Bear Gulch

Bear Gulch is a rough trail that, depending on your direction of travel, requires you to either climb or descend approximately 1400 feet of elevation over the course of 3.5 miles. If traveling from Locke Mountain in the east, you will have to descend the 1400 feet, and for the next 3.5 miles, you probably will not touch your gas pedal. If coming from CR 271 in the west, your experience on the trail will be the complete opposite, so sit back and watch your miles per gallon plummet as you climb into the San Isabel National Forest. If the steep climb and descent were not enough, the trail is rather tight, and pull-offs for oncoming traffic are extremely limited, so keep tabs of places to pull over if you are met with opposing traffic. Also, remember that uphill traffic generally has the right of way. There are no campsites along the trail, but there were plenty to choose from on Locke Mountain.