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Lame title, this was NOT a hike!
This trail event is a 4x4 day. Holcomb Creek, travel East to West (going through the middle rock garden UP hill.)
Our group had a great time and this trail was easier than John Bull… so if you like this trail Big Bear has more to offer.
The “Playground” near West end was a nice treat, things to climb and grab snacks. Lots of big boulders and slabs to be creative.
The Gatekeepers on either end are useful… if your rig struggles then this trail may not be for you, bring friends is highly recommended!
John Bull requires more enjoyment of technical wheeling and experienced spotting a plus.
As far as trails go, this ranks second most challenging trail in Big Bear.
(Wasn’t a hike, need to change that option.)
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Was able to find parking along Baldy Rd. at 8:15am on a Saturday. Icehouse Canyon was crazy busy...multiple groups 30 people deep 👎🏽 Cucamonga Peak Trail was much better with just a few people who were considerate and would let you pass. Cucamonga Trail was quite rocky with some super narrow sections that could be sketchy for those who are afraid of heights. But the views on this trail are amazing! Total hike time with a potty break, 2 snack breaks, and parking 1/2 mi from the trailhead was 6 hours. Vault toilets at the trailhead. Adventure Pass required at the actual parking lot.
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Parked along Tahquitz View Dr. to add some distance and elevation. 65F today, no toilets, bugs, snakes, or snow. Steady incline that wasn’t too difficult, but it got steeper closer to the peak. Shorts and a long sleeve were perfect for the weather on a sunny day. Drank 20oz. of water.
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No real destination, but really nice hike. The dirt road to the north looks good for mountain biking.
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No real destination, but really nice hike. The dirt road to the north looks good for mountain biking.
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Not an easy trail by any comparison, nicely challenging, but not super difficult either. I made it in a Jeep Gladiator Rubicon with 3.5” lift and 37’s, no bypasses used.
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A really pleasant hike. I’d recommend doing part of the skyline trail (head right at the junction near grand view point and head west). After a mile you reach a place called the Skyline Tetons. Beautiful views of the San Bernardino peaks.
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Very doable. Good challenge for my first time driving on a 4x4 trail.
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Shit was slight work in my 2WD Colorado, with only a 2.5 level kit.
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Great hike to see he peak with patches and f snow and ice throughout.
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This is a great beginner trail for off road folks. Just be careful and travel with others. A steep drop off can be dangerous if you go too fast.
For those going down hill you MUST use lower gears and stay off your breaks or you will lose control and maybe lose your life.
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Awesome bike trail for adults and children. Scenic views all away around. Trail is not a loop and return trip will be tough but well worth it.
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Dirt biked this trail. White a few side by sides Amal it’s of blond corners. Lots of whoops formed but still fun. Great conditions 10/24/21
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Very nice hike! The views are nice the entire way. Good amount of shade. The incline is gradual not bad at all. I’d do this one again.
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Short steep “trail”. Not an official trail but it’s well marked. View from the summit not that great with all the trees around, but it is a pretty spot.
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This was a great Wheeling Adventure with Chino Hills Buddies (Carl, Rob, Pat, Curtis, and Paris)
My 1st 4-wheel trek on my 3” suspension and 37” Nitto Trail Grappler tires… all went well!
Holcomb valley, Heartbreak Ridge (in the rain), and John Bull trail, out through Hwy. 173 and then home!
Great trip!!!
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Nice moderate hike that leads to a beautiful view of big bear lake. Great place to strap up and get climbing, endless climbing possibilities.
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Helen, Lilly the dentist and Regina Le Nguyen the accountant hiked up to the Ice House saddle, ascending on a very densely used trail. Carried D7500 camera. Descended on a much less-used trail to the north.
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This OHV trail is a beast… huge rock piles and waterfalls… do NOT go unless you have a lift kit big tires and good clearance. Expect to hit many many rocks high center and get stuck if you don’t pick a great line. Go low and slow.. do not drive around the boulders make your lines on top of them. Very challenging had a blast!
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Nice steady climb. Couple great vistas of the mountains and lake. Hot middle of the day but nice breezes and spots for shade. Not as crowded as expected for holiday weekend, although mid-afternoon probably not the most popular time to be out there. Continued towards Bertha’s Peak but stopped at 8,000. Almost no one on the climb to Bertha’s. Very serene.
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Great truck trail. 4wd not needed but a bit of ground clearance is. Ran it in a stock Wrangler 4xe.
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I hiked with my two huskies. It was 47 F at start of the hike & lots of mountain fog, which made for an interesting vibe. It got warmer & sunnier. Fog dissipate as sun took over the skies.
