Tag: Big Bear

Big Bear, California, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, is a picturesque alpine escape known for its stunning natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities. Towering pine trees surround the pristine Big Bear Lake, offering serene vistas and opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation. During winter, the area transforms into a snowy wonderland, becoming a haven for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing enthusiasts. The quaint village of Big Bear Lake features charming shops, cozy lodges, and inviting restaurants, making it a perfect destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to unwind in a scenic mountain setting.

Sugarpine Mountain 2N49

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Sugarpine Mountain trail is moderately difficult and starts at the edge of San Bernardino and finishes in the Silverlake State Park.  The trail is designated for street legal vehicles only.

Sugarpine Mountain 2N49m Bear Bear Lake, California
Bear Bear Lake, California

The trail leaves the little community around Silver Lake, skits Cleghorn Mountain and then slowly meanders up to Sugarpine Mountain. The scenic trail passes through a variety of chaparral, tall pine trees, forest vegetation and spring wild flowers. High-clearance 4WD is recommended but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. The trail looses about 4300 in elevation over its 16 miles. This trail is typically open year round, however, during the winter months conditions could worsen due to the snow loads.

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

Trail NameSugarpine Mountain 2N49
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino, California
Distance16 Miles
Elevation Gain4300 Feet
DifficultyModerate

Sugarpine Mountain Trailmap

Cleghorn Ridge 2N47

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Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA
Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA

Cleghorn Ridge is a 4×4 trail which leads from the I-15 at the Cleghorn exit to Silverlake State Recreation Area.  The trail features lots of switch backs and may be rutted and/or steep in places.  There is essentially two trails side by side the majority of the trail, and  many bypasses along the trail to get around the more difficult places if you 4×4 is not up to the rough stuff.

The overall length of this reasonably easy trail is about 15 miles. The trail offers some good view of Silerwood Lake at its eastern end.

This trail is a popular route from Green Sticker Vehicles and can get crowded depending upon the time of day and time of year.

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

NameCleghorn Ridge, 2N47
LocationSilver Lake, San Bernardino Mountains
Length15 Miles
DifficultyEasy
Difficult Alternate Routes

Cleghorn Ridge Trailmap

Clarks Grade 1N54

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Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.
Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.

Clarks Grade 1N54 is a steep and scenic descent from the top of Skyline drive and Snow Summit down to Angeles Oaks from Big Bear. The trail is located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.  This road is steep enough, that low range will be utilized on the trail and four wheel drive is recommend. The trail starts at about 7800 feet in elevation, and over the course of its 7.6 mile length, drop down to 4800 feet. This is 3000 feet of elevation drop from the top of the trail to the bottom.

Last reports from Clarks Grade indicate decent sized rocks and rutting which will be of concern for some stock vehicles.

The Forrest Service routinely closes this trail during the winter due to snow, mud and / or heavy rain, which could cause excessive erosion to the trail.

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

NameClarks Grade
LocationBig Bear, Sand Bernardino, California
Length7.6 Miles
Elevation change3000 feet
Forest Service Road1N54

Clarks Grade Trailmap



Camp Osito Road - 2N17 - Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California

Camp Osito Road – 2N17

Camp Osito Road is a back country 4x4 trail which connects Knickerbocker Road to Skyline Drive in Big Bear, California. The seldom travelled road is…
Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.

Clarks Grade 1N54

Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive. Clarks Grade 1N54 is a steep and scenic descent from the top…
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08

Knickerbocker Road - 2N08 is a steep and beautiful drive from near the town of Big Bear, California to Skyline Drive. The route is a…
Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California

Skyline Drive 2N10

Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California Skyline Drive 2N10 is the unofficial name for USFS Road 2N10 that begins just…

Willow Creek Road 3N34

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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 Road near Bear Bear Lake, California
Bear Bear Lake, California

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

NameWillow Creek
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino, California
Length6.4 Miles
Elevation Gain950 Feet
Route TypeOut and Back
DifficultyModerate

Willow Creek Road Trailmap

Snow Slide Trail 2N13

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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.

Snow Slike Trail in Bear Bear Lake, California
Bear Bear Lake, California

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