11 Attachment(s)
Trip Report St. Charles Canyon near Bear Lake
An all singletrack lollipop loop in an high altitude, alpine setting suitable for a strong intermediate rider. Expect pine needle paved trials, shade, some technical sections, water crossings, and mosquitos. Best ridden counter-clockwise as the more used trail up North Fork St. Charles Creek is a better trail than the downhill section in Snowslide Canyon. The ride up to the ridge is about 9% but the section just off the ridge in Snowslide is 13% for quite a stretch. Not too bad down but would be tough going up. The 3.5 mile long ride along the ridge is up and down and quite often rocky. It's all close to 9,000 foot altitude, with spectacular views however only one glimpse of Bear Lake. This trail is open to bikes, motorcycles (not ATVs), horses, and hikers. Horse hoof damage was non-existant, there were a couple of places where motorcycles had chewed up some climbs, but not bad. All the downed trees had been cleared on July 11, 2009 when this gps track was made. The trailhead is northwest of the Cloverleaf Campground in St. Charles Canyon at 42.09737