I parked on the parking lot, a little up the dirt road from the trail sign.
Trail in excellent condition all through. Few patches of snow before the saddle intersection.
No water source. No wildlife sightings except birds & lizards.
The summit has amazing views all around. I took a detour on the way back, from the saddle, stopped at the Rock Basin Camp & visited the area. There were several rock climbers who were training there.
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We had very lucky weather. High of 64 and sunny. When we got up to the top we were the only ones there and were above the clouds. We only saw a few people. Started at 9:40pm and finished at 6.
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The trail is a combination between following cairns, and green tape markers, fire roads, and trails. I really enjoy that I don’t have to get in my car to hike Deer Springs Trail
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We went off roaring and started at Crab Flats to Holcomb Valley. It was a beautiful trail and weather. Sunny and clear blue skies. Views were above the clouds. Definitely recommend a high clearance vehicle and airing down. Optional obstacles for any enthusiast. The dirt road was clear and and dry. No snow or mud. Recommended trail for a day trip! It was 26 miles in 5 hours.
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The hardest trail in Big Bear. It’s an 8 or 9 depending on the time of year and how many people have mucked it up. This is the long version of the trail.
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Easy to medium trail ... nice part is that it’s not out and back ... you come out one a main road
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Drove up the trail for a bit of over landing. Was not disappointed. Tons of fun. Goes pretty deep into the forest and there’s tons of trees and really not too many people on the trail👍
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We entered the trail at Cleghorn Rd and went south through Lone Pine Canyon up to Sheep Creek Truck Trail at 7000’ elevation into the back of Lytle Creek on up 3N60B to the top. Finished the day at the firing range blowing shit up with high powered weapons of mass destruction.
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Epic Ride. Beautiful views. You need really good legs to do this Trail on a mountain bike. You can drive in as well with an all wheel drive car or 4x4 vehicle.
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I did this trail with my 2006 2wd Toyota Tacoma Prerunner. I have rear locking differential but did not have to engage. Easy trail, some Rocky portions and about 100 yards of compacted snow. No trouble at all. Plenty of places to stop and take in the view.
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Lots of fun. Out to explore and to the top of 3N06A. Snow run approx 1-2.5’.
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The scenery is otherworldly. The streams, greenery, rock, etc. Moreover, the landscape itself changes as you continue to summit. The view at the top is worth the strife. Highly recommend, even if you’re just doing a mile in.
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It was a bit slippery at certain points as there’s still snow, but hiking boots were just fine. Nothing too much of an incline and a nice weekday hike!
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Start
2N79>3N31>2N57>Lytle Creek Rd>2N56>3N31Y>To it’s end>3N31Y>____>3N47>Cleghorn Rd>Blue Cut Frontage Rd>Swarthout Canyon Rd>2N532N52>3N31>2N79
End
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Remote vehicle flashlight payload may have been to close to the avionics - flew straight south .20 miles - crash landed at new trail / Pee Tree crossing -
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Drove it, nice scenic, can do in 2wd. I did the entire trail in 2wd. Pleasant drive and options to other trails. If you’re looking for a challenge, turn off on the X trail. This one is easy.
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Loved the view when getting up there!! Make sure you bring crampons, the trail gets icy when passed the icehouse saddle. Recommended.
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Great day hike in great weather with Tina, Frenchie and Mackanaw Mike.
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Fairly easy route. Some minor technical rock areas as you climb. Great views
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This hike starts on the normally high traffic Icehouse Canyon trail. After a 1/4 mile or so we leave the trail and go off trail and head up Falling Rock canyon. Yes, I don’t like the name either. Steep, lots of debris but very manageable. An obviously scree field presents itself at the top of Falling Rock. Head to the right and up the scree field to gain a saddle. From there follow the ridge to the top of Ontario’s Peak!
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This area is absolutely gorgeous - mile after mile of beautiful healthy natural chaparral and woodlands. Great hike, great trail, and hardly any other people.
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On the last stretch of a this route we debated if it qualified as a hike. The verdict was an indifferent and technical yes. Two thirds of of this loop were on various vehicle roads. The views were lovely and the sun was hot, with very little coverage. We had a nice picnic at Serrano beach. There were two major elevation changes in the hike which was a welcome challenge. The scramble from the ridge down to the lake was not a real trail. Overall it was a good hike, not bad, but not life changing.
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It was a nice scenic easy trail. Start in Big Bear and end in Big Bear. Off chute trail heads along the way for options. Camp sites out there and places to take in views.
