Michigan · Hiking · Sylvania Wilderness

West Bear

West BearPhoto: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
0.6 mi
round trip
137 ft
climb
1,741 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is West Bear open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ottawa National Forest. It doesn't name West Bear, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

West Bear is an easy, 0.55-mile out-and-back hike in the Sylvania Wilderness, within the Watersmeet Ranger District of the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail rises from 1,696 feet to a high point of 1,741 feet, with a total elevation gain of 137 feet. The steepest stretch comes about a quarter of the way in at a 12% grade, and the route returns to the starting point on the same path. The natural-surface trail is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station in Paulding run to highs around 78°F and lows near 52°F, while January highs sit around 21°F. The hike takes about half an hour to complete and is open year-round. High Lake lies 0.8 miles away, and Katherine Lake is 1.5 miles off. Clark Lake - Sylvania Camp and the Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping area are both about 1.7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit West Bear

    Best months: May–September. 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

      21° / 2°

    2. Feb

      25° / 3°

    3. Mar

      37° / 12°

    4. Apr

      49° / 25°

    5. May

      64° / 38°

    6. Jun

      74° / 48°

    7. Jul

      78° / 52°

    8. Aug

      76° / 50°

    9. Sep

      68° / 43°

    10. Oct

      53° / 32°

    11. Nov

      38° / 22°

    12. Dec

      26° / 10°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Paulding, MI, 11.6 mi away at 1,367 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.