Hiking – Bear Creek National Recreation Trail (Ouray) - Group #1

Let's plan on meeting at the Bear Creek Trailhead south of Ouray at 9am. Carpools will be organized prior to the hike.

Note that we have both a Group #1 and a Group #2 for this hike. Group #1 meets at 9am (this one) and Group #2 meets at 9:30am. 

Please join us for a social gathering at the Ouray Brewery at 2pm. Register here: WSG Social Gathering in Ouray — The Colorado Mountain Club (cmc.org)

*Note this hike is >5 hours from Denver.

We'll hike to the Grizzly Bear Mine. The trail starts with a series of long, moderately steep switchbacks ascending the east side of the Uncompaghre Gorge, a deep mountain canyon formed by the Uncompahgre River and Red Mountain Creek south of Ouray. We'll reach the top of the switchbacks in slightly under a mile having gained 1,000-ft. The grade now moderates as the trail enters the Bear Creek drainage, heading east across a talus slope high above Bear Creek. Views to the south extend to Red Mountain pass. After 5 minutes, the trail levels off following the contours of the canyon's steep walls on a narrow ledge carved into the talus cliff. Footing is generally good except for a few short eroded sections. About 0.2 miles before the Grizzly Bear Mine the trail enters a nice stand of aspens. Keep an eye out for a metal sided shed on your left. Shortly thereafter mining equipment and a collapsed wood building with a corrugated aluminum roof lie scattered along the side of the trail. This is the Grizzly Bear mine (10,020-ft.), located ~2.2 miles and 1,560-ft. up from the trailhead. We'll have lunch here and then head back to the trailhead.

For more info, see Bear Creek National Recreation Trail Detail, Ouray, Colorado (hikingwalking.com) 

No dogs please. If you have a fear of heights, this may not be the best hike for you.