Bear Peak is one of the best hikes in Boulder, Colorado. It is my favorite hike in Boulder and I run or hike it a couple of times each month – on its own or combined with another local peak.
All routes to the summit of Bear Peak offer a good challenge. This hike is hard for most people. Even when you are in great shape. If you are visiting, get acclimated with a few easier hikes lower down that connect with Mesa Trail.
From the East side, Shadow Canyon and Fern Canyon rise quickly and are steep trails. You will cover most of the elevation gain in just a few miles distance. Taking Bear Canyon up is a longer distance and more gradual ascent to Bear Peak summit. Yet, you will face a tough grind at the top of Bear Peak West Ridge trail. There is no easy way to the top of Bear Peak!
Why hike Bear Peak?
Why do I like this hike so much that I have now hiked it between 50-100 times?
I like the tough physical challenge that this summit offers. Hiking Bear Peak is a good way to train for high alpine hikes that I do in the Summer. The final rocky scramble to the top is always fun. And, the views West to the Continental Divide are endlessly satisfying! I could sit on Bear Peak and look out all day long. Also, if I’m up for the challenge, I like to add South Boulder Peak, Green Mountain, or both to my excursion.
Where to start – Bear Peak hike trailheads
Click the links below to see on Google Maps where the most popular trailheads to do the Bear Peak hike are located.
- NCAR – Good central starting point with the most parking
- Bear Canyon – Best if including Green Mountain
- Cragmoor Connector – Most direct route
- South Mesa – Best if including South Boulder Peak
- Enchanted Mesa – Best if you want to do all three local peaks: South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, and Green Mountain
When to hike Bear Peak
This hike is amazing all year round. This is why it is a focal point for my local hikes and I do it again and again. My favorite time to hike Bear Peak is in fresh fluffy snow the day after a good storm. You can rip up Fern Canyon in trail runners, gaiters, and microspikes. This gear combination in snow makes the steep sections effortless. A Bear Peak sunrise or sunset hike is also going to deliver a memorable experience.
When not to hike Bear Peak
Don’t hike Bear Peak when there is an incoming storm. Exposure to lightning and snowstorms can be dangerous if you are unprepared. Always check the local weather forecast before and during your hikes.
Difficulty rating
This hike is hard for most hikers. It’s like a staircase going up Fern Canyon and Shadow Canyon. The final stretch is a grind and ends with a rocky scramble to the summit markers.
Total distance and elevation
The shortest way to hike Bear Peak is to take Fern Canyon, and start from NCAR or Bear Canyon. You can make it longer by including either Bear Canyon or Shadow Canyon. Below are the results from some of my GPS recordings.
- Fern Canyon from Cragmoor Connector – 6.8 miles, 2999 feet
- Fern Canyon from NCAR – 5.5 miles, 2782 feet
- Shadow Canyon from South Mesa trailhead – 7.9 miles, 2850 feet
- Fern Canyon and Bear Canyon from NCAR – 7.5 miles 2812 feet
- Bear Peak + Green Mountain from Bear Canyon TH – 14.05 miles, 4615 feet
Hiking time
How long does it take to hike Bear Peak? Depending on your pace, fitness level, and route chosen, the hike will take most hikers three to six hours.
Terrain
Most of the trails to Bear Peak summit are dry dusty dirt and rocky – until covered with rain or snow. The terrain gets more rocky, technical, and challenging the higher you go!
Gear Advisor
All trails are rocky so you will want to wear footwear that protects your feet and has good traction. Lightweight hiking shoes or trail running shoes designed for rugged terrain work best for Bear Peak.
The trails get steep. You may benefit from trekking poles for extra stability and to conserve energy on your hike.
Bear Peak Hike – Routes and Directions
There are many ways to hike Bear Peak. You can do it on its own or combine it with nearby South Boulder Peak or Green Mountain.
1) Up and down Fern Canyon (quickest)
The shortest, fastest, and easiest way to do Bear Peak is to go up and down Fern Canyon. Start at Cragmoor Connector or Bear Canyon trailhead. Depending on your pace it will take 2-4 hours round trip from here.
From Cragmoor Connector, head up the stairs to North Fork Shanahan, continue to Shanahan-Mesa, and then head up Fern Canyon trail. Retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
2) Up Fern Canyon and down Bear Canyon (the leisurely and scenic route)
This is the most fun way to hike Bear Peak. Go up Fern Canyon, get the hard part completed, and soak in the fabulous views around you. Then take a leisurely and scenic route back down via Bear Peak West Ridge Trail and Bear Canyon Trail. You can see the impact of wildfire all along Peak West Ridge. The black singed tree trunks contrast with the wildflowers in Summer.
Start at Bear Canyon trailhead. Take Bear Canyon trail that meets with Mesa trail. Continue, and then head straight up Bear Canyon Trail instead of taking Mesa trail to Fern Canyon trail. Hike upwards until you arrive at the juncture of Bear Canyon trail, Green-Bear trail (heads up to Green Mountain), and Bear Peak West Ridge Trail that takes you to Bear Peak Summit! You will wind through beautiful pine forests and get early glimpses of the snowy peaks to the west when you get up on Bear Peak West Ridge. This route will take most people 3-5 hours.
3) Up and down Shadow Canyon (to include South Boulder Peak)
If you are coming from Denver or Golden, or want to include South Boulder Peak, you may want to start at South Mesa trailhead. But you can also start at Cragmoor Connector. Hiking up Shadow Canyon gives you the opportunity to bag the two tallest Peaks near Boulder. Like Fern Canyon, Shadow Canyon trail is difficult, rocky, and steep.
Take the Mesa Trail or Homestead Trail to Shadow Canyon Trail. Climb through mixed forest and rocky boulder terrain. At the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak, head right on Bear Peak Trail to Bear Peak Summit. Retrace your steps back to the saddle and head up South Boulder Peak Trail to South Boulder Peak.
Final Thoughts
If you have more than one day to hike in Boulder, definitely go for a Bear Peak summit. Warm up with some lower elevation hikes first (Chautauqua, Royal Arch, Mount Sanitas) on day one. And then on day two, once more acclimated, head higher up to Bear Peak. If you want an even bigger challenge combine Bear Peak with Green Mountain or South Boulder Peak.
Photos on my Bear Peak hikes
Looking up at Bear Peak from Skunk Canyon.
Looking at Green Mountain in Boulder (across Bear Canyon) on the way up Fern Canyon to Bear Peak Summit.
On Bear Peak Summit during a snow hike.
Looking down at Boulder and across at Green Mountain from the summit of Bear Peak.
View North to RMNP, Mount Meeker, and Longs Peak.
View West of Indian Peaks, Colorado.
View North West of Indian Peaks, Colorado.
View South from Bear Peak Summit.
