Bear Creek Trail
Bear Creek trail (607) begins at the confluence of Bear Creek and the Dolores River and merges with a portion of the Highline Loop National Recreation Trail, eight miles upstream. This is a great trail winding alongside Bear Creek through ponderosa pines and aspen. It ends at Sharkstooth Trail (620) and from there can provide access to the Colorado Trail.
Bear Creek Trail is CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLES except an 1.8 mile section between Gold Run Trail (618) and Grindstone Trail (608) junctions where motorcycles / e-bikes are allowed, accessed from the Gold Run TH off W. Mancos Road (561) from June 1 - October 31.
- Distance (one way): 14 miles
- Minimum Elevation: 7,910 feet
- Maximum Elevation: 11,215 feet at Sharkstooth Trail
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Water is available in Bear Creek; purification recommended.
Bear Creek Trail is CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLES except an 1.8 mile section between Gold Run Trail (618) and Grindstone Trail (608) junctions where motorcycles / e-bikes are allowed, accessed from the Gold Run TH off W. Mancos Road (561) from June 1 - October 31.
Address: 29211 Highway 184 Dolores, CO 81323
Phone: (970) 882-7296
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
From Dolores Public Lands Office turn left right onto Hwy 145 N heading into the town of Dolores. Continue 22 mi. Trailhead is on the right and clearly marked.
Recreation Opportunities
General Hiking Info
The following trails can be accessed from this trail:
- Little Bear Pack Trail (217) – branches off the (607) at mile 2 to the left. You may use it as a loop as it circles back around to (607) for 1.75 mi or branch off it to the 0.5 mi Pack Loop Connector (218) which leads to Hillside Drive (436) gravel road.
- Little Bear Trail (609) – branches off the (607) at mile 4 and is a popular bike turn around spot as the (607) trail gets slightly technical after this. This non-motorized 2.5 mile trail may be difficult to find and can be quite steep. It connects to Rough Canyon Trail (435) then 1.5 mi to Hillside Drive (436) gravel road.
- Gold Run Trail (618) - branches off the (607) at mile 6 to the right. This is a 2.25 mile motorized single track connector from the trailhead at West Mancos Road (FS 561 and the Aspen Loop Trail) to Grindstone Trail (608). This trail leads to a well-established trailhead with parking, pit toilets and a corral, and is open to motorcycles traveling .
- Grindstone Loop Trail (658) – branches off the (607) at mile 8 to the left. This non-motorized 4.8 mile trail can be an out and back or use it to connect with 4 mi Grindstone Trail (608) which is open to motorcycles and make a loop back to the Bear Creek Trail (607). Motorized travelers will take the Grindstone (608) to the Hillside Connector (614) to tie into the Hillside Drive (436) gravel road while non-motorized may continue .75 mi to connect with the Colorado Trail.
- Morrison Trail (610) – branches off the (607) at .3 mi to the right. This 11 mile trail, open to motorcycles and e-bikes in certain sections, travels a steep 2.75 mi then flattens out and intersects the motorized BC Rim Trail (227) or continue to the OHV Aspen Loop System (631).
OHV Trail RidingOHV Trail Riding Info
Bear Creek Trail is CLOSED TO ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLES except an 1.8 mile section between Gold Run Trail (618) and Grindstone Trail (608) junctions where motorcycles / e-bikes are allowed, accessed from the Gold Run TH off W. Mancos Road (561) from June 1 - October 31.