Bear Mountain Hike
Shaded • Bicycle-friendly • Kid-friendly
WIth just 700 ft of vertical gain over two miles, the trail to Bear Mountain offers a gentle hike. And its shaded north-facing exposure protects hikers from the sun while still offering views of the Lake Chelan valley.
View of Chelan, the Butte, and Lower Lake Chelan from Bear Mountain
Getting There
The best route to the trailhead is from the county-maintained Bear Mountain Road off of Navarre Coulee Road. Drive along the south shore on Hwy 971 from Chelan, stay on 971 as it turns left just past the Alpenhorn and climbs through the big switchback to the top of the hill.
Take a left turn onto Bear Mountain Road and then continue 3 miles until you arrive at the four corners intersection. Take a right and continue the short distance until you encounter a forest service gate. This is the beginning of our hike.
NOTE: The Google Map below shows both the driving section (A to A) and the hiking section (A to B). It can be accessed on your phone with this link.
The Route
The route follows Forest Service road 8550 for two miles winding up through ponderosa and fir forests. The grade is very moderate and the road wide and in good condition. Intermediate bicyclists will enjoy the route as much as hikers.
Note that there are some sections of private property at the beginning of the hike. You will see No Trespassing signs on various trees. Stay on the road in this area. See the map below showing the approximate transition to public lands.
After hiking roughly 1.8 miles, you will see the summit to Bear Mountain to your right. There isn’t an actual trail to the summit. Veer right off the road and continue up the slope. It is a short scramble to the summit.
A phone app such as Gaia GPS can be helpful to track your progress.
