• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Telluride’s Bear Creek Trail: Family Perfect

June 7, 2012 by braveskimom

Sometimes the views along the trail aren’t up high.

Memorial Day weekend in Colorado was windy: gale force, hurricane force, batten down the hatches windy. We were south of Telluride at our family cabin and at 10,000 feet, it was cold. So on Sunday morning, when the winds had calmed to a mellow 20 mph (calm?) we needed to get out, get moving and get warmed up.

The trail we chose that day, the Bear Creek Trail, is no secret. In fact, it could be the most popular trail in Telluride. Open to hikers and mountain bikers, it’s also a great five-mile run. The first time we hiked it, our son alternated between backpack and baby steps. More than a decade later, it’s still a family favorite. Here’s why:

1.  Convenience. The Bear Creek trail leaves right from Telluride — the south end of Pine Street, to be exact. This is especially good for families with kids. When you finally get everyone on board for a hike, who wants to sit in the car? Kids don’t.

2.  Ease. A dual-track jeep road until the last 500 yards or so, the footing is easy, there is room to run around and pass other hikers (or let them pass you — you need never feel like your little person is holding up traffic), and let the dogs run. The footing is mostly flat and the incline is slight. Although by the time you reach Upper Bear Creek Falls, you’ll have gained 1,050 feet.

3.  Payoff. While there is no pot-of-gold at the end of this trail, there are sometimes rainbows shimmering in the mist from the waterfall. The trail gets steeper, narrower and a bit more difficult near the falls, but you can hike up close to the water, and in spring, the remaining snow. It’s beautiful!

And, even if you or your kids don’t want to commit to the entire five-mile round trip, there is another natural stopping point about 1.75 miles in: views of another waterfall cascading down the side of the canyon and lots of big flat rocks upon which to rest, soak up the sun and picnic. Right now, there is even a collection of rock cairns being built and rebuilt along a log and upon other rocks. It’s community art in action. Our younger son was so intrigued by the cairns that he stopped here and built some more while we continued on.

Our son’s addition to the cairn art.

In the end, everyone was happy, satisfied and warm. Family perfect, yes?

Enjoy!

 

Bear Creek Lodge on Dwellable

© 2012 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Hiking, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Tagged With: Colorado, Family, Hiking

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Williams says

    June 7, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I love reading about hikes in other parts of the country! Thanks for sharing.

    • braveskimom says

      June 8, 2012 at 6:58 am

      Have you been out on the trail much these summer? Or still to much PNW snow in your area? Have fun!

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids
    Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids
  • Pick Ups Made Easy: The Kinderlift Ski Vest for Kids
    Pick Ups Made Easy: The Kinderlift Ski Vest for Kids
  • Catching Up with US Ski Team Legend Ted Ligety
    Catching Up with US Ski Team Legend Ted Ligety
  • Ski Fashion Preview: Women's Ski Jackets, Sorel Boots and More (Obermeyer Giveaway)
    Ski Fashion Preview: Women's Ski Jackets, Sorel Boots and More (Obermeyer Giveaway)
  • Ski Vacation 101: Feeding the Family
    Ski Vacation 101: Feeding the Family

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...