BBBBXXII - SATURDAY RUN LIST & SIGNUPS

[Dusty]

THIS THREAD/POLL WILL FUNCTION AS OUR SIGNUP SHEET! Please indicate your Run Choice for SATURDAY of Bronco Bash, June 10, 2023, by casting your "vote" in this poll. This vote is not binding, you may change your choice at any time. This just gives us an idea of how many people are interested in this run, and if it needs a run leader or can be left as a DIY run. Please note the TIME and STAGE area for each run. The TIME noted is the time the run leader will leave the staging area for the trail, so please show up in plenty of time to be ready to leave at that time, including any necessary bullshitting, tire kicking, etc. Show up at the staging area already FUELED UP and ready to go.

IMPORTANT: Details for each run are in the next post below. Further information on the various trails, along with maps, photos from past runs, descriptions and difficulty notes, can be found HERE. A list of Staging areas with their exact locations can be found HERE. If you have any questions or want to chat with other members about any of these runs, please feel free to do so here in this thread.

RUNS LIMITED TO 20 VEHICLES. Please choose a different run if the one you're thinking of is already close to 20 rigs. While we can't enforce this, we hope everyone will be courteous and help us spread out our impact on the trail system. EXCEPTION: No vehicle limit on the Bronco Knoll run.

DIY RUNS Several of our proposed runs did not attract a volunteer Run Leader. I have left these on the list as "DIY" runs. That means you are still welcome to run it, but you will be on your own for navigation. If you decide to do one of these DIY runs, please show up at the designated staging area and time and join up with any others who still want to go. Someone among you will need to find your way for the group. This isn't that difficult. Many of the trails have detailed information on the So Cal Broncos static web page or a GPX file I may have provided as a download. If you show up and you are the only one, I suggest choosing something else to do as we do not recommend wheeling out in the back-country alone.

 

[Dusty]

SATURDAY RUNS

WILDHORSE MEADOWS (Trail Info) & COON CREEK (Trail Info)

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Brownie Lane overflow parking lot (click for map)​

GPS Route Files: ONX Off-Road App | Download GPX File​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

Wildhorse Meadows is an easy trail for stock vehicles. It does reach an elevation of 8700 feet, so weather conditions can quickly change, and snow is common in winter. The route starts near Highway 38 a short distance south of the Erwin Ranch Area (it can also be reached from Big Bear through Moonridge and Sand Canyon Road). After a long climb up a shoulder of Sugarloaf mountain, the route passes through a saddle and descends into picturesque Wildhorse Meadows. From there it emerges overlooking the Santa Ana River drainage with great views of Mount San Gorgonio and Ten Thousand Foot Ridge in the distance. The trail ends at Highway 38 near Hart Bar Campground.​

Coon Creek is an easy route with spectacular views. The trail may be run in either direction, but is traditionally started at the west end at Heart Bar Campground. The route passes through a group of well-used equestrian and yellow post campsites as well as crossing the Pacific Coast Trail twice, so be courteous of campers, horses and hikers. Coon Creek Jumpoff offers a spectacular view of the desert to the southeast of the San Bernardino Mountains including the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, and on a clear day a distant glimpse of the Salton Sea.​

DELAMAR MOUNTAIN (WAS SKYLINE DRIVE)

Run Leader: Charlene Bower @Charlene​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Big Bear Discovery Center​

GPS Route Files: ONX Off-Road App | Download GPX File​

Due to Forest Road 2N10 (Skyline Drive) being still closed, this run is being routed to a scenic trip around and over Delamar Mountain on the north side of Big Bear Lake. From the Big Bear Discovery Center, the route will start going up Polique Canyon, then make a circuitous route around the crown of Delamar Mountain. The route then traverses the back-country of the​

BRONCO KNOLL

Run Leader: AJ Starsiak @AJStar89​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Big Bear Convention Center (click for map)​

This will be a first for Big Bear Bronco Bash, with a run to Bronco Knoll, down in the desert by Lucerne Valley. Hunt for the "Easter Egg" coordinates that Ford hid inside every 2021+ Ford Bronco to commemorate the Johnson Valley proving grounds where the new Bronco earned its blue oval. This is a "must see" destination for every Bronco enthusiast. Note that there are about 30 miles of pavement before hitting the dirt, as well as about 3,000 feet in elevation drop so it may be quite warm out on the desert floor. The climb up Bronco Knoll is suitable for all Broncos, though at least 32" tires are recommended on some of the rockier approaches.​

