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Bear Creek Summit On the map, this looks like a
minor introductory summit that leads to Antelope
Pass. It is quite a bit more than that.
 Approaches The view of the magnificent wall
of the Lost River Range becomes more and more
background. Smaller imaginative rock formations
begin to spice up the scene of sweeping, fenced
off grass. There is a sign at the jct of
Antelope Creek Rd and Cherry Creek Rd. I'm
guessing this particular location was chosen to
put up a sign, because here it really doesn't
matter which one you take. The converge again
several miles up the road, at a conglomeration
of farms, referred to as "Grouse". Although it
is instructive to take Cherry Creek Rd, because
-from the other side- the place where it joins
Antelope Rd, looks like ranch entrance complete
with a ranch gate across the county highway. It
does not give the appearance of a public road,
especially when approaching from upvalley.
Antelope Creek Road and Cherry Creek Road travel
along opposite edges of a mountain park, that is
ranched and farmed. Depending on what edge of
the park you choose to travel along there are
far views of the Lost River Range or the major
peaks in the White Knob Mountains , such as
Smiley Mtn (11508ft) or Miller Peak.
 From North.
(described downwards). The decent to the low
point before the track starts climbing again up
Antelope Pass is only ~500ft. But from the top
the road seems to disappear into a valley
downstream, if there would be enough moisture
for such a thing. Instead the road curves to the
left and enters an unexpected thick blanket of
forest. The description continues on the
Antelope Pass
page.
Dayride with this point as
intermediate summit is on page: Antelope Pass
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After the two farm
roads converge again, the road soon crosses the
National Forest boundary. The turnoff onto FR135
is well signed as going up Bear Creek by the
National Forest Service. This road starts out as
a smooth narrow track, heading straight for a
gap on the right side of Smiley Mountain. But it
is not quite that straight forward. Along the
way a slightly out of control creek needs to be
crossed, and then the road engages in
honest-to-God switchbacks to climb the well
defined grassy ridgeline. The major interesting
view along this journey is Smiley Mountain and
its rocky outcrops. The summit has an attractive
sign, perfectly situated to act as foreground in
photographs in multiple directions.|
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