more stats
3,219 ft
Distance
136 ft
Climb
-36 ft
Descent
00:07:35
Avg time
100 ft
Altitude change
3,014 ft
Altitude min
3,114 ft
Altitude max
3,014 ft
Altitude start
3,114 ft
Altitude end
3.1%
Grade
-9.3%
Grade max
20%
Grade min
2,162 ft
Distance climb
866 ft
Distance down
190 ft
Distance flat
00:07:35
Avg time

Bear Claw Lower Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Moonrakers
    Golden, British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    45 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in E-Biking
    • 60 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #123182 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #143506 in E-Biking
    • #118100 in Trail Running
    • #329066 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    May-Nov
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes
  • TTFs on Trail
    Bridge

Back in the day, Bear Claw used to be the main artery for getting into the Moonrakers from the southern end of the trail network. It is a long trail connecting from Sander Lake all the way to the Canyon, with several jump off points to other trails. Use Lower Bear Claw to climb up from Sander Lake to trails like Arrowhead, Better Than Boston, and Devil's Slide.

The lower part of Bear Claw climbs through forest, jumping onto the Tower Road trail for a brief section. Expect a continuous mild to moderate push up to the top, with a couple of short punchy sections.

Access Info

Originally accessed from the old Sander Lake trailhead, can now be accessed from the new Gudjonson trailhead in Nicholson if you don't want to ride up a steep, private road. Take Sternwheeler trail to 2% to Sander Lake.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 18 rides
  • 10 miles avg distance
All
  • 176 rides
  • Last: Aug 13, 2026
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Bear Claw Lower Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 29, 2026 @ 4:59pm (Pacific/Midway)
May 29, 2026
Apr 23, 2026 @ 5:55pm (America/Edmonton)
Apr 23, 2026
 reporter
Mar 30, 2026 @ 7:56pm (America/Edmonton)
Mar 30, 2026
 reporter The trail crew will open trails as they are assessed. Thanks.
Jul 23, 2025 @ 6:03pm
Jul 23, 2025
Apr 27, 2025 @ 6:29pm
Apr 27, 2025
 reporter
more »
Status:
on May 29, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 3.84 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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        Directions to bear-claw-lower trailhead (51.247060, -116.951580)
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        Routes with this trail

        42
        Golden - Arrowhead to Moonrakers loop
        ★ 2.0 • 7 miles • 776 ft • 7 • Loop •
        Easy little flow ride to s.
        3.0 ★★★★★
        1 Ratings
        5 ★
        4 ★
        3 ★ 100%
        2 ★
        1 ★

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        Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Claw Lower

        ▼ Where is Bear Claw Lower located?
        Bear Claw Lower is located in Moonrakers, Golden, British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Moonrakers trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 51.24706, -116.95158.
        ▼ How hard is Bear Claw Lower?
        Bear Claw Lower is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 3.1%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Bear Claw Lower?
        Bear Claw Lower has 136 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 36 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 3,014 ft to 3,114 ft.
        ▼ Is Bear Claw Lower a point to point trail?
        Bear Claw Lower is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Bear Claw Lower?
        Bear Claw Lower is 3,219 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Bear Claw Lower?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Bear Claw Lower. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Bear Claw Lower?
        Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Bear Claw Lower are:
        • July (32 activities)
        • May (31 activities)
        • September (21 activities)
        Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
        ▼ How do I access Bear Claw Lower? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Bear Claw Lower are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Bear Claw Lower?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 7 minutes to ride Bear Claw Lower. The trail is 3,219 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Bear Claw Lower?
        Bear Claw Lower is a moderately popular trail. There have been 464 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 472 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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