Flattop Mountain's 12,324' summit is more aptly described as a long saddle on the Continental Divide. A strenuous climb on well-kept trails leads through diverse forests and open tundra to the summit, with magnificent views and good wildlife viewing throughout:

The trail rises quickly over Bear Lake through young aspen to the Odessa Lake - Mill Creek Basin Trail split (.45 miles : 9,725'). It climbs steadily in a spruce-fir forest to the Flattop Mountain Trail (1.0 mile : 9,965'), which steepens considerably on a rough, winding path.

Thick timber breaks at Dream Lake Overlook with good views up Glacier Gorge, and of famed Keyboard of the Winds on Longs Peak's west ridge (1.6 miles : 10,470'). Steady, steep climbing resumes in a thinning forest to Emerald Lake Overlook (2.9 miles : 11,357'), which offers a revealing look over the valley carved by Tyndall Glacier, one of five active glaciers in the Park.

Grades moderate as you transition through treeline (2.5 - 3.0 miles : 11,440'), where the forest is gradually reduced to thin bands of willow and krummholz.

Krummholz - a German word meaning twisted wood - describes the stunted, irregular growth patterns of trees in the ecological transition zone between subalpine forests and alpine tundra. Poor soil, thin air, strong winds, and extreme weather limit growth at these elevations. Still, the tundra's grasses, lichens, and wildflowers support marmot, pika, ptarmigan, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat.

Grades steady on a well-defined path into the open tundra. Tread carefully over snowfields, and use cairns for guidance. The trail reaches a hitchrack (3.9 miles, 12,135'), from which you'll have an up-close look at Hallett Peak (12,713') and Tyndall Glacier.

The trail scales a perennial snowfield over the hitchrack and levels on the final run up to Flattop Mountain (4.3 miles : 12,324'). No sign marks the summit, however the Flattop Mountain Trail - Tonahutu Trail junction is generally recognized as your final destination.

This expansive flat along the Continental Divide affords a rare opportunity to explore the tundra with relative ease. A good map will help you identify landmarks such as Hallett Peak, Otis Peak (12,486'), Taylor Peak (13,153'), Longs Peak (14,259'), Notchtop Mountain (12,129'), Ptarmigan Point (12,363'), and portions of the Mummy Range, Never Summer Range and Grand Lake area.