Odessa Lake Trail from Bear Lake

Odessa Lake Trail from Bear Lake is an 8.2-mile out-and-back that passes Lake Helene before dropping into Odessa Gorge and the lake basin. Allow about five to six hours. The route climbs from Bear Lake at 9,475 feet to nearly 10,700 feet, then drops toward Odessa Lake; you climb back over that ground on the return. Expect about 1,800 feet of total climbing at high altitude. This is a hard day hike, but the changing lakes and the big view down Odessa Gorge make it a rewarding one if you have the time and legs for it.

Start around Bear Lake’s eastern shore and take the trail toward Odessa Lake and Flattop Mountain. At roughly half a mile, turn left at the Bierstadt Lake and Mill Creek Basin junction. Just over a mile in, continue straight where Flattop Mountain Trail forks left. The climb begins through aspens and over the Bierstadt Moraine, then eases through the Mill Creek drainage. Views open south toward Longs Peak, the Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda Peak and Chiefs Head Peak.

At about 3.2 miles, watch for the faint, unmarked spur to Lake Helene on your left. The main trail turns sharply right and starts down into the gorge. Lake Helene makes a good turnaround for a still-substantial hike of about 6.4 miles round trip if you want to skip the steeper descent.

The descent is rocky and steep along the west side of Joe Mills Mountain. Look up at Notchtop Mountain’s north face for Grace Falls, then watch the view open to Little Matterhorn, The Gable and Odessa Lake below. Snow and ice can linger on this slope into late June or even July in some years, so check current trail conditions before committing to the drop.

The trail passes Odessa Lake; at about 4.3 miles, take the short spur back up to the lake’s shore and the backcountry campsite area. That’s the turnaround for this route. The Bear Lake approach is different from continuing one-way to Fern Lake Trailhead.

Bear Lake Trailhead is at the end of Bear Lake Road. Its parking area often fills by 9 a.m. year-round; use another established lot and the Bear Lake shuttle when it’s running rather than parking along the road, where vehicles can be towed. Timed-entry reservations may be required for Bear Lake Road during part of the year, so check the current access rules before you go. Ordinary pets aren’t allowed on park trails.