Bear Cove

Summary:

Bear Cove is approximately 3.5 miles from Herring Cove along Green Lake Road. Public access along Green Lake Road is by foot or bicycle traffic only. The road follows the shoreline of Silver Bay affording views of the bay and the surrounding mountains. There is light vehicle traffic from both the hydroelectric facility and the Medvejie salmon hatchery at Bear Cove.

Distance and Time: 7 miles; 1-4 hours (round trip)

Allowing time for a break and a brief look around the hatchery, a person on bicycle may be able to do the round trip in one hour without difficulty. The walker going at a moderate but steady pace may take an hour or more each way.

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Slight

There are a couple of hills along the road that some bicylists may prefer to walk up. In particular, the last hill before Bear Cove can be a challenge, especially on the return trip. Walking the hills should not prove difficult for most people.

Route Finding: Easy

Trail Condition: Very Good

Although the road is not maintained for public access, it is maintained for regular vehicle access. The typical hybrid or mountain bike should have little trouble and the hiker even less.
In winter the road may be icy.

Seasonal Notes

Spring

Mountain peaks covered in a deep layer of snow dominate the views.
The herring spawn often brings an abundance of wildlife.

Summer

Wildflowers are abundant
Bear scat is often visible along the road. The bears are not seen as often proably due to frequent passing of people.
Mid to late summer brings the return of the salmon to Medvejie Hatchery.
Some species of song birds frequent the alders that grow thick along the roadside.
In some years there has been an active eagle nest easily sighted above the road.

Fall

Late fall often brings snow to the higher elevations surrounding Silver Bay. There is something special about the look of the first snow of the year on the mountain peaks.

Winter

Deer may walk along the road to avoid deeper snow.

Connecting Trails

Medvejie Lake Trail