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Directions:From Denver head West of I-70 or Hwy 6 and South on C470 to the Morrison Exit. Head west, through Morrison on Bear Creek Rd. After you pass through Ideldale, make a left into the Lair O' the Bear Parking area.
Lair O'the Bear is a small peaceful open space park located in scenic Bear Creek Canyon. It is the first of a string of parks with good hiking options including; Corwina Park, O'Fallon Park, and Pence Park; all connected by the Bear Creek Trail (BCT). The Bruin Bluff trail offers a relatively easy jaunt through the foothills brush, evergreen forests, and cottonwood stands (beautiful in early October). The trail is easy and great for kids but gains enough altitude that it feels like a hike, instead of just a walk. From the parking area start by heading towards Bear Creek and turn left on the Creekside Trail. You follow Bear Creek for a little ways and eventually are lead to the Ouzel Bridge, next to the outdoor classroom. Cross the bridge to find the Bruin Bluff Trail junction. Turn right (west) and follow the Bruin Bluff trail along the north face of Bear Creek Canyon for 1.3 miles before descending back down to Bear Creek. Once you return to the creek you have a few options. For this hike description, and the standard loop, cross the Dipper Bridge and turn right along the wide Bear Creek Trail to the parking area. You can also, cross the Dipper Bridge and head right, but turn off onto the creekside trail and return to the parking lot by following the creek a little further. You can also take the Castor Cutoff Trail before crossing the Dipper Bridge and return to the Ouzel Bridge for a longer (2.3 mi) hike. |
April 2014 |
