Boulder's Main Peaks SERIES: Bear Peak

February 22, 2021

Boulder's Main Peaks SERIES: Bear Peak

Your Guide to Bear Peak:

Although its more popular to hike Bear Peak in the summer, I can rest assure that it is a doable hike year round as long as you plan accordingly. Meaning if its sub-freezing temps dress accordingly, bring spikes if icy, layer up and bring water. There are many pros to hiking Bear in each season: seeing the wildflowers and feeling the warmth of summer, the fall colors emerging along Shanahan ridge, the quiet summits of winter and snow-dusted forests, the list goes on.

There are so many creative ways to ascend Bear, you can do a loop, an Out & Back, do a double to South Boulder Peak or Green Mountain, bushwhack your way through a non-trail. There's endless possibilities! Here are some of the more popular ways to approach Bear Peak:

1. Cragmoor Out and Back:

This is the shortest and steepest way to go. Starting at the trailhead off a neighborhood on Cragmoor Road (parking GPS here), you'll hike up through Shanahan Ridge past the Mesa Trail to what locals call "The Slab", a popular place for climbers. The trail naturally peels right and you'll pass over a small stream, take a switch back and continuing upwards passing a sign for Fern Canyon. Continue up on the steps all the way up the trail. It is fairly common to loose the trail between the Fern Canyon trail post before the saddle your first time. So if possible I'd recommend going with other's who know the route or using a trail app to navigate you through. This is a bit of a technical route, so prepare for some rock hoping and minor scrambling. Once you approach the saddle of Bear Peak, you'll see the protruding rock named Nebel Horn. Keep towards the left and scramble up to the top for the last half mile. I'd recommend taking some time at the top. To sit. To enjoy the views. To appreciate the nature and fresh air. To sip water or snack. Maybe take a nap before heading back down.

Total Distance: 4.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,680ft

Approximate Time: 2-4 hours depending on how fast you go.

2. Shanahan Ridge Out and Back:

This route is very similar to the one above but at a different parking location and adds about a mile roundtrip to the route. The extra distance is mellow terrain and not too technical, just more time hiking through Shanahan Ridge, you will want to stay straight continuing west on the Shanahan North Fork trail.

Parking at Shanahan Ridge

Total Distance: 5.34 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,700ft

Approximate Time: 2-4 hours depending on how fast you go.

3. Cragmoor /West Ridge Loop:

Starting at the Cragmoor Trail Head you can ascend the same way as described as the first option. If you choose for a longer hike, then you can loop down the West Ridge side of Bear Peak when at the summit. The trail will take you through an old fire burned site, and eventually back into the trees. This trail is fairly easy to follow and will take you down Bear Canyon. The only turn is a fork to the left that will lead you to Green Mountain, but you will want to continue down the trail through Bear Canyon. Shortly after a set of powerlines you'll be able to turn right onto the Mesa trail. It is a slight climb back onto Shanahan North-Fork to finish the loop. You will hike down to where you parked from there.

Distance: 7.60 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,935ft

Approximate Time: 2-4 hours (again depending on how fast you go).

Parking GPS

4. Bear Canyon Out & Back:

Starting here, you will head west on the Bear Canyon-NCAR trail. About a mile in there will be the Mesa trail sign to your right but continue straight. Shortly there after you'll cross a small bridge and veer left following the trail. The next fork is the Mesa trail/ Bear Canyon intersection. If you choose to go up the Bear Canyon, you'll take the west ridge trail to the top (this route is longer). Taking the left onto the Mesa trail, you'll shortly see a signpost for fern canyon. Take the right up Fern Canyon. As stated above, this is a bit of a technical route. Prepare for some rock hoping and minor scrambling. Once you approach the saddle of Bear Peak, you'll see the protruding rock named Nebel Horn. Keep towards the left and scramble up to the top for the last half mile. When coming down you'll take the same way back, turning left at the sign of fern canyon, right onto the mesa trail and down Bear Canyon-NCAR trail.

Distance: 5.73 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,731ft

Parking Area: Bear Canyon Trail Head

5. Bear Canyon Loop:

As stated above, starting from Bear Canyon-NCAR trail, you'll head west past the mesa trail sign to your right. At the next fork where the Mesa Trail is to the left, you will continue straight. This is the Bear Canyon trail. Continuing up you'll see a split off for Green-Bear trail and Bear-west ridge trail. Take the slight left onto Bear-West Ridge and follow through the trees. You'll come to an opened old burn area the last mile before getting to the top. Once at the top, you'll take the trail down Fern Canyon. Past the saddle of Fern Canyon, there will be a sign post for Shananhan-Mesa trail/Fern Canyon cut off. You will know you're there when you are going down a set of wooden trail stairs. You'll take a left here and continue down the mesa trail. Looping back to Bear Canyon-NCAR trail to where you began.

Elevation Gain: 7.9 miles

Distance: 2,792ft

Click here for parking trailhead

6. NCAR Out & Back:

This route is very similar to Bear Canyon Out and Back, but you will start at the NCAR parking lot. From there you will follow the NCAR trail to the mesa trail. This is about 0.74 miles to the Mesa Trail intersection. At this intersection, turn left and follow the Mesa trail to Bear Canyon-NCAR trail. Turn right here, and follow through with taking the left back onto the Mesa trail. You'll shortly see a signpost for Fern Canyon. Take the right up Fern Canyon. As stated above, this is a bit of a technical route. Prepare for some rock hoping and minor scrambling. Once you approach the saddle of Bear Peak, you'll see the protruding rock named Nebel Horn. Keep towards the left and scramble up to the top for the last half mile. When coming down you'll take the same way back, turning left at the sign of fern canyon, right onto the mesa trail and down Bear Canyon-NCAR trail, and left onto the Mesa trail to get back to the NCAR trail.

Elevation Gain: 5.75 miles

Total Distance: 2,789ft

Parking Lot GPS: NCAR parking lot

7. The SOBO Bear Double:

It is common for hikers tackling any of these routes to want to add on 1.14 miles to get to another one of Boulder's Major Peaks: South Boulder Peak. This mountain reaches a peak elevation of 8,523ft. From Bear Peak you'll scramble over the rocks you came up, and take a slight left to South Boulder peak with a pretty direct route. Coming back the same way it will add about an extra 500ft of elevation gain to your hike, and a great view of Bear Peak from a new angle.