Details: Bear Creek Falls

This half day hike up Bear Creek Canyon offers scenic views of the rugged cliffs lining the canyon and ends at a pretty waterfall. It’s a nice option if you have limited time or just want an easy day.

Trailhead to Bear Creek Falls

The Bear Creek trail starts on the end of South Pine Street (see driving directions) on a wide dirt track shared with bikers and horseback riders. Follow the trail as it heads up hill to a sign marking the beginning of the Bear Creek Preserve. The San Miguel Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the town of Telluride, acquired and donated a 320-acre parcel of land in the Bear Creek Canyon to the citizens of Telluride in 1995 to preserve Bear Creek as public open space.

Beyond the sign the trail heads southeast toward Bear Creek Canyon, climbing through a forest of aspen and mixed conifers. Openings in the trees offer nice views to the north of the cliffs and peaks towering above Telluride.

At 0.6 miles the trail swings to the south and enters the canyon, continuing its ascent along the west side of Bear Creek, which can’t be seen from the trail. After hiking about 1.2 miles the trees start to thin and meadows appear along the trail. The openings offer great views of the dramatic cliffs defining the canyon’s eastern wall.

The scenery continues to improve as you climb. At just under 1.7 miles the creek comes into view at a pretty spot with a small waterfall. Rock cairns of all shapes and sizes decorate the meadow by the creek.

Reach a junction with the Wasatch trail in a large open meadow at 2.0 miles. Beautiful Bear Creek Falls is seen through the trees cascading down a rocky cliff at the head of a small basin. Continue straight ahead on the trail for 0.3 miles, following the path as it wandering beside the creek through meadows to the base of the falls. (The Wasatch trail branches to the right (west) and climbs the hillside above the trail.)

After exploring the falls, retrace your steps to the trailhead, enjoying nice views of the peaks and ridges rising to the north of Telluride.

Hikers with the time and energy will want to explore further up the canyon on the Wasatch Trail. The Bear Creek trail is also used as part of a loop that connects with the See Forever trail. (See the Wasatch and See Forever descriptions for more information.)