Goose Creek to Bear Creek Up and Back 18.93 miles

Overview: NOTE: PORTIONS OF THIS TRAIL AFTER THE TRAIL CREEK CABIN ARE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE. DUE TO A LAND SWAP THE PORTION DIRECTLY AFTER THE TRAIL CREEK CABIN IS NOW PRIVATE LAND. This area can also be accessed from Bear Canyon or Newman trailhead off Trail Creek. This route takes the rider into the area in the center of our posted “Goose Creek to Bear Canyon Loop – 16 mile” route. Like the ponds loop, this route offers a wide variety of forest service road and open meadows, with some moderate climbing but nothing steep and nothing technical. The old cabins could be accessed from this point for a shorter loop route.

Map: This map was “hand-drawn”. Not actual tracks.

Distance: Approximately 19 miles

Elevation Gain: Unknown. Moderate.

Technicality: Non-technical

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Parking: Good gravel road to trailhead. Room for several rigs depending on how many hikers are also there. Room to back out of parking spots.

Shared Use: Motorized allowed on the forest service roads – generally low traffic. Most traffic in the first 3 miles.

Facilities: None

Directions: I-90 to exit 316 Trail Creek Rd. South on Trail Creek Rd for 3 miles. Right onto Goose Creek road, go 2 miles to trail head.

Trail Navigation: Follow the main road from the trailhead to the Forest Service Cabin at 5 miles. Just after the cabin take the first right where the trails cross. Follow the map from there.

Water: Bear Creek and a couple of small ponds. All had water 7/4/17.

Season: Area of much snow with a short riding season. Ponds section muddy in Spring.

Timing: Approximately 8 hours. This included leading green horses on foot through some sections so speed was slow. None of the ride is technical and most could be done at faster walk or a trot for a faster time.

Notables:

A lot of variation available as the Bear Canyon Loop trail is accessible from not only Goose Creek but from the Newman trailhead off of Trail Creek, Bear Canyon Rd, and the Chestnut trail.

Hazards: Bears are known to frequent the area. Grizzly prints were found in the general area in Fall 2016. I have ridden the area quite a few times and never spotted any bears. Cattle might be found in unusual areas such as hiding in the trees.

Photos: None – see other Goose Creek posts for general area photos.

Videos:  None

Views:  Some views towards Paradise Valley in the first 5 miles.