Lake Helene–Ptarmigan Tarn, 8 lakes
11.6 mi · ▲ 2,527 ft · 5 hr 8 min
Lake Helene–Ptarmigan Tarn, 8 lakes is an 11.6-mile out-and-back in Rocky Mountain National Park near Beaver Point, CO. The route passes Bierstadt Lake, Marigold Pond, Two Rivers Lake and Lake Helene before reaching Ptarmigan Tarn at the turnaround, 5.8 miles in. It climbs 2,527 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 31/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lake Helene–Ptarmigan Tarn, 8 lakes
11.6 mi · ▲ 2,527 ft · 5 hr 8 min
Elevation 8,631–10,961 ft
Out & Back · Rocky Mountain National Park
Trailhead: Park & Ride Trailhead · 40.32894, -105.60232
Weather Sep 4: Heavy drizzle, high 76°F / low 53° · precip 10% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:31 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: stop 84 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Bierstadt Moraine Trail, heading SW.
- 1.3 miPass Bierstadt Lake.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Bierstadt Lake Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Bear Lake-Bierstadt Trail, heading SW.
- 1.3 miContinue straight onto Flattop Mountain Trail, heading SW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Fern Lake Trail, heading NW.
- 1.4 miPass Marigold Pond.
- 0.2 miPass Two Rivers Lake.
- 0.2 miPass Lake Helene.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Lake Helene Trail, heading SW.
- 0.3 miPass Ptarmigan Tarn.
- 350 ftReach Lake Helene, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Fern Lake Trail, heading NE.
- 1.9 miContinue straight onto Flattop Mountain Trail, heading SE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Bear Lake-Bierstadt Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miBear left onto Bierstadt Lake Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Bierstadt Moraine Trail, heading NE.
- 1.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Transit-accessible: stop 84 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Park & Ride Trailhead Trailhead
- Sprague Lake & Bierstadt Moraine Trail 3.8 mi · ▲ 396 ft
- Emerald Lake–Dream Lake, 10 lakes 9 mi · ▲ 2,002 ft
- Sky Pond Viewpoint–The Loch, 10 sights 10.8 mi · ▲ 2,514 ft
- Blue Lake–Bear Lake, 9 sights 15.7 mi · ▲ 3,520 ft
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