ChaseWagoner - May 25, 2020 11:45 am Date Climbed: Jan 4, 2020
Fine trail; last bit is steep
Used the Upper Bear Canyon Trailhead. The trail was pretty pedestrian most of the way, if not maintained. After reaching the saddle, there seems to be no real "trail." The last mile (maybe 1.5 miles) is steep, and a little loose. In January, there was some snow next to the trail, but only a few short spots where the only way forward was over snow. It was heavily packed, so regular shoes did fine.
Perfect weather today for a nice walk. Trail felt weird. I made decent time on the trail, but the way the trail contoured the hills and you could see distant parts of the trail made it seem like it was a lot longer than it was. Nice gentle slope all the way up to the saddle and the use trail. Also a use trail heading north at the saddle, but not sure what that mountain is. Long pants were good for the use trail; would have been a little scratchy otherwise. All in all, pretty nice.
orbitor - Mar 22, 2017 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2014
From Highway 39
Via Bear Creek Trail and the use trail on the northeast ridge.
StartingOver - Feb 8, 2017 4:39 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2017
Nice views of snowy peaks
Hiked up the Bear Canyon trail to the saddle, then took the use trail to the summit. Though steep, the use trail was not difficult and very little, if any, scrambling was involved. Fog rolled in and out throughout the hike but the summit was above the clouds and the views of the middle-high country and Mt. Baldy were beautiful over the fog.
socalpeakbagger - Sep 9, 2016 12:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2016
Bear Creek
Took some beginners with me, the hike to the saddle before the real climbing is easy...the trail up to the top can be loose and steep in some parts, but overall it is not too bad as the beginners made it to the top. They enjoyed their first real peak bagging experience!
wildanessX - Feb 1, 2014 11:26 pm Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
Via Bear Creek Trail
Headed up the Bear Creek Trail, then scrambled up Smith Mountain. Really enjoyed the section from the saddle to the peak. Still with energy, my buddy and I wound up returning to the saddle and summiting P5495 as well, which made for a fun, tiring day. Clear skies, windy, and quite cool in places exposed to the wind.
BobD3 - Feb 2, 2013 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2013
nice trail, nice views
A beautiful calm, cloudy day. Took the standard route up the Bear Canyon trail.
Bob Burd - Apr 18, 2012 1:36 am Date Climbed: Dec 16, 2009
South Ridge
Came up from the south more out of necessity than for the extra workout. Trip Report.
dfeatsc - Jan 8, 2012 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2012
Smith Mtn bliss!
The Bear Creek trail was in excellent condition. Climb to the top was easier that it looked.
johnm - Jan 7, 2012 10:47 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2012
Upper Bear Creek Trail
Nice day to be out. January, clear skies mid 70's. Did this one with my son, fun little scramble to the summit.
SierraCJ - Oct 17, 2011 10:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
Hwy 39
Wonderful hike on a warm, breezy day. Use trail from Smith Saddle to summit was a blast!
SoCalHiker - May 22, 2011 8:20 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2011
Upper Bear Creek Trail
Via upper Bear Creek Trail to Smith saddle and up the north ridge to the summit. Beautiful trail and area with grand views from the summit. Ascent from the saddle to the summit is steep but fun.
labgloves - Apr 10, 2011 11:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2011
Bear Creek Trail
Nice hike on a wonderful cloudy day. There was even a little hail and snow.
cab - Mar 29, 2011 11:47 am Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2011
Bear Creek Trail
This was a surprisingly pleasant hike. Lots of streams to cross, beautiful weather, and a really cool looking peak from the Bear Creek Trail.
dgrimreaper - Jan 30, 2011 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Jan 30, 2011
First hike of 2011
Summited in a lazy 2.5 hours on a cool, overcast day. Got a little freezing rain on the way down.
SierraCJ - Jan 20, 2011 2:44 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2009
Trail work
Did Smith on a cold, foggy day. Volunteers trying to fix washed out portion of trail about half way. Summit shrouded in clouds.
