FRIDAY RUNS
LADIES RUN
This an Adults Only Ladies Run. There are NO MEN OR CHILDREN allowed on this run. This is intended as a chance for the ladies to get on the trail in their Broncos and build their confidence on the trail without the men driving from the passenger seat or other distractions. This run is suitable for anyone from beginners to experienced wheelers who just want hang out on the trail with their fellow Bronco Babes for a few hours. The route will string together several trails that progress from Easy (
Upper Holcomb Creek -
More Info) to Medium (
The Squeeze -
More Info), with the option to continue on to another Medium section (
Little John Bull -
More Info) for those feeling adventurous at the end. This run stages at Boulder Bay Park, just west of the Majestic Moose on Big Bear Boulevard. IMPORTANT: Please respect the participation restrictions as stated above.
Run Leader: DIY
THIS IS A "DIY" RUN. Our original run leader has had to bow out due to family matters. You may still run this trail but you will be on your own for navigation.
NOTE: The Staging Location and route have been changed due to the lingering trail closures from the winter storms.
This run is offered as a fun way to actually get TO Big Bear rather than just driving up the highway. It starts at the Mill Creek Ranger Station in Mentone, and goes up Highway 38 through Mill Creek Canyon just a short distance to Forest Road 1N12. This road winds up the steep sides of Mill Creek Canyon offering spectacular views up the canyon towards Forest Falls. The road continues north, through a saddle and winds its way up to picturesque Thomas Hunting Grounds, eventually coming back to Highway 38 at Angelus Oaks. After only a few hundred feet up Highway 38, the route plunges down Middle Control Road toward the bottom of the Santa Ana River Gorge, passing a waterfall or two along the way (depending on runoff). After crossing the river, the route hops onto Forest Road 1N09 and 1N54 very briefly before turning on to Frontline Road 1N04 for the scenic trip up through the gorge. Frontline Road meanders through meadow and creeks as it roughly parallels the Santa Ana River until coming back to Highway 38 where the highway crosses the river. Trekkers will then hop back on Highway 38 for a couple of miles before transitioning back to dirt for the final climb up and over the mountain into Big Bear. This will be via Wildhorse Meadows Road 2N93, with its grand vistas of Mount San Gorgonio. The final trek into Big Bear is via Sand Canyon Road 2N27, which comes back to pavement in the Moonridge area of Big Bear.
WILDHORSE MEADOWS (
Trail Info) &
COON CREEK (
Trail Info)
Run Leader: DIY
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.
BRONCO KNOLL
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 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.
HORSETHIEF FLAT Click Here for Trail Info
Run Leader: DIY
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: Dusty Sharp
@Dusty
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.
Run Leader: DIY
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: DIY
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.
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
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: DIY
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.
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
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
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.
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)
I'll need a passenger seat for Super Dave as I've got V in mine.
