Bear Creek Camping

John Muir Wilderness

photo of Rosemarie Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, California
photo of Rosemarie Meadow, John Muir Wilderness, California

Bear Creek Camping

John Muir Wilderness


Camping Along Bear Creek

Good campsites are scattered along Bear Creek from just a mile or two above the Bear Creek Diversion Dam trailhead all the way up the creek's headwaters near Selden Pass. Many hikers opt to take a side trail to one of the nearby lakes to camp. One of the most convenient is Lou Beverly Lake, less than a mile off the John Muir Trail (2 miles above the Hilgard Branch junction). Note that the sign for the Lou Beverly Lake turnoff is off the main trail a dozen yards.

Rose Lake, John Muir Wilderness, California

Rose Lake


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Fishing

Fishing for brook trout is good along Bear Creek, especially along the first several miles above the diversion dam. In the higher country try alpine lakes such as Lou Beverly Lake, Sandpiper Lake, Three Island Lake, and Rose Lake. Look for golden trout in the outlet stream from Rose Lake.



Medley Lake, John Muir Wilderness Wilderness, California

Medley Lake

Explore the Area

With clusters of lakes and soaring peaks spread around the greater Bear Creek vicinity, it would take at least week to explore them all. One interesting choice is an easy cross-country hike past Sandpiper Lake, Medley Lake, and up to Three Island Lake. A more adventurous trek is up the East Fork to Seven Gables Lakes and beyond to Vee Lake. A 5-mile trail leads up the Hilgard Branch to Lake Italy. Another easy side trip is up to 10,500-foot Rose Lake.

Following the John Muir Trail south leads through beautiful country that includes Rosemarie Meadow, Marie Lake, and eventually the summit of Selden Pass.



Peak Bagging

13,075-foot Seven Gables is class 2 from the west slope. Read the details in Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.


Dangerous Stream Crossings

Even as late as August the crossing of Bear Creek at Upper Bear Creek Meadows can be dangerous. The crossing is well-known among John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail hikers. Depending on the year, cold, thigh-deep water can be rushing down the channel. Fortunately investigating downstream or upstream can often lead to a log across the water.

The Hilgard Branch crossing can be tricky too at times of heavy runoff. Unless it has been a light snow year, exploring upper Bear Creek is usually best done in late summer or fall.