Bear Peak Trail

Bear Peak is the pointed 8,461-foot summit south of the Flatirons and Boulder's most demanding standard climb: from the NCAR trailhead, the Mesa Trail and Fern Canyon gain 2,700 feet in a little over 3 miles, the canyon on stone steps and the last stretch on a rocky ridge with a Class 2 scramble to the top. The summit is a small rock point with the plains on one side and the Indian Peaks on the other.

From the NCAR trailhead, follow the NCAR trail west to the Mesa Trail and turn south. In about a mile, past the Bear Canyon crossing, the Fern Canyon trail leaves right and climbs the canyon: steep, shaded, and built of rock steps for most of its 1.5 miles, with the Flatirons' back sides above. At the top of the canyon the trail reaches the saddle between Bear Peak and its west ridge.

From the saddle, the final quarter mile climbs the north ridge on rock, with a few Class 2 moves on the summit block; the top is a single boulder with room for a few people. Return by Fern Canyon, or descend the West Ridge trail and Bear Canyon for a loop that adds a mile. The Shanahan Ridge trailhead to the south is the other common start and adds distance.

The NCAR trailhead is at the top of Table Mesa Drive in south Boulder, in the lot of the National Center for Atmospheric Research; parking is free, and the lot fills on weekend mornings. Shanahan Ridge and Cragmoor are neighborhood trailheads with street parking and city rules. No permit.

Dogs are allowed on leash, or off leash with a Boulder voice-and-sight tag where the signs permit; the summit block is hard on them. Not a kid hike. Carry two liters; there is no water. The rock steps in Fern Canyon are the knee-killer on the descent, which is the argument for the West Ridge loop. Boulder is at the trailhead. South Boulder Peak is a 20-minute traverse from the saddle for a two-summit day, and the Boulder hikes page has the rest.