Bear Lake Hike

Overview

Bear Lake is a secluded little gem nestled below the scree slopes of Mount Defiance . It can be done as part of the short hike to the top of Mount Defiance (see the Mount Defiance South Hike ), as an add-on to hikes from the Rainy Lake Trailhead , or as a destination in and of itself. There are a couple of campsites back from the lakeshore in the woods. Head 40 yards into the woods on the opposite side of the road from the parking area and come to a large map board and the junction of the Wyeth Trail #411, leading to North Lake, and the Mt. Defiance Trail #413. Go right on the latter trail and head into a coniferous woodland of mountain hemlock, silver fir, noble fir, western white pine, and Douglas-fir. Huckleberry and bear-grass predominate in the understory. Rise slowly to the unmarked Mount Defiance-Bear Lake Trail Junction , indicated by a small cairn. Go left here on the Bear Lake Trail #413A. After a few yards, enter the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The trail rises gently and crosses the top of a talus field. After reentering the woods, the trail drops down on a rocky tread to the shore of Bear Lake . Newts drift lazily in the waters and the scree slopes of Mount Defiance loom above. Spend a few minutes or a night enjoying the scene.

Trail Stats

Photos

Trail photo

Hike to Bear Lake shown in red (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: National Geographic Topo

Trail photo

West shore of Bear Lake (bobcat)

Trail photo

On the Bear Lake Trail (bobcat)

Trail photo

Bear Lake with Mt. Defiance to the east (bobcat)

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