Green Mountain - Bear Peak Trail (Green and Bear It), Gregory Canyon Trailhead, Boulder - Denver - Golden - Fort Collins - Lyons, Colorado

Green Mountain - Bear Peak Trail (Green and Bear It) - 12.75 miles

Gregory Canyon Trailhead

Snowcaps in the Indian Peaks from the Green Mountain Trail

Snowcaps in the Indian Peaks from the Green Mountain Trail

Round-Trip Length: 12.75 miles
Start-End Elevation: 5,845' - 8,461' (8,461' max elevation)
Elevation Change: +2,616' net elevation gain (+4,284' total roundtrip elevation gain)
Skill Level: Strenuous
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Bikes Allowed: No
Horses Allowed: No
Related Trails:

Green Mountain - Bear Peak Trail (Green and Bear It) - 12.75 Miles Round-Trip

Green Mountain (8,144') and Bear Peak (8,461') stand high over Boulder, two distinguished summits in close proximity with commanding views of the eastern plains and Rocky Mountains. Boulder's extensive trail network connects the two, with numerous ways to reach both in a day.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

One route begins in Gregory Canyon and joins the Ranger Trail to scale Green Mountain; it continues on the Green-Bear Trail to the Bear Peak West Ridge Trail and up to Bear Peak.

Sometimes referred to as the 'Green and Bear It' for its vertical profile, this challenging route follows steep terrain, quiet forests and high ridges with excellent views en route to the summits. The following description summits both peaks, and omits re-summiting Green Mountain on the return:

The Gregory Canyon Trail rises steadily to a stream crossing (.5 miles : 6,162'), then climbs steeply on a twisting, rocky path to milder switchbacks in the upper canyon (1.0 miles : 6,670').

The 2013 floods stripped away much of the corridor's vegetation, revealing portions of stream that were typically veiled. Look for bears foraging apple and plum trees throughout the canyon.

The trail gradually levels and curls SW, following a nominally re-routed path beside a newly carved gorge to the historic Greenman Lodge at the Ranger Trail split (1.48 miles : 6,754’).

The Ranger Trail moderates through tall, mixed pine to the E.M. Greenman Trail split (1.7 miles : 6,965'), past which it steepens on a winding, business-like climb.

The Ranger Trail crests at the Green-Bear Trail - Green Mt West Ridge Trail split along a narrow ridge below the summit (2.55 miles : 7,860'). Turn left toward Green Mountain.

The summit access trail scrambles over rock and root to Green Mountain (2.7 miles : 8,144'). The summit is small but topped by a rock-spire and peak-finder that illustrates a 100-mile span.

From Green Mountain, head back down to the Green-Bear Trail (2.85 miles) and turn south downhill. Portions of this descent are steep but the majority is moderate and smooth, an ideal track for runners. A few thinly treed meadows along the way provide good habitat and viewing lanes for wildlife.

The Green-Bear Trail drops 680' in 1.75 miles down the south flank of Green Mountain to the Bear Canyon Trail - Bear Peak West Ridge Trail split  in the saddle between the summits (4.65 miles : 7,181'). Turn up the West Ridge Trail for the 1.9 mile, 1280' push to Bear Peak.

The West Ridge Trail is initially moderate, tracing a well-defined ridge with emerging views of Bear Canyon, South Boulder Peak and Walker Ranch.

Fire scars are visible from a distance, but you’ll abruptly enter the burn area at 5.8 miles (7,706’). Despite a ghostly appearance the area is well on its way to recovery. Though it will be many years before healthy pine return, grasses, flowers and ground cover have already rooted.

Switchbacks steepen considerably at the base of Bear Peak’s conical summit (6.0 miles : 7,805’). Anticipate quick turns up rugged terrain on this final approach; snow and ice can make this strenuous section precarious and difficult to read.

The trail emerges from timber in a scree field that wraps (right) to the Shadow Canyon Trail split (6.48 miles : 8,395'), just below the summit on the west face. Here several intuitive scramble routes lead up to Bear Peak (6.55 miles : 8,461').

The most popular route curls back NE to the Fern Canyon Trail split, then up. No matter how you tackle it these final yards are steep, challenging and exposed.

The pointed, wind-swept summit is little more than a jagged boulder pile, however cautious maneuvering leads to safe viewing areas across the plains, foothills, and Rocky Mountains. Keep an eye on weather, as there's still considerable elevation gain and exposure on the return.

