Colorado · Hiking

Little Bear Pack Trail

3.7 mi
round trip
459 ft
climb
8,651 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Little Bear Pack Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in San Juan National Forest. It doesn't name Little Bear Pack Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · San Juan National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Little Bear Pack Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's San Juan National Forest, within the Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. The trail rises about 460 feet over a 3.7-mile round trip, from a low of 8,149 feet to a high of 8,651 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is a natural-surface trail that allows horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cortez show June highs around 76°F and September highs around 71°F, with July the warmest month at about 82°F. The station sits roughly 600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on top run cooler. The Bear Creek Trailhead parking area is the starting point, and the trail is open from June 1 to October 31. Morrison and Bear Creek are both about 0.2 miles away, and the Morrison Trail is about 1.3 miles off. Climbers can find the Hillside Drive in San Juan National Forest about 3.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Little Bear Pack Trail

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 22°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 24°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      47° / 30°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 35°

      7 wet

    5. May

      65° / 44°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 54°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 58°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 57°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 50°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 40°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      45° / 30°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 22°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cortez 8 Se, CO, 27.9 mi away at 8,034 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.