WHere is a good place to do mild 4X4 @ Big Bear?

[Scooterpilot]

just learning to do the off roading.

What trails in Big Bear are good trails to learn on?

Thanks

 

[drfdog]

I just got back from Big bear! I went over to fawnskin, take the main road and pass on the right hand side of the fire station. It looks like a one rig station. The road leads to some camp grounds. Then it turns into dirt, about 3/4 mile up you will see a trail on the right. Take it up and follow along. I went about three miles but there was still more to go. This part was mild and semi mild. I used atrac with stock tire pressure and had no problem!

Dog

 

[Scooterpilot]

Thanks for the info


Chuck

 

[DBS311]

You can do any trail up there, they aren't that bad. Just stay away from John Bull, Dishpan Springs, and Holcomb Creek. Unless you want to do this.................

 

[DBS311]

Once you get up to Big Bear, get a map of the local trails.

Grapevine Canyon = Moderate
Willow Creek Road = Easy
Butler Peak = Easy
Jacoby Canyon = Moderate
Gold Mountain = Difficult (You should have no problem with this trail)
Clarks Summit = Moderate
Skyline Drive = Easy (Very good scenery)
Rattlesnake Canyon = Moderate

I would post a map, but my scanner isn't working. There are a lot of trails that you will be comfortable on with your FJC. You COULD do the more difficult trails if you have ATRAC and locker, but you will hit and bang up the undercarriage quite a bit.

 

[calstyl2]

For person who is new to the area I would start with a trail map, SOR has some good trail maps for BB, also 4wheel Parts or many vendors is the 4WD magazines, The maps are great for getting a idea of what is in the area.
As far as good entry trails, I recomend, Clarks grade, Radford grade, Skyline Drive, Pipes Canyon was nice till it got moonscaped this summer, Gold Mountain is a little more difficult but will show you what more difficult is, Butler Peak is a fun and beautiful run, Pilot Rock fire road around Lake Silverwood os great.
Stay off John Bull, Holcomb Creek, and Dishpan till your armored up and feeling confident and with some experenced folks.
enjoy the area a great area for day trips
RS

 

[mln30]

They're right. I grew up up here in the Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear region and we have a ranch down in the Crab Flats area. Try 3N16 from Crab Flats Campground to Big Pine Flats and on to Holcomb Valley and the Lucky Baldwin Gold Mine. Very scenic, very easy. If you're into the more moderate trails, try hopping onto 3N16 from Deep Creek from Hook Creek rd. and on up past Tent Peg C. G. . It used to have a nice bouldery rough section we locals liked to call "ballbuster hill". heheh. lots of fun, but not hard like the John Bull or H. Ck. .

We live 4 miles off the main highway at Green Valley lake, so everyday it's offroad just to get home. Great place to start, and have some backcountry fun...

PM me if you want locations on where to have some mtn. activities, like the Deep Creek hot springs (off 173), swimming holes and cliff jumping by Gilligans Island, or some hiking trails or rock climbing in Holcomb or the Pinnacles.

glad to have you in the Big Bear mountains!

cheers!

 

[Mister Entropy]

For our first offroad adventure in our FJ Cruiser we did pretty much exactly what min30 suggested - taking the 3N16 to the 3Ni14. It was indeed very pretty and in no way challenging. My out-of-town visitors had a great time. Thanks for the suggestions!