Bear Peak
Bear Peak viewed from the NCAR Trail
Highest point
Elevation8,459 ft (2,578 m)[1][2]
Prominence281 ft (86 m)[3]
Isolation0.50 mi (0.80 km)[3]
Coordinates39°57′37″N 105°17′43″W / 39.9602547°N 105.2951657°W / 39.9602547; -105.2951657[1]
Geography
Bear Peak is located in Colorado
Bear Peak
Bear Peak
LocationBoulder County, Colorado, U.S.[4]
Parent rangeFront Range[3]
Topo mapUSGS 7.5' topographic map
Eldorado Springs, Colorado[1]
Climbing
Easiest routehike

Bear Peak is a mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 8,459-foot (2,578 m) peak is located in Boulder Mountain Park, 5.2 miles (8.3 km) south-southwest (bearing 206°) of downtown Boulder in Boulder County, Colorado, United States.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Mountain

Bear Peak is generally considered to be at the southern end of Boulder's Flatirons range, rock formations on the westernmost part of the city. The hike to the top of Bear Peak is a popular activity and is considered the most strenuous hike in the immediate Boulder area. True to its name, bear can sometimes be seen on the nearby trails. Two steep trails lead up to the peak, Shadow Canyon and Fern Canyon. The views from the top of Bear Peak are excellent with Boulder, Denver, the Indian Peaks mountain range, and Rocky Mountain National Park peaks all visible. It’s not safe to hike to the peak or be near the summit during thunderstorms and fatalities have occurred in recent years. In addition to hiking, Bear Peak has at least three rock climbing formations directly adjacent — The Slab, The Goose, and Seal Rock. These formations have rock climbs ranging from 5.2 (easy) to 5.13 (quite difficult). On June 26, 2012, the Flagstaff Fire erupted and burned an upper section of Bear Peak. Some homes in south Boulder were evacuated but no structures were lost in the blaze.[8] The Flagstaff Fire was part of a busy 2012 fire season for Colorado.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "BOULDER RESET". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved October 19, 2014. Note: The summit of Bear Peak is +1.22 m (+4.0 ft) higher than NGS station BOULDER RESET.
  2. ^ a b The elevation of Bear Peak includes an adjustment of +1.121 m (+3.68 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bear Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Bear Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  5. ^ "Bear Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost".
  6. ^ "Total Boulder - Bear Peak".
  7. ^ "LocalHikes - Bear Peak". Archived from the original on 2004-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  8. ^ "Colorado fires: Boulder breathes easier as rain falls - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. 27 June 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bear Peak (Boulder County, Colorado).


Mountains of Colorado
State of Colorado
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