Boulder, CO: Bear Peak via Fern Canyon

Boulder, CO: Bear Peak via Fern Canyon

The climb on this 7.6-mile loop to Bear Peak is, well, a bear, gaining 2,800 stair-studded feet. The payoff: Long views into Boulder, Denver, and the Indian Peaks.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	13 Jun 2008 3:33:50 PM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	7.6 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3417 ft Total Loss: 3417 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
USGS Topo Map:	Eldorado Springs
Tags:	Boulder, Denver, Colorado
Rating:	3 rating(s) Rate it

Visible—and just a few minutes away—from downtown Boulder, 8,461-foot Bear Peak is a popular destination for dayhikers. The 5-7 hour hike begins at the Bear Canyon trailhead and intersects the Mesa Trail to begin a challenging clockwise loop. At mile 1.5 , turn up Fern Canyon--a stair-studded trail with sweeping views of the city and CU-Boulder (identified by the red-roof buildings). Stop at a rest-worthy saddle a half-mile from the peak. The final uphill stretch rolls over red-stained sedimentary rock to a big stone, requiring a hand-over-foot move to summit. After taking in 20-mile plus summit views of Denver and nearby Indian Peaks, descend via the West Ridge Trail (steep switchbacks for 0.3 miles). The trail drops into the forested floor of Bear Canyon then crosses its self-named creek a dozen times before turning south to complete the loop. Turn downhill to follow the Mesa Trail for a half-mile back to Bear Canyon. Retrace your steps to the trailhead.

-Mapped by Kristy Holland and Jeff Chow

TO TRAILHEAD: From Broadway St. and Table Mesa Dr., head west on Table Mesa Dr. In 0.7 mile, turn left at Lehigh St. In 0.1 mile, right onto Bear Mountain Dr. Go 0.4 mile to trailhead on the right.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

BPT01

Dist: 7.61 mi	Points: 614	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Bear Peak Trail

Points of Interest

FCT001

Location: 39.974651°, -105.266815°
There is a kiosk and plenty of parking at the trailhead on Bear Mountain Drive, but no toilet and no water.

FCT002

Location: 39.974834°, -105.267975°
After looping north across a small footbridge, turn left at this T-junction to join the main Bear Canyon trail.

FCT003

Location: 39.974949°, -105.276573°
Continue straight along the main path at the Y-junction.

FCT004

Location: 39.973835°, -105.283852°
Continue straight at the Y-junction toward Eldorado Springs. Ahead, the trail crosses Bear Creek.

FCT005

Location: 39.971424°, -105.283653°
Turn left at this Y-junction to begin the loop to Bear Peak via Fern Canyon. You'll cross this intersection again after another 4.7 miles of hiking (up Bear Peak and down the West Ridge trail).

FCT006

Location: 39.969830°, -105.283653°
Turn right at the Fern Canyon trail. Begin a long, steep, pine-shaded stair climb.

FCT007

Location: 39.965576°, -105.285210°
Turn right at the T-junction following the Fern Canyon trail.

FCT008

Location: 39.965118°, -105.288498°
Large boulders hover above a stone staircase. Continue climbing.

FCT009

Location: 39.965618°, -105.292091°
This windy saddle is 0.5 miles from the summit. Rest here before the final 1,000-foot climb.

FCT010

Location: 39.961021°, -105.294838°
The trail turns to large, reddish-colored rocks. Watch your step as you scramble along the ridge to the 8,411-foot summit.

FCT011

Location: 39.960278°, -105.295166°
There are two U.S. Geological Survey markers at the summit and 360-degree views of Boulder (NE), Denver (SE), Roosevelt National Forest (W) and Rocky Mountain National Park (NW).

FCT012

Location: 39.960491°, -105.295387°
Follow the trail signs toward Shadow Canyon to reach the summit's west side, turn right at the junction with the West Ridge trail.

FCT013

Location: 39.962704°, -105.300644°
The trail flattens and the remaining 4.5 miles are a gentle downhill toward the trailhead.

FCT014

Location: 39.974266°, -105.308052°
Cross Bear Creek and turn right at the Y-junction. For the next 1.4 miles, footbridges and rock-hops criss-cross the creek.

FCT015

Location: 39.972057°, -105.284424°
Turn right at this fenced high-voltage area to complete this loop and return to the Mesa Trail junction and waypoint 005.

Longs Peak

Location: 39.964844°, -105.293030°
Looking northeast, a view of 14,255-foot Longs Peak in Rocky Mountail National Park. © Jeff Chow

Bear Peak View

Location: 39.974770°, -105.267921°
A glimpse of Bear Peak, rising nearly 2,800 feet above the trailhead. © Jeff Chow

Flower

Location: 39.973209°, -105.273430°
In June, dozens of wildflower species bloom along the trail. © Jeff Chow

Wide trail

Location: 39.975174°, -105.280106°
The first (and last) mile of this route is realtivly a popular wide and gently-graded trail. © Jeff Chow

Northeastern trail view

Location: 39.971230°, -105.283569°
The entire trail offers good views of Boulder's foothills and the Flatirons. © Jeff Chow

Fern Canyon

Location: 39.968544°, -105.284538°
The trail levels briefly after the first steep climb in Fern Canyon. © Jeff Chow

Climbers

Location: 39.965435°, -105.286812°
There are many popular climbing routes near the trail. © Jeff Chow

Overlook view

Steep Trail

Trail Sign

Location: 39.960457°, -105.295120°
This sign directs hikers to three trails that converge near Bear Peak. This route climbs Fern Canyon and descends along the Bear Peak's western ridge. © Jeff Chow

U.S. Geological Survey

Bear Creek

Location: 39.974114°, -105.307770°
The trail criss-crosses the canyon floor and passes over Bear Creek almost a dozen times. © Jeff Chow

Aspen

Stream Crossing

Location: 39.971729°, -105.289894°
Some of the Bear Creek crossings require hopping over rocks.

Bear Canyon

Location: 39.971699°, -105.286118°
Hugging the contours of Bear Canyon above the creek, you'll see impressive rock formations on your left. © Jeff Chow

Trail

Location: 39.971825°, -105.285042°
Catch a glimpse of the trail leading to NCAR and the Bear Canyon trail that heads downhill to the trailhead. © Jeff Chow