Big Bear California

Posts Tagged ‘big bear mountain’

Glory Ridge Trail – Very Difficult, 2 miles Round Trip

Two miles west of the Big Bear Lake dam on Highway 18 is the turnout to the trailhead. Drive slowly down potholed Forest Road and turn right at the fork onto a dirt road. Park on a hill at the road’s end. Follow the trail 1/4 mile to the trailhead. marked by a “Fishermen” sign. The trail drops 1.100 feet in I mile. Climbing down can be precarious. but the climb out is grueling.

Gray’s Peak Trail – Moderate to Difficult, 7 miles Round Trip

On the west side of Highway 38, .6 of a mile west of Fawnskin across from the Grout Bay Picnic Area, begins Grays’s Peak Trail. (This trailhead is in the center of a bald eagle wintering habitat area and is closed to all public use from November 1 to April 1.) Climbing westerly for .5 mile, the trail joins with Forest Road. Turning north (right), meets Forest Road after a 1/4 mile (go straight, do not turn left) and continue to the beginning of the Gray’s Peak Trail, 200 yards on your left. From there it is 2 3/4 miles to the top of Gray’s Peak. The trail fades as you get a 1/4 mile from the summit, 7,920 feet, and becomes increasingly more difficult.

Grout Bay Bike Trail – Moderate, 13 miles

This trail starts with a short paved climb from the Fawnskin fire station. Carry on 2.5 miles to Hanna Flat campground. Grout Bay Trail starts at the back of the campsite and starts climbing. The trail scales and descends,. finally ending in Fawnskin.

Hanna Flat Trail – Moderate, 9 miles Round Trip

Hanna Flat Trail begins 50 yards past the Gray’s Peak Trail Sign on the right and continues for 4 miles to the Hanna Flat Campground.

John Bull loop Bike Trail – Moderate to Difficult, 14.9 miles

Begin at the base of Van Dusen Canyon (Forest Road). It is approximately 3.4 miles up to Holcomb Valley and then the trail levels off. It soon starts to climb again and is quite uneven and sandy. If you follow the loop. you’ll end up back at your car.

There are many places in Big Bear and Big Bear Lake to go mountain biking and hiking. Below are some great areas for Big Bear mountain biking and hiking off road trails.

Alpine Pedal Path – Rated Very Easy, 3 – miles long

This asphalt pathway rambles along the north shore of Big Bear Lake from the Stanfield Cutoff to the Solar Observatory. Alpine Pedal Path has gentle ups and downs, easy for Big Bear mountain biking and hiking off road trails. Alpine Pedal Path connects through a pedestrian tunnel under Highway 38 to the Cougar Crest Trail parking lot. The new path continues east 0.6 of a mile and connects with the Big Bear Discovery Center, where walkers, hikers, joggers and bikers can locate water, bathrooms and knowledgeable advice on all varieties of recreation in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Big Pine Flat

Big Pine Flat is just off Highway 38 in the town of Fawnskin, turn north on Rim of the World Street driving past the fire station. There, the road turns into Forest Road. Travel approximately 7 miles to Big Pine Flat Campground. This facility includes potable water and restrooms.

Bluff Mesa Trail – Rated Easy, .8 miles Round Trip

Bluff Mesa Trail is a companion path which begins where the Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail ends, and follows a northerly direction for .4 of a mile, ending at the popular Bluff Mesa Group Camp.

Cactus Flat

The way to Cactus Flat is to drive Highway 18 east from Big Bear City around Baldwin Lake. Tum south on Forest Road and travel this road until you reach Forest Road. Tum right and drive 1/4 mile to the staging area. Restrooms are available at Cactus Flat.