Bear Creek

Bear Creek is an easy, short out-and-back hike in the Alpine Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona. The trail is about 1.6 miles long, with a low point of 7,159 feet and a high of 7,460 feet, and it gains about 1 foot of elevation. That makes it a gentle walk rather than a climb, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surface and open to both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail, so plan for that if you need a route that works with mobility aids. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Alpine weather station show May highs around 69°F and October highs around 64°F, while July and August bring the most wet days, about 13 to 15 a month. The Bear Creek trailhead parking is the starting point, and the trail is open year-round. Nearby, the Black River offers canoeing about 1.8 miles away, and Caldwell Cabin campground is about 2.2 miles off. Fish Bench and Double Cienega are both within about 5 miles.