This ride is for RMOTHG members attending our Summer Picnic. The route is a figure 8 within the Bear Creek Lake Park that begins and ends at the Mountain View shelter. The first segment is a beautiful 6.5 mile loop around Bear Creek Lake with a total gain of 270 feet. The second optional loop is more difficult. It adds an additional 5 miles and 500 ft elevation gain and includes the ascent of Mount Carbon. Total distance 11.5 miles with 770 feet total elevation gain.
From St. Elmo via Poplar Gulch trail and then ascend unnamed peak 13,090' and return.
This hike is limited to attendees of our RMOTHG Annual Picnic. At 5 miles and 173' of elevation-gain this hike does a shorter loop around Bear Creek Park and features some wonderful scenery along the way. Half the journey is in beautiful, shaded woodlands parallel to Bear Creek. The other half winds around the east end of Bear Creek Reservoir . We'll hike at a pace that allows for chatting along the way, but we''ll also be “keepin it movin” at about 1.8 mph. Estimated time to complete: 2.5 hours.
Picnic attendees only, please!!! We will hike up the west side of the Winston K. Walker Loop, stopping to admire a lovely view of Mount Blue Sky near the top before heading down Bear Creek & Bear Creek Cutoff Trails back to our cars. We will be walking along Bear Creek for a tad bit at the end of our hike, it's just lovely!!! I plan on having our hike finish so that we can make it to the picnic by 11:00AM.
