About Bearclaw
Bearclaw is a easy hiking trail near West Milford in Passaic County, New York.. Managed by JORBA. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash
Easy
Bearclaw
West Milford, New York · Passaic County · JORBA
Bearclaw is a easy hiking trail near West Milford in Passaic County, New York.. Managed by JORBA. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Advertisement
41.12384, -74.33891
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Bearclaw
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Partly Cloudy
82°/56°
💧 1%🌬 5mph
↑ 5:47 AM ↓ 8:20 PM
Mon
Heavy Rain
82°/62°
💧 11%🌬 10mph
↑ 5:48 AM ↓ 8:19 PM
Tue
Rain Showers
76°/66°
💧 53%🌬 14mph
↑ 5:49 AM ↓ 8:18 PM
Wed
Violent Rain
80°/61°
💧 80%🌬 12mph
↑ 5:50 AM ↓ 8:17 PM
Thu
Rain Showers
69°/61°
💧 36%🌬 6mph
↑ 5:51 AM ↓ 8:16 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Easy” Means
Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Moisture-wicking T-shirtLight color, breathable.
- Lightweight shorts or pantsQuick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- Brimmed sun hatBetter than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- Trail runnersBreathable mesh uppers.
- Rain jacket / shell80% chance of precipitation in the forecast.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 7)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in New York
Trail conditions in New York change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
Other Trails Near Bearclaw
Closest trailheads, sorted by distance from this one.
Guides & rankings
More on hiking in New York
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
The 10 Longest Hiking Trails in New York, Ranked
New York's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Joshua EarleState Rankings
New York's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten New York trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoState Rankings
The Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in New York
Ten gentle, well-marked New York trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichState Rankings
The 10 Most Challenging Hikes in New York
New York's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoParks & Travel
The Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in New York
Federal parks and recreation areas in New York ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Tobias MrzykState Rankings
Best Waterfall Hikes in New York: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
New York's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.