An afternoon in bigbear area

[Qball]

Hi there

I'm new to offroading but been tinkering with my FJ80 for a while and for the most part she is reliable as any car I had. I'm planning on going to spend an afternoon(9/5) in big bear area exploring just wondering if you guys can point me to some easier trails there I can explore solo.

I'm thinking heading up clark's grade(looks quite easy) cross the lake and link up to 3n16 or holcomb valley then link up with 3n14 some how which is where my campsite is.

Anything I should watch for? Anything else I should do? I want to do white mountain but I'll be solo so not sure if I should. I'm on a fairly stock FJ80 with 33 AT, OME factory lift and no lockers.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SIZZLE]

It's been a while since i've been there, so i can't be very specific, but iirc even the trails marked Medium are pretty burly. I'd stick to the Easy trails and fire roads. Get a map of the area.

When going solo, stop and walk ahead to scout a section if you have any hesitation. Don't be afraid to turn around, and never go down something that you don't think you could drive back up. Lastly, bring water and warm clothes in case you mess up!

Oh, and take a camera and post up some pics when you are back!

 

[e9999]

I don't remember the specifics (they should be here someplace) but I once did go from -I think- the eastern part of Big Bear lake, up N, then West, and ended up at Arrowhead lake, west of big bear. Or maybe it was the other way around. Anyway, all pretty easy dirt roads, nothing too much technical and very enjoyable. Took a good chunk of a day. The roads were pretty easy to figure out. There are maps out there online and a visitor center in BB for latest info on closures etc. As usual, remember that when you talk to the rangers etc you need to put things in context. To most of them, when they say impassable they mean impassable to an Accord. So explain it's a built 80 etc. But there are indeed some pretty rough trails also.

And the climb up to BB from the LA basin will give you some valuable info about the condition of your cooling system...

 

[Qball]

I don't remember the specifics (they should be here someplace) but I once did go from -I think- the eastern part of Big Bear lake, up N, then West, and ended up at Arrowhead lake, west of big bear. Or maybe it was the other way around. Anyway, all pretty easy dirt roads, nothing too much technical and very enjoyable. Took a good chunk of a day. The roads were pretty easy to figure out. There are maps out there online and a visitor center in BB for latest info on closures etc. As usual, remember that when you talk to the rangers etc you need to put things in context. To most of them, when they say impassable they mean impassable to an Accord. So explain it's a built 80 etc. But there are indeed some pretty rough trails also.

And the climb up to BB from the LA basin will give you some valuable info about the condition of your cooling system...

Thanks for the info and yes I do plan on taking it easy and stick with fireroads, downloaded a map from forest service also. My biggest concern is Clark's grade but from YouTube video it looks quite mild.

I just recently replaced my fan clutch and changed out PO's no name vbelts to OEM Toyota belts.

It's been a while since i've been there, so i can't be very specific, but iirc even the trails marked Medium are pretty burly. I'd stick to the Easy trails and fire roads. Get a map of the area.

When going solo, stop and walk ahead to scout a section if you have any hesitation. Don't be afraid to turn around, and never go down something that you don't think you could drive back up. Lastly, bring water and warm clothes in case you mess up!

Oh, and take a camera and post up some pics when you are back!

Thanks and I will definitely take lots of picture!