ChaseWagoner - May 25, 2020 11:45 am Date Climbed: Jan 4, 2020
Fine trail; last bit is steepUsed the Upper Bear Canyon Trailhead. The trail was pretty pedestrian most of the way, if not maintained. After reaching the saddle, there seems to be no real "trail." The last mile (maybe 1.5 miles) is steep, and a little loose. In January, there was some snow next to the trail, but only a few short spots where the only way forward was over snow. It was heavily packed, so regular shoes did fine.
wannabepeakbagger - May 1, 2017 12:24 am Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2017
Bear Creek TrailPerfect weather today for a nice walk. Trail felt weird. I made decent time on the trail, but the way the trail contoured the hills and you could see distant parts of the trail made it seem like it was a lot longer than it was. Nice gentle slope all the way up to the saddle and the use trail. Also a use trail heading north at the saddle, but not sure what that mountain is. Long pants were good for the use trail; would have been a little scratchy otherwise. All in all, pretty nice.
orbitor - Mar 22, 2017 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2014
From Highway 39Via Bear Creek Trail and the use trail on the northeast ridge.
StartingOver - Feb 8, 2017 4:39 pm Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2017
Nice views of snowy peaksHiked up the Bear Canyon trail to the saddle, then took the use trail to the summit. Though steep, the use trail was not difficult and very little, if any, scrambling was involved. Fog rolled in and out throughout the hike but the summit was above the clouds and the views of the middle-high country and Mt. Baldy were beautiful over the fog.
socalpeakbagger - Sep 9, 2016 12:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2016
Bear CreekTook some beginners with me, the hike to the saddle before the real climbing is easy...the trail up to the top can be loose and steep in some parts, but overall it is not too bad as the beginners made it to the top. They enjoyed their first real peak bagging experience!
IronHiker - Jul 23, 2015 1:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2012
Bear Creek TrailFun little peak
wildanessX - Feb 1, 2014 11:26 pm Date Climbed: Feb 1, 2014
Via Bear Creek TrailHeaded up the Bear Creek Trail, then scrambled up Smith Mountain. Really enjoyed the section from the saddle to the peak. Still with energy, my buddy and I wound up returning to the saddle and summiting P5495 as well, which made for a fun, tiring day. Clear skies, windy, and quite cool in places exposed to the wind.
BobD3 - Feb 2, 2013 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Feb 2, 2013
nice trail, nice viewsA beautiful calm, cloudy day. Took the standard route up the Bear Canyon trail.
Bob Burd - Apr 18, 2012 1:36 am Date Climbed: Dec 16, 2009
South RidgeCame up from the south more out of necessity than for the extra workout. Trip Report.
dfeatsc - Jan 8, 2012 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2012
Smith Mtn bliss!The Bear Creek trail was in excellent condition. Climb to the top was easier that it looked.
johnm - Jan 7, 2012 10:47 pm Date Climbed: Jan 7, 2012
Upper Bear Creek TrailNice day to be out. January, clear skies mid 70's. Did this one with my son, fun little scramble to the summit.
SierraCJ - Oct 17, 2011 10:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
Hwy 39Wonderful hike on a warm, breezy day. Use trail from Smith Saddle to summit was a blast!
SoCalHiker - May 22, 2011 8:20 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2011
Upper Bear Creek TrailVia upper Bear Creek Trail to Smith saddle and up the north ridge to the summit. Beautiful trail and area with grand views from the summit. Ascent from the saddle to the summit is steep but fun.
labgloves - Apr 10, 2011 11:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2011
Bear Creek TrailNice hike on a wonderful cloudy day. There was even a little hail and snow.
cab - Mar 29, 2011 11:47 am Date Climbed: Mar 28, 2011
Bear Creek TrailThis was a surprisingly pleasant hike. Lots of streams to cross, beautiful weather, and a really cool looking peak from the Bear Creek Trail.
dgrimreaper - Jan 30, 2011 7:18 pm Date Climbed: Jan 30, 2011
First hike of 2011Summited in a lazy 2.5 hours on a cool, overcast day. Got a little freezing rain on the way down.
SierraCJ - Jan 20, 2011 2:44 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2009
Trail workDid Smith on a cold, foggy day. Volunteers trying to fix washed out portion of trail about half way. Summit shrouded in clouds.
theronmoon - Aug 31, 2010 4:17 pm
1993Old days of chasing Sam Fink
bechtt - May 24, 2010 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Dec 14, 2008
From Islip SaddleCame over Mt Islip down the SW ridge (Wawona trail) up over 5495 (twice) and then returned via 39. Great day with Bob and Coco the dog.