Bear Peak via Shadow and Fern Canyons Loop in Chautauqua Park, CO

Hike Bear Peak via Shadow and Fern Canyons Loop Chautauqua Park, CO

Class 2 9.3 miles 3500 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Aug 21, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bear Peak via Shadow and Fern Canyons Loop GPX Track

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Starting from the South Mesa Trailhead, follow the Homestead Trail on a mixture of trail and dirt road until you reach the Shadow Canyon Trail, which takes you steeply to the saddle of South Boulder Mountain and Bear Peak. South Boulder Mountain is worth the extra little hike, with really nice views east toward Boulder, north to Bear Peak, and west toward the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Once done with South Boulder Mountain, follow the trail up to a short section of Class 2 to reach the Bear Peak summit. Continue down the Fern Canyon Trail and onto the Mesa Trail, taking you back.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
South Boulder Peak
8549 ft
1069 rise
2
Bear Peak
8461 ft
261 rise

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Starting along the Mesa Trail.
Starting along the Mesa Trail.
Break off from the Mesa Trail and head onto the Homestead Trail.
Break off from the Mesa Trail and head onto the Homestead Trail.
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Homestead Trail changes from trail to dirt road a couple of times.
Homestead Trail changes from trail to dirt road a couple of times.
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Homestead Trail meets with the Shadow Canyon Trail.
Homestead Trail meets with the Shadow Canyon Trail.
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Shadow Canyon Trail heads up through the canyon steeply.
Shadow Canyon Trail heads up through the canyon steeply.
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Eventually, the Shadow Canyon Trail emerges from the woods and into a burnt forest area.
Eventually, the Shadow Canyon Trail emerges from the woods and into a burnt forest area.
South Boulder Peak on the left, the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak on the right.
South Boulder Peak on the left, the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak on the right.
Looking back down Shadow Canyon from the saddle.
Looking back down Shadow Canyon from the saddle.
From the saddle, looking toward South Boulder Peak.
From the saddle, looking toward South Boulder Peak.
South Boulder Peak ahead.
South Boulder Peak ahead.
Almost at the summit of South Boulder Peak, looking toward Bear Peak.
Almost at the summit of South Boulder Peak, looking toward Bear Peak.
South Boulder Peak summit, looking south.
South Boulder Peak summit, looking south.
South Boulder Peak summit, looking northwest toward the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
South Boulder Peak summit, looking northwest toward the Indian Peaks Wilderness.
Back at the saddle, looking toward Bear Peak.
Back at the saddle, looking toward Bear Peak.
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Mini Class 2 section to the Bear Peak summit.
Mini Class 2 section to the Bear Peak summit.
Bear Peak summit looking toward South Boulder Peak.
Bear Peak summit looking toward South Boulder Peak.
Heading down from Bear Peak on the Fern Canyon Trail. Green Mountain visible on the left.
Heading down from Bear Peak on the Fern Canyon Trail. Green Mountain visible on the left.
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Fern Canyon Trail.
Fern Canyon Trail.
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Fern Canyon Trail opens up into a meadow.
Fern Canyon Trail opens up into a meadow.
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Along the Mesa Trail, nice views of the peaks to the west. South Boulder Peak is up there somewhere.
Along the Mesa Trail, nice views of the peaks to the west. South Boulder Peak is up there somewhere.
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Looking back along the Mesa Trail.
Looking back along the Mesa Trail.
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Mesa Trail leads through some more meadows before reaching the trailhead again.
Mesa Trail leads through some more meadows before reaching the trailhead again.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!