Bear Basin Windrivers

[andyjaggy]

Has anyone been into Bear Basin in the northern winds. Just looking around on maps and google earth and it looks like a really interesting area.

Would you access it via the Roaring Fork Trail from Green River Lakes? What about access via Clear Lake? What is the off trail travel like, pretty rough, or pretty easy going?

 

[Jackson]

I've never been myself, but I know from asking on here and reading others' reports that going up the Clear Creek meadows/drainage from Green River Lakes is a rough time over tons of deadfall once you get past the natural bridge and where the trail ends. Roaring Fork to near Faler Lake is probably a better bet, but I don't really know.

I think @Bob knows a fair amount about the area.

 

[westy]

as of 10 years ago clear creek was a schwack-and-a-half. staying right was easiest but still some slow going over plentiful deadfall at times. but view from outlet of clear lake is spectacular. roaring fork was easy trail up to jumping off point. off trail was easy, up n down n around but easy. was a nice area, easy access to continental divide and numereous basins either side of it. enjoy !

 

[westy]

as of 10 years ago clear creek was a schwack-and-a-half. staying right was easiest but still some slow going over plentiful deadfall at times. but view from outlet of clear lake is spectacular. roaring fork was easy trail up to jumping off point. off trail was easy, up n down n around but easy. was a nice area, easy access to continental divide and numereous basins either side of it. enjoy !

 

[Bob]

Up roaring fork or over Osborne Mt. Basin itself is very rocky and slow travel. Cont divide is somewhat easier walking but high elevation. Heading there August will post a report........hopefully.

 

[b.stark]

In 2009 we went up to the Bear Basin via the Roaring Fork. Good trail to Alexander Park, then we lost it for quite a while. Rough going until you pick trail back up going up to Crescent Lake. Once you get up there it's a choose-your-own adventure. Beautiful and brutal. We had a lot of snow that year which really helped out. Hiking on the divide in this part of the Winds is a singularly amazing experience, but you work for it!

Edited to add a picture of somewhere between Crescent Lake and Bear Lake

 

[Dave]

I've looked at this route on maps several times. Would love to make a go of it sometime.

 

[Bob]

Done this year with Art, Keith and Joey......... at least some of Bear basin. Rough and rugged.........