Bear Creek Trail/ Kelsey NRT
Trailheads Bear Lake Trailhead Drive there · Norcross Trailhead Drive there
Bear Lake Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
Small trailhead up a steep and difficult road. Bypasses a portion of the Kelsey National Trail between the larger Norcross Trailhead and the Bear Lake Trailhead. Very short, steep hike in to a spectacular area of the Marble Mountain Wilderness, along Bear Creek to Bear Lake, then meeting the Pacific Crest Trail.
Norcross Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
No fee
The Norcross Trailhead is located at the southern end of the Norcross Campground. Completely destroyed in the Panther Fire in 2008, Norcross Campground has been rebuilt and reopened in late 2009. Water is available for horses but not for human consumption. There are two main trails out of Norcross heading into the Marble Mountain Wilderness; the Elk Creek Trail and the Kelsey National Recreation Trail along Bear Creek to Bear Valley and Bear Lake. The Elk Creek Trail can be ridden or hiked as 4 different loops with a variety of destinations and mountain lakes.
Restrictions Do not tie horses to trees, living or dead. Do not tie horses to corral rails or posts. Keep horses away from the creek. Avoid damage to creek bank. Carry water to horses in corrals. Water for humans and garbage service are not provided. Bring enough water for drinking, cooking and washing as well as extra water to drown campfires each day. Please take all trash, garbage, fish guts and dog droppings with you when you leave. Dogs on leash only. Camping limit 14 days.