THE BURNING BEAR TRAIL-GUANELLA PASS: GRANT, CO.
Details
THE BURNING BEAR TRAIL:
Howdy Everyone!
~I need to tell you the residence of Grant are very protective of their neighborhood. They have place signs on the side of the road to use caution of the kids and the wildlife (what's the difference!!!)
These residence are also very confrontive so use caution especially with the wildlife. They're all over the roads.
~The Burning Bear Trail is one of my top ten favorite trails to hike. It's a very mellow hike where people can walk side by side with one another.
~I'll update on all weather conditions and temperatures
~Drive Southbound U.S. Hwy 285 through Bailey, then continue for 10.8 miles to Grant. Turn right (north) on Park County Road #62 (sometimes called the Guanella Pass Road) and drive 4.9 miles to the trailhead at a turn in the road. There is a sign and gate on the left (north) side of the road at the trailhead. Parking is available 0.2 miles further at the parking area for the Abyss Lake/Burning Bear East trailhead on the right side of the road
~Remember to cross the road from the Abyss/Burning Bear parking lot where the trailhead for the Burning Bear Trail begins. You’ll see a metal cow guard gate.
~The Burning Bear Trail is a 7.5 mile round-trip hike, moderate hiking rating with an elevation gain of 1,353
From the trailhead gate, the trail leads northwest into an open meadow for about 200 yards and then crosses a bridge over Geneva Creek. From the trailhead we'll come to a fork in the trail that is marked by a sign post.
The first mile is relatively flat. We then leave the meadow area and begin climbing through a stand of lodge-pole pine. At about 2 ½ miles from the trailhead, we'll come to remnants of an old log cabin on the left. Above this point, the trail begins to steepen on a series of switchbacks to the ridge summit at 3.7 miles/7.4 mile round trip.
The high point of the trail is marked by a six-foot dead tree stump having two metal diamond shaped markers. From this ridge, we'll come to Burning Bear Creek where we usually turn around.
As I'll be camping this weekend I'm asking you all to make carpool arrangments. You are more that welcome to bring something to eat and hang-out at the campground which has already been posted
Have a great week everybody.
Don