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16 Bear Lakes

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Trip Data: 11S 339738 4132346 (at Vee Lake); 39 miles; 5/1 days

Topos: Mt. Givens, Florence Lake, Mt. Hilgard

Highlights: This spectacular hike tours a wide variety of High Sierra delights. Starting from the forested depths of Bear Creek Canyon, this trip climbs to the picturesque and secluded Bear Lakes through glacially carved valleys and lush meadows. Although several parts of the terrain are strenuous, solitude and breathtaking beauty richly reward the determined hiker.

HEADS UP! This trip is for experienced hikers only. The route involves some cross-country travel.

DAY 1 (Bear Dam Junction to Twin Falls, 5.5 miles): From the junction with the paved road, the unmaintained 4WD road to Bear Dam heads east. The dusty road first descends to cross open granite slabs, and then it climbs for 2 miles before reaching the trailhead above Bear Diversion Dam (7400´; 11S 325053 4134161).

Here, the rocky road becomes a wide, northeast-bound trail that soon passes the sign for John Muir Wilderness. For the first mile, the path is gentle and easy, with many inviting pools and fine campsites to be found next to the creek and among the live oaks. Once past the unmapped cutoff for the Bear Ridge Trail, the path branches east up the hill and parallels the course of Bear Creek. The creek here runs over short, rocky falls and swift rapids, and it collects in long, quiet pools shaded by aspens.