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 popular destination and common for hikers, bikes and vehicles alike. The route winds up the mountain from the village in Big Bear up to the top of the mountain offering some spectacular vistas and the valley below.

Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08 is accessed from Highway 18 in Big Bear, about two blocks east of the village. The trail head is located 3/4 of a mile from the highway off of Knickerbocker Road. The trail begins with a tight left turn and steeply gains alititude. from the valley floor on its journey up to Skyline Drive.

Intersection with 2n17 about two miles from either end of Knickerbocker Road.
Intersection with 2n17 about two miles from either end of Knickerbocker Road.

Along the route, you journey deep into a lush pine forest with a few seasonal streams to nourish the lush green plant life. Manzanita Bushes fill the landscape, along with a variety of seasonal wild flowers as you continue to climb to the ridge of the mountain. Don’t forget to admire the views of Big Bear lake as you make the journey.

Once the trail terminates at the Grand View Vista at Skyline drive, there is a very small parking area to relax, picnic and enjoy the alpine view of Barton Flats and valley below. From here, you can return as you came, or pick any of several trails from the South Shore Trail Network including Skyline Drive,

Knickerbocker Road Trail Summary

NameKnickerbocker Road – 2N08
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.2162, -116.9192
Length4 Miles
Elevation Gain890 feet

Trail Map

Knickenbocker Road 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…

Clarks Grade 1N54

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…