Lair O’ the Bear open space has amazing trails for the older hiker! Bear Creek Trail is accessible to most but if you want a little bit of a challenge try Bruin Bluff trail loop.
Which Hiker Do I Write For
I tailor my hiking review’s to over 50 hikers. This is not to say the hike will be easy or short, older hikers are very capable, I’ve seen 70 year old hikers that can outhike most people. But what I am putting out there is special considerations for our older bodies.
You might notice I have a trail difficulty rating number listed below, please see my Hiker Resource Page to see how I come to this rating.
Basic Trail Information for Bruin Bluff Trail Loop
- Trail Name: Bruin Trail Loop
- Location: Lair O’ the Bear Park, Jefferson County Open Space, Colorado
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: easy with rating of 25
- Duration: 1 hour
- Elevation Gain: 216 feet
- Type of Trail: loop
- Who I Recommend this to : everyone that hikes
- What season did I go : summer / August
- Gear Recommendations: snacks, sunblock, umbrella, hat
- Special Requirements: parking is free but fills early, especially on weekends
My Experience on the Trail as an Older Hiker
As you’ll see in my related YouTube video about Bruin Bluff Trail I had been going through some drawbacks in my midlife this summer and this park really led me into a peaceful state.
Hiking among the grasses, trees, and creek helped me to feel at ease. Though the park can get crowded since it has so much to offer, like mountain biking, picnicking, fishing, walking and even a castle, being there on a summer Sunday with quite a few people still felt like I got some time to myself to enjoy this beautiful trail.
We arrived pretty early after watching the sunrise and hiking at Red Rock Park up the road, Steph and I snagged what looked like one of the few remaining parking spots at about 8:15 AM. It’s highly recommended to get there early for good parking opportunities. We parked in the furthest east lot yet there is more parking further west yet is further away from most main trails like the one we did – Bruin Bluff Loop.
The park has a map in the lot, definitely snap a photo for future reference just in case, it’s always good practice to have a map when you hike.
The hike starts near the restrooms and meanders through some grass and picnic areas. Then comes to your first bridge over Bear Creek. Steph and I stopped here for video and photos for at least 20 minutes. How peaceful it is to hang out near a creek. We also came across a fisherman here, who unfortunately hadn’t caught anything that day.
As you leave the creek and bridge the trail brought us through more grasses and up a couple of switchbacks and eventually up into the trees. At the top I took a break for a Clif bar snack and water.
Finishing my snack we headed back down, over another bridge and that’s where I had the chance to rest my feet on a bench to watch people, listen to the birds and the gurgling creek.
The whole trail had hard packed dirt, which is always a plus in making for a stable and less strenuous walk. There is some shade and sun, bring clothing and gear if you need shade.
Overall it was a peaceful hike, I just wished I didn’t miss the castle. Maybe someday I’ll go back.
Helpful Hiker Gear and Tools
I don’t just recommend these items, I’ve actually used them for years. You’ll see that in my video below.
- Clif Bars – my favorite is Peanut Butter Crunch
- Osprey Pack – the only pack brand I use
- My Hydro Flask water bottle – for keeping water cool and a place to proudly show off your hiking stickers
Online Resources for this Trail
- Bruin Bluff Trail Loop on AllTrails
- Jefferson County Colorado link for Lair O’ Bear Park
- Leave No Trace Info
- National Park Service : 7 Ways to Safely Watch Wildlife
What To Do In the Area Before or After Your Hike
- Bring lunch. There are picnic tables in the park to enjoy a lunch after your hike
- Hang out a bit in the nearby town of Morrison, Colorado
Watch My Hike of Bruin Trail Loop on YouTube
Thank You for Stopping By!
I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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