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Today we went up Sheep Creek to 6000’ elevation spectacular views. Followed down into Lytle Creek wash and up 3N60A for a fun afternoon. Great times!
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This hike was epic. I started at the Icehouse Trailhead, but forgot to hit “record” on the GAIA app. Doh. I did not realize it until the top at Cucamonga Peak. Oh well. At least I recorded the descent.
At the top, there was very light wind, warmer than normal, it was around 80 degrees at the peak. There was just enough breeze to cool things off in the shade. Chapman Trail in the afternoon is hot and difficult due to the narrow trail and rock-slide traverses. It is not for beginners. After reaching Cedar Glen campground, the 2.5 mile hike to the trailhead was amazing. It had all the features: rock slide traverse, oak and pine forest, stream crossing twice, thick scrub brush maze-like narrow trail, switchbacks, and finally the last mile of Icehouse Canyon to the trailhead.
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This hike is okay, kinda just did it out of frustration since I didn’t get to do a through hike to Mt San Gorgonio from Vivian Creek Forest Falls bc they closed it again due to the El Dorado Fire. Ironically, as I was out hiking Sugarlof, they closed all the National Forrests including the San Bernardino one. Meaning you can’t hike anywhere at the moment...
Anyways, I am sure the hike is more fun if you have views which seems to be pretty great in several directions unless there’s a milky smoke layer surrounding it all which was the case as I did it. The hike itself isn’t that strenuous, a few short switchback sections and steeper grade near the summit plateau and a lil up and down, I got up in 2.5 hrs and down in 2, still taking my time. Seems like people cross country ski this in the winter.
If you happen to be in Big Bear and want to do a day hike this could be an option.
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Such a great hike, you start out through arid manzanita thickets till you reach the Wildhorse Creek valley when it turns wet and full of flowers and ferns. You then climb to Wildhorse meadow with Ponderosa Pines. The views are amazing of the Angelus Oaks Area and San Gorgonio Peak are superb!
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A lot of this path has been obscured by winter debris. Some of it follows a seasonal creek! Easy to lose the way
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Great fun exploring new paths with the wifey. We hoped to find water and struck out but we did find amazing views in Gods country.
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Good moto ride. There is a waterfall I suggest going to, it’s near the concrete bridge at the bottom.
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It was cool. A little crowded and brutal at some points. When we got back to the car temp said 106°F.
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Easy hike with gradual climb up until you hit the PCT. Soon after you begin a more aggressive climb to Bertha Peak. At that point I would say it becomes a moderate trail due to the climb. Not much shade throughout the trail. Wear plenty of sunscreen and go earlier during the day or later in the afternoon if you go during summer months. It was 82* the day I went. Temperature was fine, but the sun felt more intense. Take plenty of water if going to Bertha Peak, you will need it if you dehydrate easily like I do. My wife and kids, 6 and 8, climbed up with me until PCT and I continued on by myself after that to Bertha Peak. Met up with them on my way back down. Not many people on the trail that day, Friday. Almost everyone was wearing a face mask or would put one on as we approached. The trail was clean. Some rock and tree roots along the way, but overall very well maintained. Beautiful views from up top of Big Bear and surrounding areas. There are places along the trail to stop and have lunch. There are a few benches along the way to sit and take in the views as well. Overall great hike.
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Good view of Big Bear Lake and you can also see a bit of lake Arrowhead. The trail was pretty forested in the first third, but after you got out of the trees there wasn’t too much shade. Good, short early morning hike.
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Chill ride with 70% easy green trails and 30% blue. 2N06 Radford road was rated a black diamond but felt like an easy blue (easier than Clark’s Grade). Little bit rocky, little bit sandy mostly hardback fire road. Ample roadside parking.
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Easy dirt trail. Entered from Lightning Gulch. Nothing difficult, just a little “annoyingly”rocky on the way down. But, there is a big and nice yellow post camp around the middle of the trail with a lot of pines. A small trailer could make it up but would have to go back the same way.
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3 days of camping and jeeping. Holcomb Valley and Hannah Flat Camp Grounds. Jeeping and a lot of fire roads 3N12, 3N14, 2N71, 2N09, 3N16, 3N09, 2N02, 2N01, and enjoying the family to the max!
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3 days of camping and jeeping. Holcomb Valley and Hannah Flat Camp Grounds. Jeeping and a lot of fire roads 3N12, 3N14, 2N71, 2N09, 3N16, 3N09, 2N02, 2N01, and enjoying the family to the max!
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Chill little trail offering some great views of the lake. Plenty of places to pull off and camp or just hang out for the day.
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Mostly in shade; make it a pleasant hike during hot weather. Be aware of snakes.
