more stats
3.3 miles
Distance
1,964 ft
Climb
01:06:33
Avg time
1,964 ft
Altitude change
6,638 ft
Altitude min
8,603 ft
Altitude max
6,639 ft
Altitude start
8,602 ft
Altitude end
11.2%
Grade
-1.3%
Grade max
44.7%
Grade min
3 miles
Distance climb
207 ft
Distance flat
01:06:33
Avg time

Bear Gulch Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Dirtbike/Moto
  • Riding Area
    Johnstone
    Sun Valley, Idaho
  • Ref Number
    #121
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    50 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 75 in E-Biking
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 65 in Hiking
    • 5 in Dirtbiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #105417 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #41542 in E-Biking
    • #221698 in Trail Running
    • #98013 in Hiking
    • #3788 in Dirtbiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • Land Owner
    USFS-Ketchum Ranger District

No community description for Bear Gulch trail has been added yet!

AI Generated Description

Bear Gulch is a 3 mile moderately popular black diamond difficulty singletrack trail located near Sun Valley Idaho. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating with a 1,964 ft black diamond climb. On average it takes 1 hour6 minutes to complete this trail.

Disclaimer

Seasonal motorized/e-bike closure. Please consult your Motor Vehicle Use Map. These are free at the Ketchum Ranger District

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 1 rides
  • 8 miles avg distance
All
  • 5 rides
  • Last: Aug 19, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Bear Gulch Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Aug 17, 2026 @ 5:43pm (America/Boise)
Aug 17, 2026
 Trail is cut out. Thank you cutters. Areas of the trail, especially up high, have become narrow and extremely outsloped. Also, the switchback is...
Jun 2, 2026 @ 7:25am (America/Boise)
Jun 2, 2026
Large aspen down across trail on first switchback. Otherwise in great shape.
Jan 12, 2026 @ 3:41pm (America/Boise)
Jan 12, 2026
May 25, 2025 @ 4:37pm
May 25, 2025
 All clear
Nov 18, 2024 @ 2:45pm
Nov 18, 2024
 Snow covered, likely won't melt out until next spring.
more »
Status:
on Aug 17, 2026
Dry
Avg: 4.24 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • > 90%
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to bear-gulch trailhead (43.682640, -114.214020)
        View on Discover Map

        Photos

        5 more »
        mtb
        87 |
        Apr 25, 2024 @ 7:54pm
        Apr 25, 2024
        mtb
        79 |
        Aug 5, 2018 @ 9:51am
        Aug 5, 2018
        mtb
        77 |
        Aug 5, 2018 @ 9:51am
        Aug 5, 2018
        mtb
        94 |
        Aug 5, 2018 @ 9:51am
        Aug 5, 2018

        Videos

        1 more »
        youtuber MTB Heaven is in Sun Valley Idaho | Parker...
        mtb
        11:41 | 444 | Dec 1, 2021 , Sun Valley

        Routes with this trail

        78
        Ketchum Black Diamond at Johnstone
        39 miles • 10,163 ft • 9 •
        another epic black diamond singletrack day

        Trail Products

        4.4 ★★★★★
        3 Ratings
        5 ★ 67%
        4 ★
        3 ★ 33%
        2 ★
        1 ★

        4 Reviews & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        Johnstone

        • By jandashetlerTF Pro & contributors
        • #54199 - 3,004 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Gulch

        ▼ Where is Bear Gulch located?
        Bear Gulch is located in Johnstone, Sun Valley, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Johnstone trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 43.68264, -114.21402.
        ▼ How hard is Bear Gulch?
        Bear Gulch is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 11.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Bear Gulch?
        Bear Gulch has 1,964 ft of elevation gain. The elevation ranges from 6,638 ft to 8,603 ft.
        ▼ Is Bear Gulch a point to point trail?
        Bear Gulch is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ How long is Bear Gulch?
        Bear Gulch is 3.3 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
        ▼ Are dogs allowed on Bear Gulch?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Bear Gulch. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Bear Gulch?
        Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Bear Gulch are:
        • June (2 activities)
        • August (1 activities)
        Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
        ▼ How do I access Bear Gulch? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Bear Gulch are: View all parking locations in the area.
        ▼ How long does it take to ride Bear Gulch?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 1 hour 25 minutes to ride Bear Gulch. The trail is 3.3 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        ▼ How busy is Bear Gulch?
        Bear Gulch is a moderately popular trail. There have been 82 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 99 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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