Bear Canyon Overlook

The Bear Creek Overlook Trail is a short hike to a stunning high-altitude view of the Bear Creek drainage in Montanaas stunning Bitterroot Mountains. Early summer hikers are treated to a splendid display of creamy white beargrass on the slopes. A member of the lily family, beargrass was used by Native Americans in the area for their weaving, clothes and even food. Most of the elevation gain is done while driving up old logging roads. While the road is not steep, the slope it cuts across can be. Give yourself some extra time to be safe. No trailhead sign is available at the start. Do not venture past the parking area on the gravel road; others have done this and complained of having to bushwhack their way to an overlook, albeit, not the official one. Look to the west slope for the start of the trail. This singletrack, dirt trail gently switchbacks under the cover of lodgepole pines. The trail leads to a large rocky overlook, allowing numerous vantage points of the glacier-carved canyon and, to the east, the Bitterroot Valley. Sky Pilot is a prominent peak to the west, located directly on the border between Montana and Idaho. Watch your footing! Itas a long way down from these sheer cliffs.