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Bear Peak Out and Back

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.6 (152)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. NCAR
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“A must-do hike for Boulder locals and visitors alike! ”

Brian Smith
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5.7

Miles

9.2

KM

Out and Back

8,342' 2,543 m

High

6,103' 1,860 m

Low

2,541' 774 m

Up

2,540' 774 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

69%

Max Grade (35°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

From South Boulder, this hike will take you to the top of Bear Peak (8,459 ft.) and back - an elevation gain of over 2,700 feet! Hikers are rewarded with an amazing workout and some of the best views around! Get ready for about six miles of beautiful, leg-burning trail and a great time.

Description

From the NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) parking area, start out on the NCAR Trail. The trail climbs a gentle slope up and over the small ridge behind NCAR via a wide dirt and gravel path. The trail ends at the Mesa Trail where you'll turn left.

The Mesa Trail initially depends but only for a short while. After about 1 mile into the hike the grade begins to steepen as you climb up the wide Mesa Trail. At the next junction, stay left on Mesa Trail as Bear Canyon Trail continues straight. Power up another tenth of a mile or so of Mesa Trail and look for the Fern Canyon Trail to diverge from the right side of the road.

Fern Canyon climbs into the woods through a series of switchbacks and water bar stairs. After a short period, the grade backs off significantly - but don't be fooled. After Shanahan - Mesa Trail merges from the left, Fern Canyon gets very steep. Enjoy increasingly dramatic views as you ascend and check out the cool rock formations of the Boulder Flatirons.

Eventually, the trail will level out in a saddle and you'll be presented with amazing views of Bear Canyon, The Flatirons, Green Mountain, Boulder and the Continental Divide. This is a great place for a snack, but don't dwell for too long as the views only get better.

Follow the trail to the south for the final approach to Bear Peak. From here, Fern Canyon turns into more of a rock scramble then anything, but it's a great workout and the summit is well worth the work. When you pop out at the top, you'll know it. Scramble up the boulder field to the true summit and take in the 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see as far south as Pike's Peak and west to Winter Park and the Continental Divide. To the north you might glimpse Longs Peak, Lyons and Fort Collins, and to the east it seems like you can see to Kansas City.

From here, scramble off of the boulder field summit and begin the technical descent back the way you came. To add more mileage and lessen the grade (slightly) on the way down, you could follow the Bear Peak West Ridge trail to the Bear Canyon Trail.

Another great option from the summit of Bear Peak is to continue on to South Boulder Peak. The views from Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak are incredible. On clear days (which are most), it's possible to see the front range all the way from Pike's Peak to Long's Peak. When you get to the top of Bear Peak, you're going to want to scramble up the rocks to get the good views. Then you can head back towards the trail but instead of heading back the way you came, you'll notice the trail continues around the peak and you can take the ridge all the way to South Boulder Peak as well.

Flora & Fauna

This route ventures through various ecosystems along the way. Starting in chaparral vegetation, you quickly transition into a densely forested environment before finishing in a rocky and exposed mountain top setting.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Shared By:

Brian Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 152 votes

#1

in NCAR

#13

Overall
  4.6 from 152 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in NCAR

#7

in Colorado

#13

Overall
92 Views Last Month
71,073 Since Dec 24, 2014
Difficult Difficult
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0%
7%
5%
87%
1%
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Photos

Bear Peak panorama
Jun 27, 2015 near Boulder, CO
The Continental Divide from Bear Peak in Boulder, CO
Aug 17, 2019 near Boulder, CO
Looking down toward Boulder from Bear Peak. Boulder is under that lovely cloud, somewhere.
Sep 2, 2019 near Boulder, CO
Looking northward from Bear Peak, with Boulder under a cloud.
Sep 2, 2019 near Boulder, CO
Looking south
Jul 7, 2015 near Boulder, CO
NCAR Trail in the fall.
Nov 25, 2020 near Boulder, CO

4 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 66 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 19, 2024
Chris R
5.7mi — 2h 03m
Jan 28, 2024
Private User
Jul 3, 2023
Cece Bremner
Did this as my birthday hike with my husband & my parents. A very well maintained trail with amazing views. Not too many people for the long weekend.
Jun 4, 2023
Kristen Brenner
Longer expected. Clocked 6.75 miles from the NCAR parking lot to top and back. Beautiful rainy day with Smash, BenG, Marie, Dori and Lyra 6.8mi — 4h 00m
Jul 12, 2022
Philip Roddenberry
5.7mi — 4h 30m
Jul 11, 2022
Michael X
Jun 16, 2022
Tom Schulz
May 19, 2022
Emily Stai
4h 00m

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