Rocky Mountain National Park’s landscape has been shaped by the cyclical growth, recession and reconstitution of glaciers over many millennia. Glacial movement grinds the land beneath it, depositing till on its margins that accumulate on ridges called moraines. Bierstadt Lake fills a shallow depression in a lateral moraine north of the Bear Lake Road corridor. A moderately steep climb on well-crafted switchbacks leads from Bear Lake Road through open hillsides to a heavily wooded moraine-top and Bierstadt Lake. A one mile loop trail continues around the lake with numerous access points and stunning panoramas of the Continental Divide throughout.

Tall grasses and sedges line the south shore of Bierstadt Lake

Morning reflections in Bierstadt Lake

Ducks and other waterfowl are a common sight at Bierstadt Lake

A snowshoe hare feeds on the lake's perimeter

Excellent views of Thatchtop Mountain and the Bear Lake Valley en route to Bierstadt Lake

Rangy panoramas of the Continental Divide from the east end of Bierstadt Lake

Otis Peak (12,486’), Hallet Peak (12,713’), Flattop Mountain (12,324’), Ptarmigan Point (12,363’) and Notchtop Mountain (12,129’) from the lake's east shore

Aromatic sage and aspen line switchbacks leading to the moraine top and lake basin

Find solitude along the one-mile Bierstadt Lake Loop Trail

Sunrise on the Continental Divide from Bierstadt Lake