Bear Creek Trip
Date
COST
difficulty
elevation gain & Loss
1800ft (req.)
3,300ft (optional)
Total mileage
16 (req.)
20-30 (optional)
POINTS OF INTEREST
DETAILS
ABOUT YOUR TRIP
This is a lightly trafficked out and back trail located close to Dolores, CO. The first day is a 8-mile hike along Bear Creek (alive with native cutthroat trout) to our base camp along the creek (elevation gain 1,800 feet). The next day is spent enjoying a wonderful day hike along the creek and up to the ridge to the Colorado Trail with unbelievable views of the San Juan Mountain Range. The second layover day is a hike along Bear Creek to the falls. The last day is the hike back along Bear Creek to our starting point (elevation loss 1,800 feet). For additional information: Bear Creek Trail
Location
Located near our ranch in Dove Creek, Colorado, this area is a true darling, moderately trafficked by experienced adventurers. Nestled in the gorgeous, historic Mancos/Dolores region this is an exceptional wilderness locale. This area encompasses a 17-mile loop hike portions of which include the Colorado Trail, Grindstone Trail, and Bear Creek Trail. The Colorado Trail has wonderful high tundra hiking. Being above timberline, the views of the spectacular San Juan Mountain range are unrivaled. Bear Creek is renowned for beautiful high mountain streams alive with native cutthroat trout. Sprinkled with red cliffs and waterfalls, this is one of the finest most complete sections of the southwest Rockies.
RESOURCES
GEAR AND AGREEMENTS
LOGISTICS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our trips originate in the high mountain town of Silverton, Colorado (elevation 9,316 feet) which is a historic mining town boasting gorgeous Victorian architecture. It’s renowned for its mountainous beauty and vivid alpine landscape, truly a postcard setting. Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado it’s self-contained with a wide variety lodging options. Whether budget conscious, or looking for something higher end, there are accommodations suited for all tastes. The dining scene is also nicely varied with many choices (www.silvertoncolorado.com).
It is highly recommended that clients come at least a few days ahead of time to acclimate to the altitude. The nearby local airports are either Durango La Plata CO (DRO) or Montrose Telluride, CO (MTJ), and the closest major airports are Albuquerque International, NM (ABQ) or Denver International, CO. (DEN). There are many activities the surrounding areas provide, including but not limited to: exceptional hiking, jeep or ATV rentals to explore the remote high country, Mesa Verde National Park, Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton train ride, mountain bike rentals and alpine slide at Purgatory, and outings to the nearby towns of Ouray (home of the famous natural hot springs!), the plush resort town of Telluride, and the historic town of Durango.
Our headquarters are located in Silverton at 1708 Greene St. There is an orientation meeting the night before the trip at 6 PM where the clients meet their guides, go over the details of the trip; they also receive their panniers (llama bags) which they take back to their hotel to pack up their gear that evening. The next morning at 8:30 the trip departs from the HQ (parking for clients cars available) to the trailhead. The trips return at 2-3 PM on the last day.
