Iron Bear Trail #1351

The Iron Bear Trail begins at Forest Road 9703 or Forest Road 9714.

The trail, from the Bear Creek side, immediately crosses Miller Creek and heads up along Bear Creek. It follows a fairly gentle uphill grade for approximately 3 miles through forest, crossing the creek several times. It then leaves the creek and heads steeply uphill along hillsides with sparse trees and brush and climbs up to the ridgetop and a junction with Teanaway Ridge Trail 1364. From the junction, there are good views of both Iron Creek and Bear Creek valleys. From the ridgetop, the trail heads downhill, contouring around steep hillsides and crossing a couple of small creeks. There are good views of the surrounding country as the trail descends to the trailhead at Iron Creek. Water is plentiful on the Bear Creek side, but there is very little on the Iron Creek side, particularly later in the season.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:	Seasonal motorized closure in effect yearly snowfall through June 15. If conditions permit, this trail may be opened to motorized use prior to June 15 and will be posted open at that time both on the ground and on this site.
Fees:	Miller-Bear Trailhead: $5/vehicle/day or Northwest Forest Pass, or Federal Interagency Recreation Pass required. Day passes available at Stafford Creek Trailhead 1.5 miles away. Iron Creek Trailhead: No fee. Discover Pass not valid on National Forest land.
Closest Towns:	Cle Elum, Ellensburg

General Information

Directions:

This trail can be accessed from two trailheads, one at each end of the trail. To get to the west, or Bear Creek side: From Cle Elum, WA travel Highway 970 E 8.5 miles to Teanaway Road. Continue on Teanaway Road. Turn onto North Fork Teanaway road and follow to the end of the pavement. Take a right onto Forest Road 9737 for approximately 2 miles and then take another right on 9703 (Stafford Creek) and follow it to the end of the road where you’ll find the trailhead for both Iron Bear and Miller Peak trails. Distance from Highway 970 about 18 miles. Facilities include roadside parking, a toilet, and dispersed primitive campsites.

To access the east of Iron Creek trailhead, travel east and north from Cle Elum on Hwy 970/97 approximately 19 miles and turn left on Forest Road 9714. Drive approximatley 3 miles to an small, undeveloped parking area on the right.