Category: Trails

Willow Creek road is an easy gentle ride located near Big Bear, California. The easy trail runs from Hooks Creek Road to Highway 173 and offers excellent opportunities to get out and commune with nature.

Willow creek can get rather full after heavy rains, but for the most part this trail is suitable for most stock SUV’s and truck. The road is open to green sticker vehicles, so be cautious of oncoming traffic. Most of the route is dry and should not require four wheel drive. However higer ground clearance is a concern and four wheel is likely needed for one or two climbs.

A Forest Service Adventure Passes are required if you plan on stopping along the way. As of September 2016, forest visitors parked in standard amenity recreation fee sites in the four southern California national forests must display a valid recreation pass. This includes sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Such is the once great state of California.

Trail Summary

Willow Creek Road Trailmap

Snow Slide Trail (2N13) connects Green Valley Lake to Fawnskin, in San Bernardino, California. The Green Valley Lake trail head is located by the campground at the far end of town. The Fawnskin side trailhead is located about 5 miles out of the town on Rim of the World Drive.

From the Green Valley Lake side the trail winds along the mountain side, which was recently burned by fire.  There is a lot of new growth in the burn area as the environment begins to heal itself.  The burned area now offers wonderful views of the valley and not only reminds us to be careful with our natural areas, but also provides some insight into the dynamic resilience of nature.

Spring – 2013.  The entire trail was open from the Green Valley Lake side, but closed at the intersection with Rim of the World Drive.

A Forest Service Adventure Passes are required if you plan on stopping along the way. As of September 2016, forest visitors parked in standard amenity recreation fee sites in the four southern California national forests must display a valid recreation pass. This includes sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Such is the once great state of California.

Snow Slide Trail Map

Also known as the Deep Creek Trail, Dish Pan Springs offers a short but hardcore trail in Big Bear. Dishpan springs trail contains large boulders and steep rocky climbs and the water crossing at Deep Creek to challenge the driver and the 4×4 on this trail.

The Deep Creek crossing on this trail was notorious for drowning engines, stalling trucks and causing everything, including the ‘Dishpan’ to float away.   Since then, the forest service has “improved” the crossing. Crossing Deep Creek is no longer as difficult as it once was since the forest service has built a bridge. sigh…

Directions (East to West):

The Eastern trail head is located out of Crab flats near Green Valley Lake.  From highway 18, take the Green Valley Lake Road.  After about 5 miles take a left on Crab Flats Road and follow the road down about 5 miles to the trail head.

Directions (West to East):

Again from highway 18, take highway 173 into Arrowhead.  Continue on highway 173 until you reach Hook Creek Road.  Turn right onto Hook Creek road and stay on hook creek until you reach the trail head.

A Forest Service Adventure Passes are required if you plan on stopping along the way. As of September 2016, forest visitors parked in standard amenity recreation fee sites in the four southern California national forests must display a valid recreation pass. This includes sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Such is the once great state of California.

Dish Pan Springs Trail Map