Cougar Crest Trail
2.4 mi
Distance
1 hrs 25 min
Time
terrain
782 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a easy one way trail in San Bernardino National Forest.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo day hiked Fri 1/5/24 – Cougar Crest-Bertha-Delamar-Little Bear Peaks in very powdery snow. Wanted to start on Polique Canyon Road where it crosses the PCT but the snow was just a little too much for the car. Instead, I started at Cougar Crest TH and used the well beaten path up to the PCT junction after which I headed east on the PCT until finding a good, short cross country route leading up to Cougar Crest Peak. Heading further east on the PCT to Bertha Peak Road and up to the summit in time to see a great sunrise. Nice views off Bertha Peak, especially the Snow Summit runs lit up (before sunrise) from across the lake. A longer trek NW in fres, untracked snow on the PCT eventually led to the start of the use trail going up Delamar Mtn which is well marked with an upward arrow carved into a log and a 2 ft high cairn stack. It’s a steep, direct and fun route up that was my only use of micro spikes for the day. Continuing further west on the PCT, Little Bear Spring Rd, and Little Bear Spring Spur Trail led to the Little Bear Peak summit. The spectacular views of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Ranges made Little Bear Pk worth the effort. For the last 3 miles up Little Bear Pk, I followed the largest mountain lion tracks I’ve ever seen in all of the SoCal mtn ranges. The R-L pad width was 4-1/2 inches and deep as were the center tail dragging marks in the snow. They led all the way up to the Little Bear summit and then down easterly to the valley. Would’ve been nice to see that cat from a distance! Also found an 8 ft fir tree off the PCT with a red star on top. Saw several deer on the way out but no fellow hikers until the Cougar Crest Trail on which I passed 35 people. Great to see everyone enjoying the snow before it gets deeper. Some mild snowfall on Little Bear mid morning, clearing to blue skies by noontime. Even just doing the Cougar Crest Trail would be great right now, just don’t plan on using the trailhead porta- potties as they’re disgusting and all 5 lack toilet paper. Left a roll behind from the car but it probably didn’t last too long! Logged 20.8 miles/3271 vertical ft. with Gaia.
★
★
★
★
★
