18-Oct-2026, This is the second day in a row to do a long hike in the Rocky Mountains. I plan to hike the Flattop mountain, which in contrast to many sharp peak summits in Colorado, has a broad, flat, tundra-covered summit. The kind lady at the information kiosk advised me to do this hike if I am looking for a great challenge with beautiful scenery.

Thankfully I had a good night’s sleep this time and I am fully recovered. I feel rested and much better today, I am ready for another hike! I get up at six thirty in the morning, prepare my own breakfast, check out and I am on my way to the start of the hike. The hike starts at the Bear Lake within the national park. A timed entry pass is required and so is an entrance ticket to the national park. 32 USD is a small price to pay for such a magnificent national park in the Rocky Mountains. During the drive up I spot deer and a majestic large elk. At eight am I set out to go to the top. It seems that we will have another beautiful day ahead with sunny weather and clear blue skies.

The legs are still sore from yesterday, and a light headache is still lingering, so I just need to pace myself. The first few hours of the hike are amazing and my headache fades away while I am being surrounded by such beautiful nature in this subalpine forest with many Pine trees and Fir trees (the Christmas trees). The scenery is a bit different from yesterday, with very rocky paths and a steady and gradual climb. It just keeps going up and up and up. Dusky Grouse (ground birds) come to say hello and I see many chipmunks and squirrels foraging and munching on nuts and efficiently peel the skin of these nuts; I guess they are preparing for their winter hibernation. The animals here seem very peaceful and not too shy of humans, as long as you don’t disturb them you can get pretty close. Such a peaceful forest where the birds are singing.

Around 9.30 am I pass the tree line and the further I go up the colder and windier it gets. I am now completely exposed to the elements on the tundra, which is in sharp contrast with the warm comfortable air of the forest not that long ago. I zip everything up and close the hood of my jacket, the cold wind bites on my knuckles. Now I wish I wasn’t so stubborn as to leave my gloves in the car. Thinking I wouldn’t need them on such a sunny day. But the exposed area also means the views are open and from this high altitude, I can see far in the distance and it looks magnificent. I feel extremely small in these rugged mountains, but also very much alive. As I progress on the trail the snow becomes more evident and the white scenery looks special. You don’t often get to hike on snowy mountains with such beautiful weather. It’s fun and beautiful.

Upon reaching the summit — or at least I think I have because it’s hard to tell with such a flat summit, I see Hallett peak nearby and watch people going up the slope. It doesn’t look like a very difficult hike, and I estimate it will take me an extra hour to go to the top of that peak. I am really tempted to go, I certainly have the energy today and there is still enough daylight. I love going to the highest points as possible, but I need to talk myself out of it. I promised myself to do an “easy” hike today and to be back at the hotel early afternoon. This gives me time to write the draft of this story and to relax a bit at the hotel spa. This is something I have been looking forward to since yesterday. If I go to the top I won’t be able to do the things I want to do.

*But going to the top would be so cool though*. “Don’t do it Nick!”

I find a nice big boulder to sit on and enjoy the views; many white tops in the background and a large lake in the front down at the bottom. Absolute stunning. The cold wind is no joke but I decide to stay for a bit longer and enjoy my lunch here. I could go back down a bit where there is less wind, but I wouldn’t have such a view. For today’s lunch I have a salad; spring mix with grilled peach salad, goat cheese, a balsamic glaze and dried cranberry. I added chicken for extra protein. A-MA-ZINGLY tasteful salad with breathtaking views. The fact that my fingers are almost freezing off is not important in this moment. This is pure joy!

One day I would love to come back to these mountains when it’s a bit warmer and going for longer hikes with overnight camping. This area is perfect for multiple day hikes. When I finish lunch I contemplate once again to go up to Hallett peak, this mountain is calling me very strongly. “Don’t do it Nick!!!”

I have already accomplished my mission for today, this should be enough. Ohh.. the temptation.

It’s 11.30 sharp and I start my decent back to the car. On any other day I would undoubtedly hike further up the top. As I pass through the rocky tundra, I once again hear and see many small Pikas sitting on the rocks and calling each other. They are such cute animals.

I am looking forward to going to the hotel now. I will be staying at the Holiday Inn and I still need to check in. I will take a nice hot shower and use their hot tub to relax. This is exactly what I need after two days of hiking. In the evening I am looking forward to start writing the draft of this story.

To conclude the story and give you some facts of the hike: the Flattop mountain is about 3756 meters tall and I walked a distance of roughly 14 kilometers (round trip). The elevation gain is 869 meters from the park entrance to the summit. It is classified as a strenuous hike because it’s a steady uphill hike with steep switchbacks and alpine tundra terrain near the top.

And a 70 sec compilation video;

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