Lake Helene
A quiet subalpine lake beneath the jagged spire of Notchtop Mountain, just off the busy Bear Lake trails.
About Lake Helene
Lake Helene is a small subalpine lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, tucked below Notchtop, Knobtop and Flattop mountains. It sits just off the Odessa Lake/Fern Lake trail from Bear Lake, about 3.2 miles in, and sees a fraction of the traffic of Emerald or Dream Lake.
The hike runs roughly 6.5 miles round trip with around 1,300 feet of gain. The trail climbs through aspen and dense pine up the Mill Creek drainage, offering looks back toward Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds before topping out near 10,700 feet. The turnoff to the lake is an unmarked path on the left; if the main trail starts dropping steeply right toward Odessa Lake, you have gone too far.
Once there, Notchtop's sheer face dominates the north shore, with Flattop to the south and Ptarmigan Point behind.
A 6.1-mile out-and-back via the Fern Lake Trail near Estes Park, popular enough that you'll share it with other hikers, runners, and horses most of the year. It runs well from May through October, with a real shot at wildlife sightings along the way — keep a telephoto handy for elk in the meadows well before you reach the lake itself.
History
Lake Helene lies in the glaciated basin at the head of the Fern Creek and Odessa drainages, in country carved by Pleistocene glaciers flowing off the Continental Divide. The surrounding summits all top 12,000 feet: Notchtop Mountain (12,129 ft), Knobtop (12,331 ft), Flattop (12,324 ft) and Ptarmigan Point (12,363 ft). The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park, established in 1915. Nearby, the single-site Sourdough backcountry campsite offers an overnight option with a wilderness permit.
Photographing Lake Helene
Best light: Sunrise is the shot: the east-facing cliffs of Notchtop catch alpenglow first while the lake below stays calm. Mid to late September adds gold from the aspen groves near the start of the trail, and July brings wildflowers in the meadows around the lake.
Shots to look for
- Notchtop's spire reflected in Lake Helene at sunrise, with shoreline boulders as foreground (16-35mm)
- Vertical frame of Notchtop with the outlet stream leading in
- Looking back toward Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds from openings on the climb
- Pika and boulder-field details at the lake with a 100-400mm
Photo tips
- For sunrise, start in the dark with a headlamp; the unmarked turnoff is easy to miss
- A Timed Entry+ permit is needed for the Bear Lake Road corridor during the main season unless you arrive outside permit hours
- The free park shuttle is an option when the Bear Lake lot is full, but it won't run early enough for sunrise
- Drones are prohibited in national parks
- Snow lingers on this north-facing climb into early summer; bring traction in June
Know before you go
- Bear Lake Road requires a Timed Entry+ reservation during peak season; check NPS for current dates and hours
- Park entrance fee required (America the Beautiful pass accepted)
- No dogs on trails in Rocky Mountain National Park
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; be off exposed ground by early afternoon
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Lake Helene hike?
About 6.5 miles round trip from Bear Lake Trailhead with roughly 1,300 feet of gain.
Is the Lake Helene trail marked?
The final spur to the lake is unmarked. Watch for a narrow path on the left about 3.2 miles in, before the main trail bends right and drops toward Odessa Lake.
Do I need a reservation for Lake Helene?
During peak season the Bear Lake Road corridor requires a Timed Entry+ permit during posted hours. Check the NPS timed-entry page for the current year.
Featured in: Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado · Best Alpine Lake Hikes in Colorado
Combine it with
Odessa Lake · Two Rivers Lake · Bear Lake · Emerald Lake
More Colorado spots
Turquoise Lake Trail · Red Mountain Pass · Garden of the Gods
Sources & further reading: rockymountainhikingtrails.com · home.nps.gov · denvergazette.com. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.