bear creek national recreation trail

Kind of scary but TOTALLY worth it!!! Some parts of the trail are pretty narrow and super rocky, I would NOT like to hike this trail when it's wet since it's mostly covered in slate. But the views are spectacular!

Good hiking on steep grade, breath taking views and to keep it all a safe experience tread carefully at narrow spots - drop offs are deep. Bring enough water, lunch and snacks for a day hike.This tripadvisor review fromBC Koch

Pretty much agree with the other reviewers. Bit of a slog to get up the first big hill but then the trail is great! I loved the narrow, ledge hiking parts of the trail. Only made it to the first mine but if I come back, I'll make more time to go further.

My husband and I like to hike, however, there is hiking and then there is hiking. This trail is for the very experienced. I was very intimidated with the steep inclines and narrow cliff trails. We turned back after 3 miles. If you are experienced and like to hike high, this is the trail for you. My only regret is I couldn't finish it, I'm sure it was a scream!

Worth doing--shady at lower elevations and then more exposure as you go up. Access from the highway makes it easy to do. You will see others on this trail--not wilderness.

Awesome views. First half mile is tough, especially on the return trip. The v Jew of Bear Creek Falls was awesome and seeing the old mine was great. Moderate hike most of the way. Take a hiking pole.

Stunning views, fantastic challenges and some slick and awesome switchbacks! Take plenty of fluids and climb slowly!

This trail is a slog for the first fifteen switchbacks, but up above the trail is fantastic: very scenic and narrow. Not a good trail for out of control children and dogs.

This is a spectacular hike that goes trough so many different and interesting rock levels. The views are awesome! There are a lot of steep edges so if you are afraid of heights be careful.

This trail was spectacular the entire trip. We went at the end of July, and it was wildflower season. They were sprinkled liberally all throughout the trail and we took loads of pictures. The first part of the trail is the hardest, lots of switchbacks going up, with shattered pieces of shale that sounds like the tinkling of glass as you walk. Once you get through this area, you are walking almost flat alongside cliffs with stunning views of the mountains and water down below.

I've hiked in national parks throughout the west and this trail rivals the hikes that you could find in any of them. The trail is incredibly well maintained. It begins with 13 switchbacks and then flattens out after the first mile. The send mile and a half is much more level, with a gradual climb as you go further up the Bear Creek canyon. We went to the Grizzly Mine which made for a round trip hike of 4.8 miles. The views were exceptional and the trail just hugged the cliff walls. It was thrilling to hike along the trail and view the waterfalls hundreds of feet below in the bear creek. Just watch your step, it's not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy "Angels Landing" in Zion National Park, then this is another trail for you. The trail continues into the Uncompahgre National Forest/Wilderness Area and connects with several other trails, but those are going to require some overnight backpacking for all except hikers who want to hike over 15 miles in one day at 12,000 feet. Not something that we were ready for. But our shorter excursion to the mine and back was amazing.

And I've been on a lot of hikes! Spectacular views, challenging ascent, very little traffic. My only recommendation is to wait until mid-June to go; we were stopped by snow a little after Grizzly Bear mine.