BIG BEAR [August 3rd-11th] Anyone?

[Ken Cooke]

Saturday August 5th - Sunday August 6th

Tentatively speaking, my schedule will permit me going either Saturday August 5th or Sunday August 6th. Maybe both days - my wife is housebound due to her having Lupus, and she'll need to be watched by family on both of those days. She's a great sport, and she wants me to "Get away" and "4 wheel" with you guys. Shortly after, my wife and I are moving once Escrow closes on our new place, and I'll be committed to moving after the 6th.


Unfortunately, I could not camp out August 3rd - 10th. My campspace might be available for anyone who wants it on those dates. I want to get a refund for the space, but it looks like the $114 is now in the hands of the Park Service. Just contact me if you are interested in use of this space (space #68 - Heartbar Campground, Big Bear, CA).

 

[Ken Cooke]

Post your Heads Up for the Big Bear Run!

Saturday August 5th and Sunday August 6th!

My email is: the_desert_outlaw@deserttrance.com

my cell phone # is: (909) 255-1589


Lets plan to meet at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains - anyone have a favorite spot to meet up at? Also, we need to plan a spot to rendezvous with Big Bear Bob. Bob, do you have a favorite spot to meet up?

 

[RangerX]

Okay, I'm in!

Ken, are you camping for one night? Is there room for more?

The place I'm used to for meeting is the center of Fawnskin. Convenient if we're doing the Gold Mtn trail.

 

[Xplodor]

I'm in for Sat. How hard will the trails be? Will I make it, I'm still running my stock gears and open diff, and only on 33's since the 35's didn't fit. =(

 

[sirhk100]

Ron,

Bring the Mustang, I want to ride in that!!!!!!

 

[Jefe]

Re: Post your Heads Up for the Big Bear Run!

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Saturday August 5th and Sunday August 6th!

Um, wouldn't that be Saturday August 3rd and Sunday August 4th??

I may be interested, however I've got plans on Friday and on Monday so I'm not too sure.

If I don't make it, I'd love to meet up with you guys another time up there.

 

[RangerX]

Ron and BigBearBob, we can find trails suitable for all of us.

 

[Ken Cooke]

Ahem, August 3rd/4th - Let's 'wheel!

Ranger X,

Fawnskin is a great meeting place. Will 9 a.m. be too early for everyone? Ranger X, Please post directions how to get there since the group will need the same set of directions - assuming they are coming from the same directions.

I will find out if the campsite is available. If so, I'm sure we can all use #68 and #69 since they're paid for. This is in the Heartbar Campground - Big Bear, CA.

 

[RangerX]

Here's how I get to Fawnskin. Depending on where you are coming from, this may or may not be the best way to get there. I suggest everyone going have an area map.
From Riverside, I take the 30 to the 330. The 330 zigzags up the mountain and takes you to Running Springs. From there, go east on 18 to Big Bear Lake. At the lake stay left onto 38. Fawnskin is the first town you come to. There's a triangle of open space right in the center in front of the fire station. We can meet there. 9AM is a good time, what does everyone else think?
My wife may be bringing her new 92 sport to wheel for the first time. If so, I'll definately be staying off of John Bull trail, and maybe some of the other tough trails. She has 31's and open diffs, for now.

Now would be the time to speak up if you are going to make it!

 

[Ken Cooke]

9 A.M. - I'll be there!

I'll be at the Firestation in Fawnskin at 9:00 A.M. I will be able to 'wheel both Saturday and Sunday - if anyone is interested. My friend Dan will also be driving up from Palm Springs.

I paid big money for the campsite in Heartbar, and I'm thinking about using it as opposed to staying in a hotel room. If anyone else is interested in using this campsite - it's free, and I want my money's worth! That's #68 and #69 Heartbar Campground.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Ron this sounds great and we will plan to be at Fawnskin 9:00 am hopefully we'll be there both days.

Ken thanks for getting this together and hope to meet a some of you then.

 

[RangerX]

Bob, glad you're going to make it.
I was looking at my maps, and can't find Oynx Summit. Where it that exactly? I figure you're right there near Fawnskin.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

RangerX

Thanks for letting us know we're welcome on the trip, and we will be there unless something major comes up.

Fawnskin is at the other end of the lake from us. It takes about 20 minutes for us to get to Fawnskin.

