Comments for Big Bear Trails

Comment on Seven Summits of Big Bear – Straight by Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:48:13 +0000

Hey I am wondering if this trail route would be doable on a MTB

Someone please let me know and I would love to hear your thoughts about it

Comment on San Gorgonio’s North Face by Justin McCabe

Justin McCabe — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:43:40 +0000

Thanks for sharing this! Taking this trip this upcoming weekend with some fresh snowfall. Thanks for the look ahead!

Comment on Gold Mountain via the Pacific Crest Trail by Randy

Randy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:43:27 +0000

Thanks, Bill, for the insight. This is curious to me. I have come across similar rock fields in other places, like on the sides of San Gorgonio, where I don’t believe there was ever mining, and where I couldn’t see evidence of mining. In this spot, have you seen evidence of the source of the tailings above where they start? Any idea how they got there?

Comment on Gold Mountain via the Pacific Crest Trail by Bill

Bill — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:53:29 +0000

Thank you for the trail information and pictures.

I would like to propose a small correction. Your description refers to “a large scree field.” I’ve hiked this trail a couple of times, and found no evidence of any scree at all.

What your pictures show is tailings.

While scree and tailings are both steep piles of rocks, they are formed quite differently (natural erosion vs. byproduct of mining). Calling these rock fields scree doesn’t give proper credit (blame is a better word, I suppose) for the reason they are there — the stamp mills of the gold mining operations that left them there.

Comment on Solo Summit of Mt. Whitney by Carl Penaloza

Carl Penaloza — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 23:13:20 +0000

Nice pictures and great commentary! My mother forwarded this to me before I did Whitney 2 weeks ago. She lives in Big Bear! Wow was Whitney awesome. We did it in one day also, 5 of us. 3 guys, two girls. We all made the top, but some of us had more troubles than the others. Such a fulfilling hike and tons of fun. I couldn’t believe how long the final stretch was. I guess I had forgotten because we started at 2:15 am, in the dark. I recommend this hike to everyone. Not sure what is next though!!

Comment on Skyline Trail Public Meeting by Greg Hummel

Greg Hummel — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:25:20 +0000

Hooray! Another trail across the high ridges south of Big Bear should give fantastic views of the lake and San Gorgonio mountain. Sweet, keep the trail building up!

Comment on Seven Summits of Big Bear – Straight by Buddy

Buddy — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 16:13:16 +0000

Great Challenge! I plan on doing this on July 28th this year. The plan is to run it, all on trails or roads. Anyone up for joining me on all or part?

Comment on A Sleepless Winter Night On Top San Gorgonio by Erik

Erik — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:05:03 +0000

Wow. That’s an absolutely awesome adventure and trip report.

Comment on A Sleepless Winter Night On Top San Gorgonio by Royal

Royal — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:22:13 +0000

It is super interesting that we humans have the desire to push beyond our comfortable boundaries. The urge to survive is challenged and most likely gives one the sense of BEING on our little planet. Little did I know, inviting my kids to sleep in the Santana winds outside, that they would be pushing the envelope to summit mountains in the snow and wind. But actually, I am not surprised. Randy, you are and have always been loved. I marvel at your escapades. SAFETY FIRST!
Your Momma

Comment on Solo Summit of Mt. Whitney by Randy

Randy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:48:38 +0000

Thoughts on getting in shape for Whitney: Conditioning and altitude acclimatization. For conditioning, running and especially walking/hiking. Not as much with the cycling, although I suppose for cross-training it wouldn't hurt. Anything where you are climbing steeply is good: hill runs, stair climbing, snowshoeing steeper slopes. If it were me, I'd be very comfortable doing double-digit hikes (beyond 10 miles). Because when you add to that the weight of a pack and the affects of altitude, it will still be a push. It also depends on how you plan to do it, single day or multi-day. I've only done it in one day, but I have friends who have done it different ways (1-day run, 1-day hike, 2-day overnight) and the consensus is that an overnight makes it a bit easier and much more pleasant. Plus the night on the trail adds to your altitude acclimatization. Some people have trouble with the altitude and opt to spend multiple nights beforehand camping at high spots in the area. I met someone who had trained well in preparation for her 3rd attempt and still had to quit early due to altitude sickness. I only got a slight headache near the top, but many years ago when I climbed Mt. Hood I definitely was severely affectedly by the altitude. I imagine the better shape you are in, the easier it is for your body to deal with the altitude. And the faster you want to do it (1 day vs. multi-day), the better shape you will want to be in. You might consider finding a climb in your area that comes close as a trial. For me, San Gorgonio is a good warm up with its higher altitude and longer distance. Hope that helps.