Was a great trail! Kinda just happened apon it from its west entrance. Since it was 2pm I really had no intentions to try anything hard, but I did air down heading up Van Dusen Canyon Rd, just incase something peeked my interest
I just happened to go left at first T by the campground and kinda jogged my way back up "something" mine trail and then low and behold a sign for John Bull,,,total fluke. I figured give it a go,,,can always turn around if it gets to much for my leveled JKU on 35s. Not really sure which direction the trail is typically run, but I could see the end I came out as being more of a starting challenge, maybe I will try it in that direction next time.
I didn't stack any rocks, which made me happy I was picking good lines.
Here's a couple pics, you might need to click on them to enlarge. I'm doing this from my iPhone and my imageshack links don't work the same as from my puter.
I also had my GoPro going the entire trail clicking off a pic every 5 secs. Haven't looked them yet.
What am I doing in Big Bear, currently sitting by a fire hoping the weather doesn't get crappy. Lol. It's pretty cold,,,hoping it stays dry though.
I'm just traveling around trying to hit all the best wheeling spots between Canada and Mexico, on the west ish coast, that my jeep can handle. And camping and hiking with my dog.
And trying to get out wheelin with others,,,but no takers yet. I did get out with another forum member from Colorado, we did Hells Revenge and Poison Spider in the Moab.
Not really sure which direction the trail is typically run, but I could see the end I came out as being more of a starting challenge, maybe I will try it in that direction next time.
Yeah, John Bull is typically run East to West. I wish I didn't have other crap to do this weekend, otherwise I'd totally do a run up there. Big Bear in crappy weather is good times other than cleaning off the mud afterwards!
So long as you're still there, there's a great little restaurant called North Shore Cafe in Fawnskin on the north side of North Shore Drive, just east of the fire station by a block or two.
Best hamburger I have ever had, literally, but they're not just a hamburger joint. I look forward to going there again!
If you are looking for another trail (not so far from where you're at), give
Dishpan Springs a run. It's closer to Lake Arrowhead and while you're in the area, in Cedar Glen is a local favorite called The Malt Shop. A 50's theme diner, where they whip up some of the finest burgers, fries, and malts on earth.
No first time off road trip to Big Bear would be complete without running Gold Mountain. Usually it is a moderate trail for an experienced driver with a Jeep set up like yours, but when wet or with a little snow it can become very interesting. If you do run it alone, run it from the 3N16 side as the now 3 major obstacles ( use to only be 2 ) are down hill vs up hill and when wet (slick) is much easier and safer.
Thank you very much I got a paper copy of same map, but paper is annoying. I have topo maps in my Garmin I could load but...been to lazy I guess. I don't worry about getting lost. Follow my breadcrumb trail in opposite direction if need be.
Today I ran Gold Mountain, started at the hiway, figured more interesting that way. Was a good run, I enjoyed it. And immediately after I bee-lined over to John Bull east entrance and ran it from east to west this time. Definitely made that first half mile more challenging. I got some funny looks from some guys in big lifts on 37s just as I entered asking "you're going to run it in THAT?!" Referring to my only leveled on 35s JKU. I said you betcha and carried on, I was out the other end in under 2 hours. I good line is as good as any lift if you ask me. Not that I wouldn't want the big lift/tire combo in the near future so I don't have to concentrate as much on the trail. Lol.
Years of off roading has taught me, a seasoned driver in a lightly build Jeep can do far more than a less seasoned driver in a heavily built Jeep. Folks out here often equate the more heavily built the Jeep, the more experienced the driver must be. Sometimes it get pretty laughable what one hears on our
trails.
Need 37" to go up John Bull entrance ? lol ! that's funny. When are you coming my direction ? I live in Reno, an hour from the Rubicon. Also live 20 minutes from Moonrocks, see it on you tube. No one comes from Canada to 4 wheel the states without plans to do the Rubicon.
Funny you mention it willysdave. On my other thread I asked you since you live in Reno have you done the Rubicon trail? It's definitely on my list, but I'd like to have another jeep or two to do it with, everywhere I read says I shouldn't try it alone. I plan to be in that area in a couple weeks.
I also need a place to lighten some gear to do that trail. I carry way to much camping gear, which is mostly good, everywhere I've been I set up camp before I go wheeling. But I seriously squat down in the rear a couple inches. So for a 2 day rubicon run I'd need to lighten up to bare essentials. Shoot me a pm if you are interested in hitting the rubicon, or any other spots. Thanks.
Just went for a nice stroll today,,, ran White Mountain. That was a long trail. I went in up Van Dusen and hit a couple of the other less traveled trails west of the Holcomb Campground and made my way over via 3N08, 91 & 17. The followed 3N17 all the way around to Horse Springs and then made my way out at Fawnskin. Beautiful views on most of that run. Tomorrow I'm off to Johnson Valley, time to get the shorts and sandals back on. This chilly weather up here is getting old quick.
I took 18 down from big bear, but that's as close as I got to JV. I did a change of mind this morning. I decided that it's likely I would get bored there since most of the trails were way beyond my jeeps capabilities. So I've headed to Hollister.
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