Bear Canyon Trail

Name: Bear Canyon Trail
Rating: 4.3

4.3 ( 4 )

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Trail

1.8 mile 2.9 kilometer point to point
58% Runnable
Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 1,812' 552 m
Descent: 0' 0 m
High: 7,975' 2,431 m
Low: 6,164' 1,879 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 19% (11°)
Max Grade: 67% (34°)

Dogs

No Dogs

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Trail shared by Kristen Arendt

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Popular runs nearby

From the Bowl Trail, you can experience great views into Bear Canyon before joining the Bear Canyon Trail.

The Bowl Loop

8.6 mi 13.9 km • Loop • 2,565 ft Ascent 781.76 m Ascent

Singletrack Pine Springs, TX

( 5 )

About halfway up to the top of the canyon - you can see the fall colors around the lower portion of the trail below.

The Notch Out-and-Back

9.9 mi 16.0 km • Out and Back • 1,092 ft Ascent 332.84 m Ascent

Singletrack Pine Springs, TX

( 3 )

Sitting Bull Falls Loop Trail

9.9 mi 15.9 km • Loop • 1,782 ft Ascent 543.24 m Ascent

Singletrack Whites City, NM

( 2 )

Rattlesnake Canyon Loop

6.1 mi 9.9 km • Loop • 676 ft Ascent 205.99 m Ascent

Singletrack Whites City, NM

( 3 )

Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns.... only 750" under ground

Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail

0.8 mi 1.3 km • Loop • 66 ft Ascent 20.08 m Ascent

Paved Path Whites City, NM

( 3 )

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“A short but strenuous climb from Frijole Trail to the Bowl Trail.”

— Kristen Arendt

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Description

Don't underestimate this challenging trail! Although it is just under 2 miles in length, it packs quit the punch, climbing 1,800 ft. up Bear Canyon to a junction with the Bowl Trail. The trail is steep for most of its length, and you'll probably want to stop to catch your breath a couple times on the way up.

The first part of the trail heads through the canyon with the tall canyon walls towering above you. Once you gain a bit more elevation, the Bear Canyon Trail offers nice views looking along the north side of the canyon and down to the plains. Overall, there is a lot to see on this short trail, as long as you don't mind the leg-burning climb.