The Mesa Trail (2.75 miles), Bear Canyon Trail (1.85 miles) and Bear Peak West Ridge Trail (1.75 miles) pass through diverse terrain and a varied landscape en route to Bear Peak. Those who value the journey and destination equally may find this route preferable to the more direct but challenging ones of Gregory, Fern and Shadow Canyons.

Flatiron 1 (right) and Flatiron 2 (left) are part of the Fountain Formation, a result of tectonic uplift

Views of the Continental Divide through breaks in the timber leading to Bear Peak

Green Mountain, seen from the summit of Bear Peak

As Precambrian rock eroded sediments were carried away, settled and compressed into sandstone and shale rock called the Fountain Formation

Ponderosa Pine can live 300 - 600 years and exceed 150'

Bear Peak is not the tallest mountain over Boulder, but its pointy, rocky summit can be distinguished from all others and seen from greater distances

The Fountain Formation was tipped steeply to form the Flatirons during the mountian building era of the Cenozoic Period, beginning 65M years ago

Burn scars from the 2012 fire come in full view down the west and north slopes of Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak from the summit

An estimated 700+ species of trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses and ferns live in Boulder's open space and mountain parks

Golden Banner, a member of the pea family, is among the first flowers to bloom in Chautauqua Park

Level intervals between short, steep hills along the Mesa Trail

Autumn foliage lingers well into October in Bear Canyon