Bear Canyon Upper - West Bear Canyon Loop • Hiking • Arizona • HikeArizona.COM

Rated

Region

Mine

Friends

Statistics
Difficulty 3 Route Finding 3
Distance Round Trip	5 miles
Trailhead Elevation	7,571 feet
Elevation Gain	-425 feet
Accumulated Gain	740 feet
Avg Time Round Trip	5.0 hours
Interest Off Trail Hiking & Seasonal Creek Course Loop Hike

Author Grasshopper

	Descriptions 29
	Routes 319
	Photos 4,769
	Trips 349 map (2,703 Miles)
	Age 67
	Location Scottsdale, AZ

Photos

2012-10-07

coanbru

2012-10-07

skatchkins

2012-09-29

Grasshopper

2012-09-28

Bear Cyn Upper Explorator

Grasshopper

2012-06-23

Grasshopper

2012-06-23

Outdoor Lover

	Large Profile
	Forecast
	Historical Weather
	Radar

Forest Coconino
Backpack - Yes

Official Route

Alternative Routes

Water

Nearby Hikes

Area Water Sources

direct air miles away to trailhead

0.0 •	Camp Grasshopper - Mogollon Rim-C/Site#4
0.9 •	General Crook - Coconino Rim Section
1.1 •	Bear Canyon Upper - East Bear Canyon Loop
1.1 •	Railroad Tunnel Hike
1.2 •	Colonel Devin Trail #290
1.2 •	Blue Ridge - AZT #28

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Culture

Trash Hauled Out

Fauna

		Atlantis Fritillary Butterfly
		California Sister

remove free decal offer

excellent autumn colors
by Grasshopper

Mobile Version

Overview: Upper Bear Canyon and West Bear Canyon "off trail" hiking can be compared to hiking sections of our Mogollon Rim- Barbershop Canyon and Dane Canyon with significant seasonal water flow and pooling in the Bear Canyon Upper sections as of this June'12 posting. In Autumn, with surprisingly numerous large stands of Big Tooth Maple within the West Bear Canyon section, this LOOP should provide some excellent autumn colors. West Bear Canyon is mostly easy to navigate with only the lower ~1/3 mile section requiring moderate rock/boulder scrambling with creek downfall to negotiate. Upper Bear Canyon from its intersection with lower West Bear Canyon is nicely shaded in the afternoon with numerous, active animal routes to follow. It is recommended to download and follow the "official" GPS Route posted herein.

Also Note: For the stronger hiker with off-trail route finding ability, this loop hike can be combined with the Bear Canyon(Middle) hike description for a longer 12+ mile "lolly pop" loop hike... if planning this option it is recommended to start/end from the Bear Canyon (Middle) Park/TH Location unless planning a shuttle hike which is also an option.
- Jun 24 2012 Grasshopper

Directions

Preferred Months

Jun Jul Aug Sep

Sunrise

5:17am

Sunset

7:27pm

Road / Vehicle	High Clearance possible when dry
Fees / Permit	None
Directions	Print Version To hike From the Phoenix area- Drive Hwy 87 north through Payson, Pine, and Strawberry.. approx 10.5 miles north of Strawberry on Hwy 87 at MP281.1, turn right at signed FR300 (the Rim Road) and continue on FR300 for ~13.2 miles to the intersection with easy to miss but signed FR398. Turn left onto FR398 and continue for ~.30 miles to road left side Parking/TH Start for this off-trail hike (at waypoint 34.44440 -111.23384). It is highly recommended that you download and follow the Driving Route (with key waypoints) posted above to this hike description; [ Update Directions ] [ Update Permit ]
	Login for Mapped Driving Directions

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

Page created by Grasshopper on Jun 24 2012 2:26 pm

		Bear Canyon Upper - West Bear Canyon Loop, AZ	Print Full \| Basic Directions