Ascent time for FlatTop?

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Doctor No
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Doctor No »

mike offerman wrote:
Dark Helmet wrote:the road closes every morning at 9am until October 10th(?)
I believe that it is only closed to private vehicles heading toward Bear Lake at 9am. If you get to the construction area before 9am, you are allowed to drive to Bear Lake and back out anytime. If you get there after 9am, then a shuttle bus will take you up and back.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/b ... uction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That's correct - although the delays are significant, even in that case.
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ChrisRoberts
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by ChrisRoberts »

Dark Helmet wrote: I've always THOUGHT I could get up Flattop in 2-2.5hrs... and 1-1.5hrs to get down.


but I've seen several listings with the hike shown as 6hrs+...
I dont consider myself particularly fast, but I do it in 2.5-3 hours.
As far as Hallett, its worth the effort. By the time you pass the hitchrack on Flattop and make it to the summit you'll probably feel rested, since the final walkup is so flat. As far as second best views...I wouldnt say that, but there are some good ones if you havent been there before.

Earlier in the year I would have reccommended the Flattop-Hallett-Otis-Andrews Glacier route, but the glacier is pretty well melted out and I'd say an ice axe is required. Very dry summer and low snowpack.
Some rise, some fall, some climb to get to terrapin
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Dark Helmet
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Dark Helmet »

Doctor No wrote:
mike offerman wrote:
Dark Helmet wrote:the road closes every morning at 9am until October 10th(?)
I believe that it is only closed to private vehicles heading toward Bear Lake at 9am. If you get to the construction area before 9am, you are allowed to drive to Bear Lake and back out anytime. If you get there after 9am, then a shuttle bus will take you up and back.

http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/b ... uction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That's correct - although the delays are significant, even in that case.


have you confirmed that personally on-site? I saw two things on the NPS website that didn't quite jive and I was trying to be careful about it.
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mathguy
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by mathguy »

I was in RMNP a few weeks ago and the info posted by Doctor NO and mike offerman is correct.
Keep in mind that even if you beat the 9am closure (which by the way is only for private
vehicles; the Park shuttles still run), you should plan on taking about an hour to get
to Bear Lake because there will likely be delays in the construction zone (between Moraine
Park and the Glacier Basin parking area).

2.5 hours is probably a good average hiking time from Bear lake to Flattop. +1 on the
posts that suggest continuing to Hallett. I like Flattop, but it's a bit anti-climactic
as a final destination. Hallett Peak offers some really nice views.
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Dark Helmet
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Dark Helmet »

awesome news... if I hit the top of Bear Lake Road at 5:30, thinking I should make the TH by 6, and be up to Hallett and down by 10:30 or 11, and back to the cabin by noon.... wife can be without the car for the morning...



srsly, many many thanks...


unless someone can suggest a 13er that's easier to access with a similar hike time.... :-k
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Floyd
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Floyd »

Dark Helmet wrote:awesome news... if I hit the top of Bear Lake Road at 5:30, thinking I should make the TH by 6, and be up to Hallett and down by 10:30 or 11, and back to the cabin by noon.... wife can be without the car for the morning...



srsly, many many thanks...


unless someone can suggest a 13er that's easier to access with a similar hike time.... :-k
Do you want views or a 13er? The Glacier Basin peaks are much more aesthetic, but if you wanted a quick summit have you considered Lady Washington? If 12ers are on your radar, take a look at St. Vrain. Easy hike, nice views into Wild Basin.
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Dark Helmet
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Dark Helmet »

Floyd wrote:
Dark Helmet wrote:awesome news... if I hit the top of Bear Lake Road at 5:30, thinking I should make the TH by 6, and be up to Hallett and down by 10:30 or 11, and back to the cabin by noon.... wife can be without the car for the morning...



srsly, many many thanks...


unless someone can suggest a 13er that's easier to access with a similar hike time.... :-k
Do you want views or a 13er? The Glacier Basin peaks are much more aesthetic, but if you wanted a quick summit have you considered Lady Washington? If 12ers are on your radar, take a look at St. Vrain. Easy hike, nice views into Wild Basin.
getting to glacier basin is just as bad as bear lake... If I do a different hike, it would be to avoid the construction. and it would need to be something safe for a neophyte to do solo while starting in iffy lighting conditions. I'm a hiker, not a climber.
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ChrisRoberts
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by ChrisRoberts »

Dark Helmet wrote: getting to glacier basin is just as bad as bear lake... If I do a different hike, it would be to avoid the construction. and it would need to be something safe for a neophyte to do solo while starting in iffy lighting conditions. I'm a hiker, not a climber.
A possibility would be Chapin-Chiquita-Ypsilon, while not great from a weather aspect(90% is above treeline) the views and solitude are much better than Flattop-Hallett (IMO)
Some rise, some fall, some climb to get to terrapin
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Dark Helmet
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Re: Ascent time for FlatTop?

Post by Dark Helmet »

I'll check it out...

my book doesn't have route info for that one, so I'll have to get the map out tomorrow...
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