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Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Saddle. About 25%-35% shaded. Creek water was clear but had a faint sewer smell. The view on top was breathtaking overlooking the urban grids. View from the Peak is magical at night! Descending took 2 hours 47 mins while Ascending took an hour more. Give yourself 8 hours minimum to Summit and return.
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This trail was alright. It’s easy to miss it, so make sure you’re looking to the right. I suggest taking the right path as soon as possible. Once you get to the point where you see the, barely visible, sign you’ve gone too far. You CAN get down this point but it is steep and not for the very young or old.
Getting back up that hill is a workout and if you’re not used to it you’ll struggle. So, take the lower path, unless you like a good challenge.
Having said that, I can only assume the local Fire and Rescue must have their hands full from the upper trail. It’s just a 911 call waiting to happen. It’s not a path that is maintained, regardless of the fact there is a sign, haphazardly pointing down the hill. Giving it a sense of being, “Official.”
TLDR;
Stick to the right. Pack your trash out.
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Gold mountain has some very challenging sections, a very rewarding ride.
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from deer lane to the music camp above arrowbear lake and back down cedar. nice 45 min loop.
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It was not very difficult, with great views.
Awesome camping spot in the beginning of trail, hard to get to. Very tight with lot of rocks.
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up to the north from the national park fork to running springs to the top of the peak and down... evidence of human activity along the way including a half dome structure with chairs and hammock frame. also saw a bbq grill and picnic table.
spectacular hike!
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From Deer lane to the bottom of Arrowbear Lake and back along the 18 and then down Upper Boulder.
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Trail off the beaten path to a river, Go in through the camping area next time.
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Fun trail only did half. High up there and a ton of paraglider!!! Great views. No obstacles
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The trail starts off on a somewhat well maintained fire road. We never shifted out of 2WD. At the transition point, you should elect to air down and be ready for some moderate spots in the trail. Lifted Jeeps made this trip fine. Lots of shear cliffs and narrow roads with sharp switchbacks. Better then driving on the pavement up to Big Bear.
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This is a beautiful hike. Disappointingly crowded with hikers who don't know wilderness or trail etiquette. Please remember that the wilderness is here for everyone to enjoy, and be respectful of it. 1) Listening to music on a wilderness hike only serves to stress wildlife. 2) Right of way always goes to the uphill trekker. Happy trails!
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This trail was not to difficult with a full size Chevy. I did the whole trail in 2 wheel drive but the trail conditions had 3 difficult obstacles. Also the fire road was Not maintain like prior years most likely due to the COVID 19. Trail drove June 20th 2020
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Hot and buggy with swarms of gnats and biting flies. Views are beautiful but couldn’t stop to enjoy them because of all the bugs. This hike is better in cooler weather, early spring or late fall.
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Great views from the top of Gold Mountain of Big Bear Lake, Moonridge, Sugarloaf and San Gorgonio Mountains and the Mohave desert to the north.
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Leave early in the day, preferably well before 7 am to avoid the heat of the day. Remember that a self-issue wilderness permit (available at the trailhead) is required for Cucamonga Wilderness. Route is very steep in sections, and not a typical grade for a trail in this area. Some sections of the trail close to the summit have small rockslides on them — be careful crossing these sections. PLEASE don’t cut switchbacks and take your trash with you. Thanks!
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Easy hike. Nice views. Not over crowded although there were several more hikers in the afternoon during the decent.
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6/4/20
We start 7 Am,Me n my wife, we get back by 5 Pm, it's very challenging, is lot of rocks, hot day, but it's very rewarding.
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Beautiful viewpoint , only about 1.5 miles up from trail head.
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Buddy in a tundra wanted to hit the trails, so we kept it nice and calm. Started on Holcomb valley trail, but took 2N09A and the scenery immediately changed. Red dirt and tall pines. Rougher trail, but still very doable in a stock Jeep and stock Tundra. WILL BE GOING BACK!
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My families first off-road trail and it was an absolutely great trail. 6:00am start from the 15 and it was peaceful and gorgeous. 4 hour trip and maybe saw 3 people traveling the opposite direction.
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Solid Hike wearing sea gear and carrying tools. All the way to the top of the Truck trail.
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Starts out in the woods but after awhile you get some great views of Big Bear Lake
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I wrote the description, so read that. I nice strenuous hike with some hidden gems built in.
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We started at Onyx Summit and hiked down to Wysup Peak, names after George Wysup a Sierra Club member who passed on. We made the Peak with a short off trail section, then we went further down to Coon Creek Cabin. From there we returned on different trail for a short ways, reconnected with the PCT and headed back the way we came.
