Black Bear 🐻 Trail - Deer Creek to Hildebrand One Way Hike

Difficulty: about 11.5 miles with about 1750-1800 feet elevation gain.

NOTE THAT THERE IS A REQUIRED 3 MILE CARPOOL. WE WILL MEET AT HILDEBRAND RANCH. SEE DETAILS BELOW.

We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5 to 3.0mph. Everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that no one is left behind or hiking on their own for safety purposes.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Let’s hike the Black Bear Trail from Deer Creek Canyon to Hildebrand Ranch. This trail has beautiful rock formations, multiple switchbacks, and views of the plains. Note that areas of this trail are narrow and rocky with a portion being a narrow trail alongside a cliff. This is a one-way hike which will require a short 3 mile carpool. We will meet at Hildebrand Ranch, carpool 3 miles to Deer Creek Canyon, where the hike begins and do the one-way hike, ending up in Hildebrand Ranch. Bring lunch/snacks as we will take a break. See the following hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/deer-creek-and-black-bear-trail

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Dogs must be leashed at all times. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the hike.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Hildebrand Ranch Trailhead parking area. The trailhead address is: 9880 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80127
If you use google maps, you can type in “Hildebrand Ranch Park” to get there. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “Hildebrand Ranch Park Trailhead” to get there.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.54702000000003&lon=-105.15269999999998

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential.

REQUIRED WAIVER: Note that if you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.