Little Bear Lake

[Tornadoman]

Has anyone here ever visited the lake? Is there decent camping around it? I admit that it looks like a terrible idea for a backpack, but am at least contemplating attempting an ugly bushwhack and spending a night at the lake with a goal of the SW ridge of the bear the next day.

[painless4u2]

We did a backpack to just below the lake and camped in the woods. Didn't really see the need in going all the way to the lake, as you can begin ascending the SW ridge from a lower, easier location than near the lake. Camping was fine there.

[BillMiddlebrook]

Go for it. A long time ago, I packed in and camped about 1/3-1/2 mile below the lake for no good reason. I remember a sublime sunset at the lake.

[FCSquid]

It's been quite a few years since I've been on the SW ridge, but I recall that there didn't seem to be a good route from the lake to the ridge without dropping way down in elevation and finding a spot that wasn't too steep.

My recollection was that everything above treeline (and a good portion below treeline) was pretty steep leading down to Tobin Creek.

[RedOrGreen+36]

I've been up to the lake twice. One time I camped below the lake next to Tobin Creek. When I cleared my tent out in the morning, there was a large tick inside to say good morning. The other time, I camped near the lake. Not right next to it because it was too soggy. I didn't have a mat, so it was a tough night trying to stay comfortable on a rock strewn surface. The second time I went up was solo. I suggest you carry bear spray and bear bells. I started the trek at the bottom of the canyon by parking as high up the road as possible. That was basically the end of the road. The road is a bit rough but doable in a stock 4X4. My 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee had some great custom pinstripes from that excursion. I later found out this road is private and you can be trespassing at the parking area where I parked. Watch for rattlesnakes. Witnessed one here. I suggest a study of Google Earth for the entering of the canyon. You'll find a faint trail that will lead you in. When the trail fades I hope you can find the big log that crosses the creek. Once off of log, the bush whacking begins. It is really slow going here. Once fully across the creek, continue up the canyon and you will hopefully come across a canyon. It took me about 2.5 hours from parking to the cabin. I'm a slow hiker and was carrying a monstrous 72 pound pack. Dont ask me why. From the cabin, try to stay center of the canyon or straight up. You should be on a trail for a few hundred yards. If you have to stray from the trail or lose it, go to your right. You can either stay going up the canyon here on the right (what I did the first time) or after a couple hundred yards, go left to get back I center of canyon. It is steep going left here because the canyon is kind of split by a hump in the middle. I suggest you get back on center even if it is a struggle. You'll meet up with a great trail at the top of this middle hump. It is a GREAT trail and makes life easier. This trail goes on for a while and will lead you to old, run down remnants of a large cabin. If you were to not take the trail and were to stay to the right of to canyon, you'll miss this cabin altogether and it will be a tougher hike. When you get to this elevation, you are not far from the lake. So, now you continue and get to where the creek meanders a bit. Crossing here and there is easy and you'll only encounter long lush grass. Where the grass turns to trees again is where I camped the first time. Slow moving and the 72 pound pack took me 8.5 hours to this point. The lake was unbeknownst to me, 45 minutes away. Oh, when you get to this grassy area, regardless of your route, keep left to get up to the lake. Ok, so now you're at the lake and rewarded with peaceful seclusion. The water enters the lake via a small waterfall and the water is crystal clear. I didn't notice any fish. From here leave your excess camping gear behind. If you head up to explore the bowl, you may find a huge boulder in the middle of the large scree field with veins of quartz that form what look like a huge teacup.
Sorry, but from here I have no beta on gaining the SW ridge. You can see the best route for gaining the notch of the typical Como route. It looks like miners may have used the rout to the notch to go back and forth between the two canyons.
Along the route, you will likely see large bear claw marks around trees and trees growing out of boulders. I recall seeng a sleeping bag that a bear must have dragged from somwhere and left it by a lone tree up there by the grassy area. I recommend that you take an emergency beacon with you just in case you you need rescue. Mind you, much of the canyon is thick forest and you may have trouble with an emergency beacon. Let others know your plans because if you can't self rescue or send signal for help, you may never be found. That canyon is rarely explored. If you return down the canyon. Stay on that center trail. From the lake, I was back at my Jeep in about 2.5 hours. The trail in is not cairned and it may behoove you to cairn it on the way in because it is nearly impossible to find it on your way out. Good luck and have fun. You shouldn't have to carry a 72 pound pack to get up there. One last thing. The creek is not continuous. It does have a long run where it disappears into the ground. Be prepared for no water source in the middle of your hike to the lake. Enjoy! Hope this helps. I'm hoping that I didn't need to proof read this. Please leave a report your experience.

[Tornadoman]

Thanks for all the replies! I have attached an image which would be my intended route. I am on the fence of doing this as a long day trip (if I go solo), or an overnight (if my wife joins). It is good to know that camping would be a possibility below LB Lake. We would plan to leave Lake Como Road around 8,800 feet and then ascend the ridge soon after that (doesn't look too steep). Angle off the ridge and down to near Tobin Creek and camp in the low 11ks. Then the next day (if doing a camping trip) ascend the SW ridge in an area that also doesn't appear to be too steep. This would significantly reduce the work on summit day. Another advantage would be that by crossing Tobin Creek higher, we could refill water at a higher location.

FCSquid, I have probably read your trip report 100x, will be using your great pictures for the high parts of the ridge.

If we pull off this route, I will let you know how it goes and put up a trip report.

Thanks,
Andrew

[FCSquid]

Good luck, man! Stay safe out there.

[painless4u2]

Then the next day (if doing a camping trip) ascend the SW ridge in an area that also doesn't appear to be too steep. This would significantly reduce the work on summit day.

That is also approximately where we ascended the SW ridge, which worked well. But your summit day will still be LONG. That is one long, hot, exposed ridge. Enjoy!