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A well-traveled trail connecting Bear Lake, Odessa Lake and Fern Lake.


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Map Key

4.0

Miles

6.4

KM

Point to Point

10,649' 3,246 m

High

9,472' 2,887 m

Low

1,182' 360 m

Up

644' 196 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail can be accessed from either the Fern Lake Trailhead or the Bear Lake Trailhead. If coming from the Fern Lake Trailhead, follow the Fern Lake Trail for its entire length until you reach a junction with this trail, just before Fern Lake. Coming from Bear Lake, navigate to the Flattop Mountain Trail and follow it to the west until you see this trail branch off to the right (north).

This trail acts as a connector between Bear Lake and Fern/Odessa Lakes. Traveling from North to South, the trail ascends steeply from the junction with Fern Lake Trail to Fern Lake. This is one of the most visited lakes in the park and with good reason. The lake sits in awe of the staggering rock formation known as Little Matterhorn.

Continue the hike up the trail and you'll arrive at Odessa Lake, which is even closer to the Little Matterhorn Formation. From Odessa Lake, the trail begins climbing the northern flank of Joe Mills Mountain. As you round the mountain and begin to head northeast, the views of Notch Top Mountain will be gorgeous. At this point, it's all downhill to an intersection with Flattop Mountain Trail just above Bear Lake.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Smith

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 10 votes

#11

in Bear Lake

#7215

Overall
  4.4 from 10 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#11

in Bear Lake

#534

in Colorado

#7,215

Overall
8 Views Last Month
3,642 Since Jan 14, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

18%
0%
73%
0%
9%
0%

Photos

Landscape
Jan 19, 2015 near Grand Lake, CO
View of Odessa Lake taken near Lake Helene
Apr 22, 2019 near Grand Lake, CO
Lake Odessa
May 4, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
Fish eye view of Fern Lake.
May 23, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
Fern Lake looking at Notchtop Mountain
May 4, 2015 near Estes Park, CO
View of Odessa Lake from Lake Helene.
Jun 24, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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