Review Date
May 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: cheez14 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Several very rocky, technical sections. Back side of the mountain is fast and fun. Toughest part is the steep incline to the top of the mountain. 100 yards of cleared, but very steep uphill. Downhill is worth the work though. I hoof it with my SS.

They've done some major renovations to the trails since last summer and everything is in great shape. I hiked/ran a bunch of times last year, and was tenative to ride it because of rocky sections and little trail attention. Trails and markings are much better than a year ago. Huge plus for new riders is they have updated maps at the desk of the inn.

I live 8 miles away and it's great for a quick after-work or quick weekend ride. Main loop takes 40-60 minutes.

Found out today, you now have to sign a waiver at the front desk of the inn and get a "season pass." Since it is privately owned, it's no big deal. Just have to do it once and they give you a tag to hang under your seat.

Recommended Route:
Trails are on color systems. Park at the lot that looks over the main pond, by the wooden kiosk. Blue trail (main) starts to your left, across the road. Wraps all the way to the top of the mountain and down and around the back side. There are a couple of side trails, but I've gotten in the routine to just take the main blue loop all the way around. You'll pop out in that same lot. I'll ride it reverse one of these times.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Walking Purchase in Salisbury/Bethlehem is similar to BC.

Review Date
March 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: d-urb ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I had to write a review on this trail. It may be only 10-12 miles but it is insanely fun to ride here. There's a good climb involved, around 650 ft., big rock gardens, and an awesome downhill section to finish the ride.

Recommended Route:
Park in the gravel lot and go clockwise, defenitely clockwise is the most fun.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Wissahickon, French creek, Salisbury, South Mountain

Review Date
September 8, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: RoyDean ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I've now ridden Bear Creek twice (beginning of season and end of summer), and for sure it's a great (but short) course. I'm still not up to the task of riding the whole loop without taking a few rests (or crashing a few times), but for sure it's a challenge. The amounts (and sizes) of rocks makes French Creek look like Pocono International Raceway... in other words, it's much rockier than French Creek. The "challenge" trails didn't seem to be all that challenging, other than being slightly rockier and steeper than other parts. There are, however, a few "off trail" challenge features that are pretty tough for an intermediate rider such as myself.

Recommended Route:
Start in the gravel lot on the right as you drive in, sign in at the little kiosk thingie, and head across the access road to the trailhead. Ride clockwise. Once at the top of the ski slope, you can either continue down on the other side, or ride down the way you came. You can also ride the loop in reverse.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
French Creek

Review Date
October 20, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Rudy18 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The reviews you read back from 2002 are no longer valid. The resort has undergone significant improvements and the chair lift does not run in the summer (except for special events, ie. DS and DH races).

With that said let me say that this may be one of the top 10 trails in the state and maybe in the mid-atlantic area. I have ridden many places throughout the eastern part of the state that are posted on this site and some premier trails in other states and I think this is one of the best. It probably isn't for beginners and it will be a great challenge for a confident novice who is willing to take some lumps. Experienced trail riders will love it because it has everything we crave. When desribing this trail the operative word here is technical; technical rock gardens, technical climbs, technical downhills. I feel the best bike to use on BC is a 4"-5" travel duel bouncy rig, but the occasional hardtail is sighted from time to time. The trail builders do a fenominal job of keeping it fresh with new trails being built all the time and improving already existing sections. I am lucky enough to live in an area (Lehigh Valley) where we have at least four different trail systems (Lehigh U., Salisbury, South Mtn., BC) of above average technical demand and I feel Bear Creek is the best. Come check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Recommended Route:
The Blue trail is the main trail and is roughly 5-6 miles. The yellow is a really nice spur off of the blue that you shouldn't miss. Red is all of the short cuts if you are pressed for time. Recently they have added a black spur off of the blue also, nice and technical.

Most people ride the trail in a clockwise manner, but I've ridden both directions and it is a completely different, fresh ride. See the review below for the trailhead.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lehigh University, Salisbury Townhips 'Walking Purchase Park', South mountain in Emmaus - call South Mtn. Cycles, and Jordan Creek in Whitehall, plus don't forget to get up to Jim Thorpe which is only about 40 minutes up the T-pike.

Review Date
November 12, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: sgillen ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Bear Creek is totally new as of summer of 2005. The trail as it stands today is about 10 miles long but don't let the length fool you it is a great course. Really varied terrain from steep climbs to fast downhill, lots of rocks and tree crossings. It is an all round great ride. It is listed as a cross country course but I think it was the most technically challenging place I currently ride and have raced. It was the site of the last MASS race of 2005. It is an easy drive to get to. Directions can be found on the web site: www.skibearcreek.com/
The course is completely on the grounds of the ski area which is not far from Allentown and about 1 hour north of Phila.
The ski area has largely supported the transformation and is supposedly adding another 8 miles of trails in the future.
Trust me on this it is worth the ride!

Recommended Route:
Trail head is clearly marked at the parking lot as you go down the hill towards the lodge. There is only really one trail although there are minor variations. You cant get lost.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The Wissahicon trail system near Valley Green Inn in Philadelphia. Faster, closer, Not as Challenging.