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The trails are pretty good except the last section of the Old CC Spur after the area where it washed out. I had to do some bushwhacking to get through to Lytle Creek and poison oak is an issue. There might be a better way following the creek out from the wash out but I would have to try again some other time.
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Had a nice hike from Lake Silverwood to Camp Cajon near McDonalds off the 15 Freeway. Nice rolling hills, lots of Miners Lettuce, flowers, and seasonal springs.
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Nice off road trail with fantastic scenic views. Not very technical but fun with a few water crossings.
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I love Etiwanda Preserve and exploring the canyons and I ended up making it all the way up to Dustin Springs but it was crazy and quite a bushwhack. I’m not sure I would want to do it again for a while, Lol. But I completed a goal and saw some amazing sights so that’s what counts.
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I really like hiking in the San Sevaine area. There are cool forests and meadows and it’s not far from my home. I often walk up the road with my bike and then ride it down.
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3-7-20, Saturday..... This was a nice short trail. Reminded me of being in the Sierras a bit. Wasn’t to crowded. Possibly due to cool weather and a possible storm coming in. The temperatures was about 45.
We started at the bottom off of Tahquitz View Dr. And hiked up to the parking area where we hung out for a rest and bite then hiked back down. Took us 4.5 hours with an hour hanging out up top. Had my 2 Boston’s with me and they did great.
The town I went through on the was was super cute.... brewery,
Shops, restaurants.
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Started near Cal State San Bernardino on Cloudland Truck Trail and went up to Marshall Peak. We were definitely in the clouds and fog. Quite a nice hike in the local mountains and the trail is well maintained. Hang gliders like to go up this trail and take off from Marshall Peak. Highly recommend checking it out!!!
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The only cure for a soul broken and needing to find the healing offered by the mountain.
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This trail would be of interest to both beginners and seasoned off-roaders. There are options all along the way for beginners to take the easy route in a stock 4x4.
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Good beginner/ intermediate trail. Relatively easy only a few hard parts. Mike shaft and abandoned trailer nearby
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This hike is erroneously classified as "Difficult". It is actually quite easy with a nice moderate elevation gain. Only the last .75 miles is a bit harder on the dirt road to Bertha Peak.
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Semi well maintained path high clearance recommended. Kidd Creek yellow post camping site and Buff Mesa camping site on this trail
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The trail is difficult to find as it’s not well maintained. We followed the app in order to guide us because it was difficult to find the trail. No great place to look out here. But we saw deer.
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Easy breeze trail and constant uphill. Open trail with some shades from big trees. You can skip this trail and take the ski lift instead.
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Stayed overnight, very windy at the top all night long, didn’t sleep well, but it’s an amazing hike! It was really difficult for me on the way up. But a very well maintained trail. Awesome views!!
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This is a well-built trail. It climbs through open forest which afforded ample shade earlier in the day, but there were many sunny spots by noon. Still, there was plenty of shade to cool off.
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First half of the trail is easy walking surface
Second half the walking surface is difficult being made of fractured granite rocks
This a great 10 mile out and back hike
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Cool little hike, only came out to 3.6 miles for me. (Was supposed to be 4.6)
Pros: Good views of the mountains and high desert, good amount of wildlife (saw my first rattlesnake of the summer), fun boulder scrambling near the top. Interesting scenery, more like Joshua Tree or the high desert than the mountains.
Cons: Very exposed, little shade, hot. I started at 8 and probably should have started a little earlier. Trail isn’t well marked, glad I was following the GPS track. Have to do some light boulder scrambling in a few spots and most of the way to the final peak.
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One of my favorite hikes of all time. Relatively easy grade for most of the hike with a steep section at the last half mile or so.
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nice drive with the Grand kids we saw baby humming birds feeding at some wild flowers (tried for picture but wasn't fast enough)
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Started at 6am, forgot to hit record until an hour in so this hike is actually 7hrs, 12miles. We also took a slight detour near Cucamonga Canyon area. Overall this trail currently in the Summer is easy. There are some steep bits, and some narrow trail areas but overall straight forward. Trail is much more challenging/fun in Winter.
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Nice Jeep ride. Quite dusty in June but great views. Could do this with 2wd vehicle if you have decent clearance.
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Great 4x4 trail to Big Bear. Lockers not required in summer. Great views
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Great trail. Really long. Be prepared for a workout. Lots of people, dogs, and bikes. The view at the top is amazing. Go all the way and don’t stop short.
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Great easy 4x4 trail with lots of fun off shoots. Definitely a trail for the family. Nice and long with good views.
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