Grizzly Bear Creek Trail #7

Grizzly Bear Creek Trail #7 is part of the Black Elk Wilderness trail system and runs for 6.1 miles. It starts just east of the Iron Creek Horse Camp off of Camp Remington Road and enters the Black Elk Wilderness right away where you’ll have to register to hike the trail. After 3 miles, the trail leads to the Horsethief Lake Trail #14 which if you take will go to Horsethief Lake. The total distance is about 5.6 miles - 3 miles to trail 14 and 2.6 miles to Horsethief Lake. If you choose to stay on Trail #7 it goes another 3.1 miles (total 6.1 miles) and runs into Trail #4 - Little Devil’s Tower Trail which will then take you to Black Elk Peak or Little Devil’s Tower depending which way you turn. From there you can choose several more trails - Trail #9 to Sylvan Lake, or Norbeck Trail #3 back to Grizzly Bear Creek and Iron Creek Horse Camp.

Trail #7 starts off pretty easy the first 4 miles. About 1 mile after you hit the intersection with Trail #14 it starts to get pretty hard and the last 2 miles goes up hill with a 1500 foot increase in elevation. The trail is pretty and goes through some wet areas and cool rock formations. The creek should be running except in extended dry conditions and is a good source of water if needed. When we did this trail we did it as a combination - walking Trail #7 and Trail #3. It was round trip around 13 miles and made for a long day. Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, good hiking boots, hiking sticks, and a raincoat. This area is pretty remote and has very few hikers. There is also limited cell service, so plan accordingly.