​

UPPER HOLCOMB to THE SQUEEZE

Run Leader: Joerg Hallbauer @BadSquatch​

Staging: 9:00am departure from Boulder Bay Parking Lot (click for map)​

GPS Route Files: ONX Off-Road App | Download GPX File (Note: route file includes Little John Bull, which will not be included in this run)​

This route will string together several trails that progress from Easy (Upper Holcomb Creek - More Info) to Medium (The Squeeze - More Info)​

HORSETHIEF FLAT Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Mormon Church parking lot (click for map)​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

Located to the east of Baldwin Dry Lake, Horsethief Flat is a hidden valley located at the end of a steep, winding trail (FS Road 3N03A). While not overly difficult, the long climb out can be technical, as well as a challenge to cooling systems.​

BURNS CANYON

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from Big Bear High School (click for map)​

GPS Route Files: ONX Off-Road App | Download GPX File​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

This route will string together several shorter, little-traveled routes into one big adventure with up to medium difficulty in some places. The route will begin at easy Balky Horse Canyon (Trail Info) then continue on through Broom Flat on 2N01 to 2N61Y through Round Valley Trail (Trail Info). Then it's back up Burns Canyon Road to the short but fun Rattler Loop (Trail Info) then up to the scenic vistas of Tip Top Mountain before heading back to Big Bear. Along the way you might see old mine workings, some of the world's largest Joshua Trees, an ancient Spanish smelter, and more.​

WHITE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from Big Bear Discovery Center (click for map)​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

I don't have much current info on this one, as it's been many years since anyone has run it during Big Bear Bronco Bash. White Mountain is a medium-rated trail that follows a ridge line on the northern crest of the San Bernardino Mountains, with spectacular views of the Mojave Desert below. The route features some hill climbs but shouldn't be too challenging for most Broncos.​

HEARTBREAK RIDGE Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: Rob Postle @Felix 808​

Discussion Thread: Click Here​

Staging: 9:00am departure from Forest Road 2N01 turnoff from Highway 38 at Mile Marker 41 (click for map)​

Note that the staging area is 16 miles (typically 25-30 minute drive) from the Majestic Moose Lodge. Please plan accordingly and arrive on time. Heartbreak Ridge is a special place for So Cal Broncos, as the Alan Rowe Monument was placed here and dedicated during BBBBIV back in 2005. The trail is rocky, with some long sustained climbs to test your cooling system. Also known as “Pontiac Sluice” due to the old car that sits abandoned in a wash along the way, the trail has no Forest Service road number designation.​

DISHPAN SPRINGS Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from Big Bear Civic Center west parking lot (click for map)​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

The eastern-most trail usually ran at Big Bear Bronco Bash, Dishpan Springs covers a section of Forest Road 3N34 from 3N16 (north of Green Valley Lake) westward to where it crosses Deep Creek, east of Lake Arrowhead. There are several Medium rated obstacles along the way, but the trail gets its Difficult rating from one major section known as “The Waterfall”, Devil’s Slide, or several other names. It consists of a steep, deeply rutted rock face. This one obstacle has caused more roll-overs and “flops” for So Cal Broncos members than any other place in the Big Bear area. Use caution, patience and a good spotter.​

GOLD MOUNTAIN Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: Danny Bogner @bogshotrods​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Gold Mountain trailhead (click for map)​

Gold Mountain is located northeast of Big Bear Lake, along the north shore of Baldwin Dry Lake. We used to classify Gold Mountain as a Medium Trail, but deterioration of the most challenging obstacle on the trail pushes it slightly into the Difficult category. The trail runs the length of Forest Road 3N69 from the shore of Baldwin Dry Lake, up steep switchbacks, over rocky ledges and across the barren talus slope to the peak of Gold Mountain, and down the north side to where it ends at 3N16. This trail may still be considered Medium Difficulty when ran in the north-to-south direction.​

JOHN BULL Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: Steffie Sharp @Steffiesharp​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the wide spot on Van Dusen Canyon Road just off North Shore Drive (click for map)​

One of Big Bear’s toughest trails, “Big” John Bull (to differentiate it from “Little” John Bull, which is included in the Medium Trails section), traverses Forest Service Road 3N10 from it’s junction with Union Flat Rd (3N32) on the east end, to 3N43 on the west. The trail is slightly easier in the west-to-east direction, as most of the rocky sections are downhill. In either direction expect scraped up rims and dented rocker panels if not properly protected.​

