Motivated: Bob Bear Trail to Fossil Creek Falls - Out and Back

Motivated: Bob Bear Trail to Fossil Creek Falls
Hike Leader: Karl Zimmer, (858) 382-5291
Hike Distance: 8.75 miles; AEG 1600 feet
Trail Head Elevation: 5700 feet
Driving Distance 230 miles R/T; Driver Fee $19

Hike Description:
The Bob Bear Trail is an out-and-back hike just outside Strawberry, AZ. It starts in the desert and immediately descends into a forest of short pines, hardwood and Manzanitas. The trail has beautiful views of the canyon you descend and the towering rock formations on the
Mogollon Rim rising above you. The trail ultimately leads to Fossil Springs, the Fossil Creek dam, a unique rock formation known as “The Toilet Bowl” as well as other rock grottos the creek flows through. The route to these unique water features is all downhill. The physical
challenge of this hike is the all uphill return to the trailhead elevation of 5700'.
Driving directions:
Search for “Bob Bear Trailhead” in your mapping application
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DrzXBeyUispxEYde9
From Cottonwood Country Club:
Take Arizona 101 Loop North (choose your preferred route)
Continue North on Loop 101 for 8.7 miles to exit 51A-51B AZ-202Loop E
Take exit 13 for State Rte 87/Country Club Drive towards Payson
Continue on Rte 87 through the towns of Payson, Pine and Strawberry for 92 miles
Turn left onto Fossil Creek Rd W for 4.7 miles
Turn right onto Fossil Creek Trail Rd to the trail head.