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Interactive GPS Topo Map

Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

  • N39 59.845 W105 17.572 — 0.0 miles : Gregory Canyon Trailhead
  • N39 59.874 W105 18.013 — .5 miles : Cross stream to south side of canyon
  • N39 59.847 W105 18.340 — 1.0 miles : Switchbacks level in upper canyon, where trail curls SW
  • N39 59.615 W105 18.493 — 1.45 miles : Ranger Trail - Greenman Lodge
  • N39 59.409 W105 18.315 — 1.7 miles : Ranger Trail - EM Greenman Trail split
  • N39 58.970 W105 18.229 — 2.55 miles : Ranger Trail - Green Bear Trail junction
  • N39 58.915 W105 18.095 — 2.7 miles : Green Mountain (8,144')
  • N39 58.953 W105 18.527 — 3.2 miles : Flagstaff access trail split in large meadow
  • N39 58.660 W105 18.473 — 3.8 miles : Steady, winding descent along saddle
  • N39 58.397 W105 18.419 — 4.65 miles : Green Bear - Bear Peak W. Ridge Trail split
  • N39 58.244 W105 18.505 — 5.15 miles : Moderate climb up West Ridge
  • N39 57.872 W105 18.264 — 5.8 miles : Enter 2012 burn area
  • N39 57.735 W105 17.978 — 6.05 miles : Begin very steep push ip Bear Peak's conical summit
  • N39 57.614 W105 17.720 — 6.48 miles : Shadow Canyon Trail split just below summit
  • N39 57.616 W105 17.713 — 6.55 miles : Bear Peak (8,461')

Worth Noting

  • Steep sections, especially on north-facing slopes, can be snow and ice covered through mid-spring.

  • Bears and other wildlife rely heavily on fruits and berries in Gregory Canyon and Bear Canyon. Avoid traveling off-trail, and leave fruits and berries to the local wildlife.

  • Gregory Canyon is named for John Gregory, an ambitious miner who in the 1860s built a road up the canyon to gold mines in the Black Hawk area. Though serviceable for several decades, the road's rudimentary construction and canyon's steep pitch were prohibitive, and eventually Flagstaff Road was completed in 1906 to replace it.

  • The Ranger Trail's origin is often attributed to Martin Parsons, a dedicated local ranger in the early 1900s. Apple trees in lower Gregory Canyon were likely planted by Ernest Greenman, who's credited with planting hundreds of apple trees throughout the Boulder foothill canyons.

Rules and Regulations

  • Bikes are not permitted on the Gregory Canyon Trail, Ranger Trail, Green-Bear Trail or Bear Peak West Ridge Trail.
  • There's a $5 parking fee at the Gregory Canyon Trailhead if your car is not registered in Boulder County.
  • Dogs are permitted on these trails. Voice and Sight tags and rules apply. Be mindful of potential seasonal leash-area requirements.

Directions to Trailhead

The Gregory Canyon Trailhead is located at the far end of Baseline Road, 1.4 miles west of the Broadway intersection in Boulder, CO.

The Gregory Canyon Trailhead is located off a side road at the end of Baseline, just before it turns sharply uphill and becomes Flaggstaff Road.

Take Baseline Road West past Chautauqua Park to the Gregory Canyon Trailhead access road and turn left. Park when you reach the dead-end. Parking is limited at the trailhead.

Contact Information

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
Phone: 303.441.3440
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/

Trip Reports

There are no trip reports on this trail.



Comments

"No doubt, this is a very demanding hike no matter how you tackle it. The route described here is an out-and-back that begins at Gregory Canyon; the route you took is definitely longer! Thanks for the feedback and sharing your experience - ProTrails."
ProTrails Admin  -   -  Date Posted: March 4, 2014
"I hiked this as a loop, leaving bear peak down fern canyon trail and Mesa trail past NCAR and back to Chautauqua park. It was just over 12 miles and 4200 total vertical. This route description doesn't really specify whether it's intended to be an out-and-back or a loop. Either way it is much longer than the 10.55 miles advertised. I think and out and back would be +-15 miles. Still a tough and rewarding hike/ run. We loved it. "
Keith j  -  Longmont,co  -  Date Posted: March 3, 2014
"I did a very similar trek today, with the exception I took the Amphitheatre / Saddle trail starting also at Gregory Canyon. Effectively, some paths, close to each summit, are pretty steep. Moreover last year (Summer 2012), there was a bad fire around Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak, hence the last part to Bear Peak is in a burn forest (aka less shadow!). Also, they have closed the access route from Bear Peak to South Boulder Peak, but it should be open again in 2-3 months... I then made a loop by going down along the Fern Canyon trail at the N / NW of Bear Peak; although it was April, we had snow just a week ago, and the trail was still partly covered with snow and ice, so be careful if you hike during this season! And the Fern canyon trail is even steeper than the access to Bear Peak from the W (from Green Mountain). Then I end up on the Mesa trail that is along the hill slope of the flatiron, to the E of Green Mountain. This was an awesome trek, although pretty long. I am not a very sportive man, but do love hiking! This trip, with time for picture and rest, took me nearly 8 hours. My GPS indicated me a total of 11.2 miles. Check the profile here: http://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/by/julien-allaz/boulder-trek-to-green-mountain-and-bear-peak/#.UX8RkCvwLAU Enjoy Colorado! Julien"
Julien Allaz  -  Boulder, CO (USA)  -  Date Posted: April 29, 2013
"I don't know if the mileage is correct for this route. I made it up on to the Bear Peak West Ridge before I had to turn around because the sun was coming down. I was pretty far from the summit. My GPS said the round trip was 10.4 miles"
Peter Denman  -  Boulder, CO  -  Date Posted: December 11, 2012

 

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