HOLCOMB CREEK Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: DIY​

Staging: 9:00am departure from the Fawnskin Fire Station (click for map)​

THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. As there was no volunteer run leader, you may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.​

Forest Service Road 3N93 runs along Holcomb Creek, from its intersection with the easy, well-traveled 3N14 on the east end north of Fawnskin, until it meets with 3N16 at its west end north of Green Valley Lake. The trail may be ran in either direction, with several major and minor rock gardens, creek crossings and hill climbs along the way. This is arguably the toughest trail in the mountaintop section of the Big Bear area. If time permits it can be run in both directions, or tack on Lower Large Flats (Trail Info) for the return trip.​

SIDEWINDER Click Here for Trail Info

Run Leader: Marc Mastromonico @MastroBronco​

Staging: 9:00am departure from The Journey Church (click for map) - please use the dirt area next to their parking lot.​

The toughest trail in the San Bernardino Mountains, though it’s down the eastern slope close to the desert floor. Accessed through Rattlesnake Canyon, Sidewinder will test your body protection (rocker rails are recommended), tire sidewalls and cooling system. (Note: other groups refer to this trail as “Mottino Wash,” if you would like to look it up online)​

 

[AJStar89]

Hey @Dusty put me down as a run leader for bronco knoll

 

[Dusty]

Hey @Dusty put me down as a run leader for bronco knoll

Will do, thanks @AJStar89 !

 

[Acfabb_oscar]

Put us down for Clark’s grade to bear creek. Lead

 

[Dusty]

Put us down for Clark’s grade to bear creek. Lead

Got you down for it. Thanks Oscar!

 

[tom b]

Saturday is the only day I can commit to for sure, upper holcolmb to little john bull sound perfect for us. my wife grew up in BB and would like to see this areas again.

I can't seen to kind a fore sure answer so I have a question. Is there something I need to do other than show up at the meet at 9 in the am?

 

[BadSquatch]

Saturday is the only day I can commit to for sure, upper holcolmb to little john bull sound perfect for us. my wife grew up in BB and would like to see this areas again.

I can't seen to kind a fore sure answer so I have a question. Is there something I need to do other than show up at the meet at 9 in the am?

Nope, not really. You can "sign up" for that run up above, and then just show up. If you sign up, and decide to do something else, it's no biggie. It's just nice for the run leader(s) to know how many people to expect on their run. BTW, I'm signed up for that Holcum to Little John Bull run on Sat.

 

[Dusty]

Hey @tom b it was nice running into you and your wife out by Thomas Hunting Grounds on Sunday! Glad you found your way over to our little corner of the internet BadSquatch is right, there's no official registration for this event, nothing to pay, no equipment inspection, no overbearing club bosses to lord over you. It really is pretty much just show up at whatever run staging area and time you want to. But I'll echo BadSquatch's advice to "sign up" for it here on the run sheets so the run leaders know who is coming. These runs will load up with people as we get closer to the dates, and we like to cap each run at 20 vehicles so we don't impact the trails too much.

 

[tom b]

thanks fellas!

 

[MPBoxer]

Hey @Dusty, Since the easy trails are currently up in the air do you think a rig with 31s and Trac Loks front and rear can do UPPER HOLCOMB to LITTLE JOHN BULL without body damage? I see rocker protection and 33s are recommended for Moderate trails, but this is labeled Easy/Moderate. If I pick my lines well enough what are your thoughts considering you’ve been out there recently?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Dusty]

Hey @Dusty, Since the easy trails are currently up in the air do you think a rig with 31s and Trac Loks front and rear can do UPPER HOLCOMB to LITTLE JOHN BULL without body damage? I see rocker protection and 33s are recommended for Moderate trails, but this is labeled Easy/Moderate. If I pick my lines well enough what are your thoughts considering you’ve been out there recently?

Thanks!
Mike

I'm pretty sure I could drive your rig clean through there but I can't guarantee you can. How's that for an answer?

For what its worth, the only easy trails that are still up in the air are the ones that include Clark's and Skyline. The Wildhorse Meadows & Coon Creek run is all clear. And the others will be re-routed to open trails of similar dificulty/easyness if the designated trails aren't accessible by the second weekend in June.

 

[MPBoxer]

I'm pretty sure I could drive your rig clean through there but I can't guarantee you can. How's that for an answer?

