Bear Canyon Trail

The Trail


Bear Canyon is a moderate to difficult 1.7 mile trail (one way) with approximately a 1440 foot elevation change. If you start this trail from Mutual Dell off the Alpine Loop, it sets out at a decent climb, levels off briefly, then continues up and a pretty steady pace. The first part of the trail is marked as trail 143. Later it turns into trail 179. It crosses Timpooneke Road and trail 179 continues on the other side. This trail also connects to the Timpooneke Campground if you follow the turn off for it. This trail is also part of loop that connects with the Pine Hollow Trail if you go along the Timpooneke Road.

The trail mostly goes through pine forest area, and overall is very well shaded. Since we hiked this trail at the tail end of May during a cool year, it was still covered with a good amount of snow, especially as our elevation increased. By the end, we hit so much snow we could no longer find the trail. The trail does continue further, but we don't know exactly where it ends. The trail is probably a bit more scenic and easy to follow a bit later in the year.

This trail is open to horseback riding and bicycling. For more information on this area, please see Alpine Loop.

Topographical Map

Trail on Google Earth

Graph of Trail Elevation

 

Directions

This trail is along the Alpine Loop. From I-15 take Exit 284 in Utah County. Continue straight west along UT-92, up into the canyon. There is a $6.00 fee to continue up the canyon. Keep going until you reach Mutual Dell (about 13.5 miles up the road from the freeway), which will be on the right. Turn into Mutual Dell, keep to the right, and continue to the end of the road. The trail head is off the parking lot. This trail can also be accessed from the other end along Timpooneke Road.

Looking down Timpooneke Road

Looking up the trail