Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Q on Big Bear trails

2K views 21 replies 11 participants last post by  lka 
#1 ·
Hi All

Sorry, not quite a JEEP post.

Anyone familiar with trails up in Big Bear, as far as difficulty for a stock 4x4 F150? I want to take the truck rather than the jeep simply for comfort for four people. I've jeeped up there before and also took my 4x4 Durango up. But it's been a few years and I'm not sure what trails I've been on.

Right now I'm waiting on a set of new BFG AT KO2 for my truck and once they're on I wanna take the wife and some friends up for some snowy trail fun. Not looking for anything too tuff. Mainly fire roads but some moderate trails would be nice also.

I've got an '06 Lariat 4door. Just put on a 2.5" level kit in prep for the new 270x65-20 BFG.

I'm thinking trail 3n16 is mainly a fire road to curise around and get into the back country a bit. But are there any offshoots that would be fun as well. And what area's are good to hit? I'm thinking get on the 3n16 down by Green Valley and make way up to Holcomb Valley.

Any input is greatly appriciated
 
See less See more
#2 ·
That's really the best trail. I've recommended a few people take that from Green Valley all the way to the other side of Holcomb past the Old Mine. You can cut off and check out Wilber's Grave, you could cut North at Big Pine Flat Campground and follow that trail all the way to Lucerne Valley, you can follow the trail down to the Discovery Center.
 
#5 ·
A map is a big help. I would not venture onto any of the black diamond trails. Stay on the roads in snow. But you can explore that north side of Big Bear Lake all the way to Arrowhead. If the snow is spotty, you could even go to Hesperia. Just be careful, as the roads get really steep at that end of the Coxey Truck Trail. If there is any chance of ice, I wouldn't plan on going that far. You could also drop down across 18 and head down toward Pioneertown. I have taken my truck down there, and have ridden the dirt bike there a few times years ago. Lots of roads with some easy challenges. In the snow, they become a bit more difficult, but nothing a 4X4 pickup can't handle. Take your recovery gear.
 
#7 ·
You can also go to the other side and run the trail that goes from snow summit to bear mountain. I forget the name sorry. But it's just a fire road as well. But there is more to see on 3n16. 3n16 is especially nice when it's lightly snowing.
 
#8 ·
Socaljk
Maybe you're talking about SKYLINE DR? I'm looking at google maps.
I've never done any trails on that side of the lake.
 
#9 ·
Speaking of maps..... I am planning to start a new post for this question, but may as well ask.

I do plan to have hard copy of some trail map, either from DCenter or download and print. I did used to have trail maps a long time ago. Probably stuffed in a drawer somewhere at home.

Anyway, I am also looking at a couple of sites where you can download trail maps into a GPS or Mobile device like an ipad or android.

Wonder if anyone has any experience with the following two sites, or any other similar??

California OHV Roads & Trails

California Trail Map

I like to boat a bit and have done this with coastal charts. I use my samsung tablet as a chart plotter. But always have hard copies as well. Don't rely on electronic devices alone!
 
#10 ·
I have experience with neither of those websites, and tend to create my own breadcrumb trails with my GPS. I have an ipad, but decline to use it for navigation. The Garmin Nuvi does pretty well, despite not having the off-road version of the database installed.
 
#12 ·
I've got a Garmin nuvi as well. I prefer using the mobile devices for google maps.
I haven't tried loading a different map into the Garmin.
 
#15 ·
#14 ·
Chris, You can download this PDF and print it out, or download this you PC, Tablet, even your Android or Iphone, it'll list all the the trails in Big Bear and their rate designation with colors.
http://sbnf-adopt-a-trail.com/files/Big_Bear_Area_4x4_Trail_Map_PDF.pdf

As suggested, 3n16 from green valley is easy, and with the map, you can decide where to go, you could follow the 3n16 from green valley to 3n14, take a left to 3n14 (if you go right, you'll go Fawnskin) and do the 3n14 loop towards 3n17d (White Mountain), 3n17d is blue (moderated), but with snow, i don't know how easy/difficult it would be, 3n17d loops through 3n14 again, if you go right in the 3n16/3n14 connector, there some gun target camps in there if you guys want to have that kind of fun, 3n16 and 3n14 are pretty much easy, you'll find a couple of water crossings here and there, nothing complicated for a truck, in the summer you can do this trails in 4x2, but the snow will change some things.

Have fun.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for these maps all.... they're perfect.

When I get the chance to go [as I mentioned, waiting on new tires :( ] how much snow is on the trails will determine if we stay on green or venture into the blue.

Dario, We probably will not have that kind of fun on the trip. Even though I've got plenty of ammo now after this weekend gun show in OC ;)
 
#18 ·
Hey Chris, I hope everything finds you folks well .Mary and I were looking forward to going but we got family drama going on, and were supposed to be empty nesters! 3N16 and 3N82 is were the Gold Prospecting group we were with use to go on a claim, You can drive a motorhome to there, I know I did for each outing, I have driven on 3N16 all around Ironwood to Tanglewood I believe. What's funny is the GNP club use to copy that map for everyone to use to find the claim....We will keep in touch with you and Cecilia... Take care and have fun!!!
 
#19 ·
We're good, thanks.
This orig post was in preparation to the epic el niño that was supposed to bury all of us under snow and floods this year.
got to do a little snow wheeling in past few months, and some other big bear runs.
was just up there yesterday with socal canyon krawlers.
 
#21 ·
No snow at all for mud. It was a good time but a little crowded on the trails because the Big Bear Jeep Jamboree was going on.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top