Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
| Address: | Near Mesa Falls,Ashton, ID 83420, USA |
| GPS: |
44°9'4.1"N 111°17'11.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Idaho |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.3-0.6 mi |
Camp, Cross Country Ski, Hike, and Sled
Bear Gulch is an abandoned ski hill out of operation since 1969.
While the vegetation is beginning to take over, there's still some great sledding to be had. It's just far enough into the hills that there's plenty of snow all through the winter and often from Fall to Spring. The most popular sledding run is on one of the overgrown ski runs. Starting above the parking lot it goes down through a "no motorized vehicles" gate and on down to the creek and old ski lift. Most people stick to the upper portion, especially with smaller children. However, there are a range of heights to start from so there really is something for all ages. The lower portion is faster and windy with usually a decent enough trail cut out that it guides you through every twist and turn all the way to the bottom. Being able to turn isn't essential but you may feel like slowing down or even stopping. Just be careful not to stop in front of somebody else. The hike up is pretty long and a little steep. Be sure to stay out of the way of other sledders coming down.
Mapped Route/Trail Distances
| Sledding Hill | 0.3 miles |
| Trail to Henry's Fork River | 0.6 miles |
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Ashton, Idaho
- Head east on ID-47 N/Main St toward S 6th StContinue to follow ID-47 NDestination will be on the left(11.9 mi)
Take the Mesa Falls Scenic Highway East out of Ashton. Bear Gulch will be on your left just 3.5 miles after crossing Warm River. The road is only plowed as far as Bear Gulch in the winter which makes it considerably easy to find and pretty easy to drive. The parking lot is a favorite for snowmobilers, sledders, and cross-country skiiers alike.
Not accessible from the North during the Winter.
idahodyer
2/17/18 10:25 pmnlrventures
7/13/17 12:18 pm
Trails
Distance ?
0.3 milesElevation Gain ?
-347 feetReal Ascent ?
0 feetReal Descent ?
347 feetAvg Grade (-13°)
-23%Grade (-26° to 0°)
-48% to 0%Distance ?
0.6 milesElevation Gain ?
-295 feetReal Ascent ?
41 feetReal Descent ?
336 feetAvg Grade (-5°)
-9%Grade (-18° to 11°)
-33% to 19%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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