraine heading to Bierstadt Lake
On top of the moraine heading to Bierstadt Lake
Deep snow in the woods in late April
Deep snow in the woods in late April
Grreat views west along the Bierstadt trail
Grreat views west along the Bierstadt trail
Found along the trail
Found along the trail
GPX with Elevation
Video Tour
Trail Directions
An uphill 1.4-mile (2.3 km) trail with switchbacks that begins at the Bierstadt Lake Trailhead. A 0.6-mile (0.97 km) trail encircles the subalpine lake, which has a sandy beach along the eastern portion, offering the most spectacular views.
Most of the elevation gain occurs in the first three-quarters of a mile. You enter a pine forest which turns to sage with unobstructed views as you gain elevation. At the top of the moraine the trail transitions back into a dense forest again. The trail gets relatively flat as you continue to the lake.
Trailhead Directions