Bear Hill Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Bear Hill Trail departs from the Giant Forest Museum, climbs Bear Hill, and passes many Giant Sequoia Trees before emerging near Moro Rock. The trail departs from the Alta Trail, a short distance from the Museum Store. Climbing immediately up the hill via a wide dirt track, the trail quickly starts to leave behind the crowds from the Big Tree Trail and Museum behind.

As you climb the hill, the trail passes many Sequoia trees and passes under a fallen giant, allowing you to see how truly massive these trees are. Around half a mile, you reach the top of Bear Hill where the Old Bear Hill Road Trail cuts across the trail. Follow the trail to the right for a short distance before the Bear Hill trail breaks off to the left. From here, you'll probably only encounter a couple of people until you reach the road, making this a great hike to get away from the crowds that can flood the area.

The trail rolls for about two-tenths of a mile before leveling out as it winds its way toward the Moro Rock Trail. The trail is shaded thanks to the forest, making this a good hike to do even during the heat of the day. You'll see wildflowers blooming along the trail, deer and black bears may be feeding in the forest around you, and of course the Giant Sequoias. You'll pass sequoias that have fallen and sequoias damaged by fires over the years.

The trail passes by the Colonel Young Tree and short trail that leads to the Auto Log tree. The Colonel Young Tree is named after Charles Young, a young captain of the Buffalo Soldiers who patrolled the park. He is recognized as the first African American national park superintendent for his service in the area in 1903. The trail moves away from the road for about two-tenths of a mile before finally dropping down to Crescent Meadow Road.

Here, you can cross the street and follow the Moro Rock Trail to the left to get to Moro Rock and then follow the Soldiers Trail back to the Museum. If that isn't appealing, you can go to the right and work your way back to the Museum via the Moro Rock Trail or turn around and retrace your steps.

Like most of the trails in this area, you are hiking through a forest of Giant Sequoia trees. Wildflowers can be seen on the side of the trail in the spring/summer time. You'll pass close to the Auto Log as well as the Colonel Young Tree, named after Charles Young, the first African American national park superintendent.

Birds can be heard and seen throughout the hike, and the usual cast of characters can be seen in the woods: deer, black bears, squirrels, chipmunks.