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.

Skyline Drive 2N10

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Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California
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 west of Big Bear village off Mill Creek road, and heads south into the mountains, then east along the ridge line behind Big Bear Village and Snow Summit, and eventually re-enters the valley in the upper Moonridge area.

This little adventure is a vehicle off road safari through one of the most beautiful parts of our Big Bear mountains. You don’t need a four wheel drive, but a 2 wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended.

This scenic loop is a well maintained dirt road about 9 to 10 miles long. It can be driven straight through in about an hour or so, but plan on giving yourself plenty of time to occasionally stop to picnic, take photos, or just admire the views. There is a lot to see on this high country venture. Parts of Skyline Drive 2N10 are along the 8,000 ft ridge line providing spectacular panoramic views of San Gorgonio, the Santa Ana river, and Big Bear lake. On a clear day you can see all the way to Los Angeles and even Catalina island. Don’t leave your camera home on this adventure.

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.

Skyline Drive is closed at the intersection with the Coyote Trail moving east. This Forest Service closure is the result of a recent wild fire. Caution should be taken, as this road is frequently used by 4×4’s, Dirt Bikes, Mountina Bikers and hikers alike.

Skyline Drive Trailmap

Skyline Drive is part of the South Shore Trail Network.



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…

Dish Pan Springs 3N34

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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.

Dish Pan Springs, Big Bear, CA
Dish Pan Springs, Big Bear, CA

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

Holcomb Valley Road 3N14

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Holcomb Valley Road 3N14 takes you through scenic Holcomb Valley
Holcomb Valley Road 3N14 takes you through scenic Holcomb Valley

Holcomb Valley Road 3N14, is a main artery in the road system above and behind Big Bear and with Holcomb Valley in San Bernardino County. This is a very easy route offers access to many trails, campgrounds, hikes and points of interest, including Dishpan Springs in the West and the John Bull, Gold Mountain and Jacoby Canyon Trails in the East.

From the East, the trail is found off of Doble Road near the north end of Baldwin Lake. The trail quickly climbs up to the Holcomb mine and mill sites. From there a quick transverse across Gold Mountain where the 3N14 trail proceeds to run the length of Holcomb Valley.

Holcomb valley is named for William Francis “Grizzly Bill” Holcomb, who, in 1860 discovered gold in the area. The prospecting life can be tough, and this is not different in the valley which would be named for Grizzly bill. This discovery started a gold rush and soon the town of Belleville was founded. The town reached a size on 1500 people, boasted 50 murders and contained a “Hanging Tree” where the guilty met their justice.

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.

Holcomb Valley Road Trail Map

Resources

Gold Mountain 3N69

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Gold Mountain 3N69 Trail Head
Gold Mountain Trail Head

The Gold Mountain 3N69 Trail can be found in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake. The favored direction of travel is from South to North starting on Hwy 18 near Baldwin Lake. Starting immediately from the trail head, the trail climbs steeply up the mountain via a series of switch backs. Amazing views offer those who choose to drive this trail.

The trail is available to street legal vehicles only.

The US Forest Service rates the Gold Mountain 3N69 trail a black diamond most difficult trail. This trail is not recommended for stock SUVs. There are bypasses including one around the talus slope that will allow slightly modified vehicles to traverse the trail. Elevation ranges from 6700′ to over 8100′ and during the winter months snow and ice add to the difficulty of traversing 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.

Gold Mountain Trailmap

Jacoby Canyon 3N61

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Jacoby Canyon 3N61 Trail head
Jacoby Canyon 3N61 Trail head

Jacoby Canyon 3N61 is a trail which can be found in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake. Jocoby Canyon was originally named Chipopee Canyon on U. S. Forest Service maps prior to 1965. The favored direction of travel is from North to South starting on Hwy 18. The bumpy dirt trail is available to street legal vehicles only but reasonably higher clearance is recommended.

The US Forest Service rates this trail a blue square more difficult trail. There is one creek crossing near the middle of the trail that will put a squeeze on full size vehicles.

Elevation ranges from 6000′ to over 7200′ and during the winter months snow and ice add to the difficulty of traversing the trail. This one way trail starts near the Holcomb mine and slowly winds down through a small narrow side canyon. The canyon offers some enjoyable scenery and in general the trail and route are quite fun.

Jacoby Canyon appears to have some smaller single space campsites near the bottom of the route. The trail releases onto Highway 18 near Cactus Flats. The short trail offers prime opportunity to see wildlife and to get away from it all in the back-roads of Big Bear.

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.

Jacoby Canyon is currently closed following a wild fire by a forest order of the Forest Service.

Jacoby Canyon Trailmap

Resources