Bruin Bluff

Morrison, CO

Bruin Bluff

Lair O’ the Bear, a Jefferson County Open Space Park, nestles in an east-west canyon through which fair-sized Bear Creek flows. The Bruin Bluff Loop covers a variety of habitats from riparian to rocky outcrop and from conifer forest to dry shrub land in its two-mile length. The loop begins evenly along the creek and rises after a bridge crossing. Leaving the open, the route enters a conifer-dominated segment, followed by rocky outcrops, before dropping back down to creek level. A bounty of at least six dozen kinds of wildflowers may be blooming, including a splendid display of pasqueflowers in April. In mid-June, the banks of Bear Creek near Dipper Bridge turn bright yellow with Macoun buttercup. Wildflower alert: Thousands of purple pasqueflowers in April; June features buttercups.

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