Bear Creek Trail
There were few good roads in Colorado before the turn of the century, and one of the greatest challenges faced by miners was transportation. Discovering the gold or silver was often the easy part. After a claim was staked the early miners were faced with the problem of getting their ore to a mill and bringing in tons of equipment so they could process the ore closer to the mine. They often struggled mightily to build roads and trails through the rugged mountains without the help of modern machinery. The Bear Creek Trail now stands as a monument to the determination and perseverance of Colorado’s nineteenth century miners. It was originally built in the mid- 1870s, and rerouted to its present location 20 years later.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Bear Creek Trail
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Ouray |
| Length | 7.6 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,640 ft |
| Skill Level | Well maintained and easy to follow. |
| Duration | 5.75 hours |
| Season | Midsummer through mid-fall. The trail is generally covered with snow from mid-November through June. |
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