Length: 6.8 miles round trip
Elevation Change: 1504' gain
Season: Summer thru fall
Difficulty: Challenging
Permit: NW Forest Pass Required
Latitude: 46.5562
Longitude: -121.3105
Features:
This is a popular hike that is so worth the difficult ride to its
trailhead. The last tenth of a mile is extremely challenging and
should only be navigated by high clearance vehicles.
From the parking area, the trail passes Section 3 Lake and then climbs
rather abruptly for the first tenth of a mile, then it continues on at
a more reasonable grade.
In mid-July the wildflowers are in all their glory most of the hike.
The trail wanders through dense forest and open meadows. You only
gain about 400 feet of elevation in the first 2.5 miles.
After you come to the junction of trails 1130 and 1130A, the trail
begins a very steep climb to the summit of Bear Creek Mountain.
You will climb almost 1000 feet in only .8 mile.
In early summer, there is almost a lot of snow on the shaded areas of this
climb to the summit. Micro-spikes could be useful in one of the very
steep and snow covered areas.
As the trail levels out a bit on the southern flank of the mountain,
you will be presented with absolutely world class vistas, ranging from
Mt. Adams to the south and the spectacular Goat Rocks to the southwest.
As you near the summit, you Mt. Rainier comes into view.
Goat Rocks from Bear Creek Mountain
|
