Bear Wallow/1918 Trail
Start of Bear Wallow Trail on a misty day
Approximately one mile of lush greenery, popular with families and cyclists. Its only drawback is its proximity to the Catalina Highway.
Difficulty: The trail moseys up a valley. It has a few steep ups and downs. One of them also slopes dangerously to the side.
Current Condition (June 2024): Several large logs encroach on the trail. Parts of it need brushing out.
Connecting Trails: Sunset Trail #90 and (across the Catalina Highway) Butterfly Trail #16.
Directions: The Bear Wallow/1918 Trail is an unofficial trail, so there is no trailhead sign for it. When driving up the Catalina Highway, turn left into the Sunset Trail parking lot. Walk straight ahead from the line of parked cars into the forest on a wide path. After crossing a wooden bridge, turn left.
Bear Wallow Trail in Pictures…
A fallen tree among the greenery
In winter 2023-24, a fire crew thinned the forest not far from the start of the trail and piled the slash into wikiups
The trail divides in several places. The lower trail stays near the creek. The upper trail usually goes around an obstacle.
Lower trail goes up a sloping stone stairway
There used to be a resort in Bear Wallow
Bear Wallow is glorious in the fall
After about half a mile, the trail goes through a giant culvert.
Looking east into the culvert in spring
Looking west from inside the culvert in the fall
The trail ends at a picnic area at a bend in Bear Wallow Road #2.