Bear and South Boulder Peaks Loop

The Bear and South Boulder Peaks Hike is one of our favorite adventures near Boulder. Hike through meadowlands, ponderosa pine forests, and rocky screes up to two of Boulder’s big three summits. Put your stamina to the test as you hike up to high elevations along vertiginous terrain. Traveling to high altitudes, make sure to head out in the early morning and check the forecast prior to your ascent to mitigate the chances of getting caught in an afternoon storm. Additionally, when hiking in the fall and winter months, be sure to wear microspikes.

Embark on your journey along the Bear and South Boulder Peaks Trail from the trailhead off Cragmoor Road. From here, track the Cragmoor Connector Trail west, merging onto the Shanahan North Fork Trail through the woodlands. Eventually, the path will merge onto the Shanahan Mesa Trail, which will deliver adventurers to a junction. Here, keep left and you will be diverted along the Fern Canyon Trail. Scramble up the vertiginous terrain, hiking along the path all the way to the summit of Bear Peak, then along the South Boulder Peak Trail up to the second summit.

Enjoy the views then trek down the Shadow Canyon Trail east, connecting with the Shadow Canyon North Trail at the base of the peak. At the route’s end, hook onto the Mesa Trail, wandering north. At the Shanahan intersection, keep right and track the Shanahan South Fork Trail onto the Shanahan Connector Trail. Take the Shanahan North Fork Trail east at the next junction, hiking this route all the way back to the trailhead.