Black Bear Trail

The Black Bear Trail is a rocky climb from the Ralston Roost TH up to the Mule Deer Trail. This route is all singletrack and has some technical and rocky sections. The trail is a well-marked 3.4 mile trail (one way) located near the park entrance. There is plenty of parking at the pull out. The trail is moderate to more advanced, with the beginning section traveling uphill through some steep rocky inclines and narrow trails occasionally. The trail is primarily used for day outings and offers access to other trails in the park along with a summit view at mile 2.25. It can be be done as a an out and back or you can continue on once it intersects with the Mule Deer Trail. Many people continue on to connect Black Bear to Horseshoe Trail to make a loop of about 5.5 miles. Because of the altitude at 8,200 ft the best season is spring through fall. Overall, it nicely shaded and marked well with a variety of terrain. It travels mostly uphill to a rocky ridge through aspen and pine forest with views once you get to the top. After the ups and downs, the trail finally descends through a forest and out to a flat area of aspens before meeting up with the Mule Deer Trail. The trail offers a really great workout in a quiet mountain environment. The park offers access to fairly remote area in the mountains. In the spring and summer there are wildflowers.