NorCal TTORA
California Trail Info

The Bear Valley Loop
Rating: 4

The Bear Valley Trail is a 20 mile loop through the mountains and valleys near the Bear Valley campground. The main trail is relatively easy, but there are plenty of optional obstacles to play on if you want a challenge.

Requirements: The Bear Valley Trail requires 4wd.

Directions: Take highway 89 north from Truckee. After about 15 miles turn right on Cottonwood Road. Follow Cottonwood road for about 6 miles to the Bear Valley Campground. The trail starts at the campground. The trail is very well marked if you follow the loop in a clockwise direction.

Gas Up: Get gas in Truckee or Sierraville if coming from the north.

GPS Coordinates:
Trailhead: N39° 33.414 W120° 14.219

Click for Wide Area Map

The trail begins at the Bear Valley campground. Clockwise is the recommended direction to run the loop, in that direction the trail is very well marked.

There are several hillclimbs and optional obstacles to play on.

This obstacle is named 'Oh Shit Hill'. There is an easier route to the north.

The majority of the trail is made up of fire roads, but there are plenty of small rock gardens to navigate.

The west side of the loop winds through a meadow with a small stream. There are several nice places to camp along the way.

A large section of the area was devastated by a forest fire. Please be careful while recreating in the national forests.

Links to more Bear Valley pictures:
http://www.norcalttora.com/gallery/album52/