Hike To Spruce Park Cabin In The Great Bear Wilderness

Let's meet on the east side of the C. Falls Super 1 under the pine trees at 8:00 am. We will carpool to the trailhead to begin our hike. Since it is going to be a HOT day, I thought we would try a hike that is NEW to me, and is mostly in the woods so we will not be directly in the hot sun. The hike is a little under 13 miles roundtrip, with 300 feet of elevation gain.
This hike is described as "A gorgeous riverside hike in the Great Bear Wilderness".
Just south of Essex, the hike to Spruce Park Cabin is a forested adventure along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. This trail starts at the Bear Creek TH by crossing the creek over a well maintained bridge. From the Bear Creek Trailhead, head south into the Great Bear Wilderness, keeping an eye out for wildlife like bears and moose. A few gentle switchbacks takes away the view of the highway and into a nice forest. The trail is straight forward with good tread, gentle hills, and just a few creek crossings for a little over six miles. Enjoy occasional views out over the Middle Fork while hiking through the woods. After six miles, you can head down to Spruce Park Cabin to enjoy lunch with a river view or swimming and fishing in the waters of the Middle Fork. At the junction for Vinegar Mountain take the right hand trail to Spruce Park Cabin. Either sit above the Middle Fork for lunch or follow the trail behind the cabin down to the water for a quick bit of fishing or a swim. Hike out the trail you came in.
Please bring bear spray, bug spray, sunscreen, lots of water, appropriate footwear for water crossings and lunch. I hope you can join me!