For what it’s worth, the only easy trails that are still up in the air are the ones that include Clark's and Skyline. The Wildhorse Meadows & Coon Creek run is all clear. And the others will be re-routed to open trails of similar dificulty/easyness if the designated trails aren't accessible by the second weekend in June.

Bahahaha 10-4, thank you for additional info!

 

[BadSquatch]

Folks, I'm thinking about leading the Upper Holcomb to Little John Bull trail. However, I've not been on any of those trails, so I'm not sure about lines, etc. So what I was thinking was I would pre-run it on the weekend before Bash. Is anyone with some experience with those trails interested in joining me and lending their experience? I'm good on either Sat. or Sunday. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[AJStar89]

Hey Everyone,
I'm looking forward to seeing you all in a few weeks. For those joining us for the up to Bronco Knoll Trail, I lead a fair amount of runs and I like to have list of everyones contact info and emergency contacts just incase.

I put together a Google form to help collect some basic info like contact info incase anything happens. At the end if will give you the GPS route we'll be using for the day. If youre not a techie, dont worry about it, let's just connect at the meet up spot.

Link: Bronco Knoll Form

Please bring water, snacks, sunscreen and a paint pen if you would like to leave your mark on the Knoll. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Cheers,

AJ

@Buttercupthebronco @najay @BroncoMeh @kynceestine @MarcyMcMillan @robsquatch @BadBronco51 @michdurazo @Dronco @Onebadbronco @Boshizle @Braptorpeak

 

[Dusty]

Hey Everyone,
I'm looking forward to seeing you all in a few weeks. For those joining us for the up to Bronco Knoll Trail, I lead a fair amount of runs and I like to have list of everyones contact info and emergency contacts just incase.

I put together a Google form to help collect some basic info like contact info incase anything happens. At the end if will give you the GPS route we'll be using for the day. If youre not a techie, dont worry about it, let's just connect at the meet up spot.

Link: Bronco Knoll Form

Please bring water, snacks, sunscreen and a paint pen if you would like to leave your mark on the Knoll. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Cheers,

AJ

@Buttercupthebronco @najay @BroncoMeh @kynceestine @MarcyMcMillan @robsquatch @BadBronco51 @michdurazo @Dronco @Onebadbronco @Boshizle @Braptorpeak

They should also bring a rock from home to add to the cairn

 

[Dusty]

Folks, I'm thinking about leading the Upper Holcomb to Little John Bull trail. However, I've not been on any of those trails, so I'm not sure about lines, etc. So what I was thinking was I would pre-run it on the weekend before Bash. Is anyone with some experience with those trails interested in joining me and lending their experience? I'm good on either Sat. or Sunday. Let me know if you're interested.

I'll get you that GPX file tonight!

 

[BadSquatch]

I'll get you that GPX file tonight!

I'm getting a little worried. Most of the folks signed up for this run are inexperienced, or have limited experience and I think, like me, were looking for a Medium run to stretch themselves and their Bronco's a bit. Then Steffie mentioned on Facebook that there were now spots on Little John Bull that were more like Difficult rated. So I'm wondering if maybe I should reconsider? I also got no takers for the pre-run yet either, so that adds to my concern.

 

[Dusty]

I'm getting a little worried. Most of the folks signed up for this run are inexperienced, or have limited experience and I think, like me, were looking for a Medium run to stretch themselves and their Bronco's a bit. Then Steffie mentioned on Facebook that there were now spots on Little John Bull that were more like Difficult rated. So I'm wondering if maybe I should reconsider? I also got no takers for the pre-run yet either, so that adds to my concern.

The spot she was talking about is one obstacle and its on Little John Bull, the last section of this route. I drove that section in my 2-door with no lockers when we pre-ran it a couple of weeks ago. I would still consider it "Medium", not "Difficult" by trail rating standards. That said, if you're not comfortable leading it of course you can bow out. There's no arm-twisting here.

One thing you might consider is simply lopping off the last section of trail (Little John Bull). Where you come out at the end of The Squeeze, before continuing on to Little John Bull, there is a bail-out road back to town. You could just do that if you want. Maybe tell anyone who still wants to continue on to LJB to go on, if they are confident in their Bronco and their driving. If you do go up and pre-run the route, you could go check it out and make your decision. when you see the spot on LJB I'm talking about (you'll know it when you see it). Its only a short distance into LJB and you could turn around and come back out if you decide you don't want to attempt it.

 

[tom b]

I'd go Joerg, but my bronco wont be available and I don't have another 4x4. We could meet somewhere and I could ride along if that is any help