Otis Peak (12,486') caps an arête along the Continental Divide between Chaos Canyon (north), and Andrews Glacier (south). No maintained trail reaches Otis Peak, however a well-established x-country route runs south from Flattop Mountain across open tundra to the base, where a moderate scramble leads to the summit.

A perennial snow field just before reaching the summit of Flattop Mountain (12,324')

Although major glaciation took place at least 4 different times, only the last two (Pinedale and Bull Lake) left much evidence

A yellow bellied marmot in front of Hallett Peak (12,713')

Looking west at Andrews Peak from Hallett Peak

During the Rocky Mountain Uplift, giant blocks of ancient crystalline rock, overlain by younger sedimentary rock, broke and were thrust upward

Taylor Peak (13,153') is a recognizable beacon from the jagged summit of Otis Peak

Aerial view of Emerald Lake from the Flattop Mountain Trail

The summit of Flattop Mountain is a broad expanse of beautiful alpine tundra encased by some of the park's nicest peaks

Marmots inhabit the alpine ecosystem and their calls can be heard often before they are seen

The Flattop Mountain Trail reaches treeline shortly after 11,000' - Longs Peak an ever-present force in the background

Looking across the top of Tyndall Glacier at Hallett Peak, with Longs Peak in the distance

The Flattop Mountain Trail is lined with flowers approaching the snow field which leads to the summit

Colorado Columbine flourish along the Flattop Mountain Trail - it is also the Colorado state flower

Longs Peak(14,259') the tallest mountain in all of Rocky Mountain, looms large from Otis Peak

Lake Haiyaha lies at the bottom of Chaos Canyon - 'Haiyaha' is a Ute word meaning 'rock'

The trail passes through the final vestiges of treeline around 11,250' - after which the trail is entirely exposed to the elements

Hallet Peak seen from the top of Chaos Canyon - mear the base of Otis Peak

Two large bull elk feed in the early morning near the Bear Lake Trailhead

Otis Peak with Longs Peak in the background

An aggressive marmot sticks out his tongue at passing hikers on the Flattop Mountain Trail

A hiker climbs the final difficult talus field to Otis Peak

A social trail from Hallett Peak to Otis Peak should provide only short term guidance as it runs parallel to steep drops

Andrews Glacier - seen from the summit of Otis Peak

Wildflowers grow in the alpine meadows atop Flattop Mountain

Visitors use the same routes traversed by American Indians for thousands of years