BearCynUpr at E Bear to W BearLwr-Mogollon Rim, AZ

Warning
July and August are Monsoon Season on our Mogollon Rim so plan according. This hike has a significant amount of tree cover along the outside boundaries of the main meadows area that this off-trail hike is within. Other than the off-trail start and ending hike distance down to enter Upper Bear Canyon and back up to FR95, the meadows area this hike is mainly within has a significant amount of hiking exposure if monsoon lighting is present.


Overview and Hike
In this Coconino NF- Mogollon Rim section which is fairly close to some of the Cabin Loop Trails, Bear Canyon has three different canyon drainages that intersect this Hike Guide area: Main (Lower-Middle-Upper) Bear Canyon, East Bear Canyon, and West Bear Canyon.This Hike Guide covers a short section of what I consider to be the beginning of the Main (Upper) Bear Canyon section which I peg as starting at its confluence with East Bear Canyon. This short Hike Guide section continues up the Main (Upper) Bear Canyon to end at its confluence with the Lower End of West Bear Canyon. One can continue up the East Bear Canyon Drainage, or one can continue up the more difficult to bushwhack and rock/boulder hop West Bear Canyon Drainage (for ~1/2ml to Autumn Maple Village Bliss) or continue further up the easier to navigate Bear Canyon Main (Upper) Drainage or just decide to do a short 2.2 miles "Out N Back" as these Hike Guide authors decided to do.

Synopsis
Through the years, the author has hiked most all of the Bear Canyon Drainage Sections mentioned above, except for the Main (Lower) Section South of the FR95 crossing. In the author's opinion, this Hike Guide 2.2 mile Out N Back Section is without question the most beautiful, remote, scenic, with colorful riparian meadow areas, and with 12 months/year perennial water flow.

After four (4) different off-trail attempts through the years to find an easy-to-navigate route down to this specific section of Bear Canyon, finally with this fourth attempt utilizing a Parking and TH Start down FR95, this is it!

Water Sources
Twelve (12) months/year perennial water flow.

Camping
Several lovely locations to Backpack Camp (Family with younger kids too!), with an excellent probability of viewing wildlife in the early mornings and early evenings.

2022-06-22 Grasshopper & EmilyT