This route description covers the Fern Canyon/Bear Creek loop option only.

From the NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) parking lot, find the beginning of the trail as it leads west from the west end of the parking area. The initial trail is an interpretive trail about weather phenomena, particularly for Colorado. Either side of this loop trail will take you to the trailhead for the Boulder Mountain Park trail system.

Follow the trail due west from the NCAR area, past a water tank to a junction, approximately 1/2 mile. Go south (left) and follow the wide trail down into the Bear Creek drainage, crossing the creek and gradually climbing to another junction just over another 1/2 mile. At this junction, you must choose which way you want to execute the loop described here.

FERN CANYON
This option involves a steep climb followed by a long and liesurely hike with many stream crossings.

Take the left trail further south to the Fern Canyon draw, just under 1/2 mile, where the trail turns west and your very steep and direct climb of the east face begins. You'll be south of a group of spectacular flat iron formations during your climb up this draw. The trail is steep but does not exceed Class 2 difficulty.

At the top of this draw, views start to open up on a short flat section before turning southwest for another direct climb up the northeast ridge to the summit. The last 80 feet is over hard flat iron tilted rock to the summit, Class 2.

Descend directly from the summit (Class 2) down the west side of the rocks and intercept the Bear Peak Trail, which switchbacks down the west side of the mountain and follows the gentle ridge northwest to the west end of Bear Creek Canyon, 2 1/2 miles. The trail winds north as it drops into the canyon and follows the stream back to the east. Plan on getting wet, as the stream and trail are one and the same for a good distance in this canyon. Exiting the canyon, the trail contours across the steep south side of the canyon far above the stream, turns south onto a red dirt surface before meeting up with the main trail. Once back at the main trail, retrace your route back to NCAR.

BEAR CREEK CANYON
This option involves hiking up a canyon with many stream crossings to be made, followed by a long ridge walk, a short climb to the summit and a steep descent down Fern Canyon.

From the junction, go right if you want to hike up Bear Creek Canyon. Your route begins on a trail of brightly colored red dirt. The trail rounds a corner and contours west across a steep slope on the south wall of the canyon before proceeding up stream. Plan on getting wet, as the trail and stream tend to be one and the same. At the west end of the creek draw, you'll climb out of the canyon and head back southeast along the northwest ridge to the summit. Your return from the summit means dropping down the steep east face of Bear Peak via Fern Canyon (Class 2). The trail leads you down the northeast ridge and into the Fern Canyon draw. Once back at the main trail, retrace your route back to NCAR.

FERN CANYON OPTION MILEAGE POINTS
1st JUNCTION: .5 mile
2nd JUNCTION: 1.2 miles
FERN CANYON: 1.7miles
SUMMIT: 2.8 miles
DESCENT TO BEAR CANYON: 5.2 miles
STREAM & TRAIL ARE ONE: 5.8-7.7 miles
EXIT BEAR CANYON: 8 miles
NCAR: 9 miles

ROUND TRIP DISTANCE: 9 miles
GAIN: 3000 feet

Mileage and gain figured using the National Geographic TOPO! software.

Essential Gear

Standard dayhike gear will do in spring, summer or fall. Good hiking boots that are water proofed are highly recommended in the spring.

Specific winter conditions would dictate winter gear and apparel to be used. Time required to execute this route in winter conditions could easily double. Use your informed judgement before proceeding.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.