We actually live in Sugarloaf, which is passed the airport at the far end of the lake off the 18 on the right as the 18 changes it's name from Bear Valley rd. to "The Rim of the World Drive" and
circles back and heads to Redlands.

Sugarloaf is the last of larger semi forested populated areas as you head out of the valley towards Onyx Summit,(near the wild mule area).

Onyx Summit is the peak of hill you would be on if you take the Rim of the World Drive back down to Redlands.

Sugarloaf is kinda laid back little area. The town consists of a High School, Post Office, Fire Station, a small town type local Grocery store, a Bar&Grill and a small Real Estate Office that's it.

The reason I mentioned Onyx Sumit is the elavation on the highway is about 8500' at the crest, and if you take the Rim of the World Drive back down to Redlands thats the name of the mountain you'll be on, and the summit is less than 10 minutes from the crest to our house.

FYI, there is also an easy but scenic dirt/gravel road that goes up to the very top and over of the peak and probably adds another 1000'or maybe more to the elivation. I wish I knew the forrest Service number of the road, but it loops back down to the Rim of the World Drive a few miles down the other side of the summit.

One last thing Sugarloaf was also a productive mining area in Big Bears mining heyday. But the productivity was nothing near what was happening on the other side of the valley.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Hi Guys
Today we did 3N61 from Cactus Flats to the Lucky Baldwin Mine (the fork that will take you into Holcomb Valley or exit out to Baldwin Lake and highway 18) and then went back down to Cactus Flats and took the highway home.

I've heard the Native Americans thought this area of Big Bear was holy, and there are pictographs, and places worn into the stone that where used to prepare medicines.

This part of 3N61 isn't really that long of a drive. It starts at or just below 6000 feet at Cactus Flats, and ends at the top of the hill above the Big Bar Landfill area. Probably close 7000 feet.

This part of 3N61 is rated as moderate in difficulty and takes about an hour to do if you drive slow enough to enjoy the sights. It could easily be done in under an hour, but could also be an all day adventure if you got out to explore some of the history the trail has to offer.
I think the reason the trail is rated as moderate in difficulty, is that it has lots of loose rock covering much of the trail, from small to large (most of them sharp). It also has more than a few steep slopes with deep offset wash-boarded areas and a few twists and turns thrown in to keep you on your toes. The trail is also pretty narrow even for an X, so we normally keep the speed down a bit, but if you did push it a little you could have allot of fun.

The bad news for me is that a buddy was trailing us in his full size Chevy truck (running 33's with a slight lift), and he was saying that when we where going over some of the deeper wash-boarded parts of the trail, he was clinching his teeth thinking that we where going to bottom out. I have to say that we had four adults in our the X so....

Anyway I guess we'll get the TT and shackle lift done ASAP.

Again hope to see you around early Aug.

 

[Xplodor]

Bill,

When are you going up? If it's Sat. morning you want to meet before we start up the mountain?

Also, where is everyone sleeping? I don't mind tenting it, infact all my gear is still in my truck =), so how is the tenting situation working?

P.S. I'm not lazy, I tried reading the posts, but just got confused on where everyone is planning on camping/tenting/hoteling?!?!?!

 

[Ken Cooke]

Free Lodging on me!

I paid $114 for camp space #68 in Heartbar Campground up near Big Bear. My friend Andrew (who was coming, but cancelled) purchased #69 in Heartbar Campground. Both sites are available for use between August 3rd-August 10th. I wanted my money returned for these sites, but since there is a need, I want us to get our money's worth out of these campsites.

Xploder - I'm driving up from Riverside on Saturday morning. I will leave the Canyon Crest area at around 7:00 a.m. in order that I will get to Fawnskin a little early, and not have to drive too fast up those mountain roads. If you'd like to carrivan, just drop me an email, or call me on my cell - (909) 255-1589.

One question: Does anyone have a SIDEKICK or TOPO MAP of the Big Bear/Arrowhead area? If so, please bring your map! I just have the William Teie publication "Trails of the San Bernardino Mountains" and that does not contain enough information for what our needs are. Thanks!

 

[RangerX]

Originally posted by Xplodor
P.S. I'm not lazy, I tried reading the posts, but just got confused on where everyone is planning on camping/tenting/hoteling?!?!?!

That's why I started another thread and am locking this one. Look for "Big Bear Aug 3+4 (New Thread)" and continue the conversations and planning there, thanks!