UPDATE: Great News! The temporary trail closrures have been lifted! The information on the USFS road closure website is a bit confusing and a mix of old and current info, but it appears that the order issued in March due to the storms has been lifted early (it was supposed to be in effect through June). We'll continue to monitor and update as news comes available.
As some of you are aware, due to the recent storms the US Forest Service has issued temporary closures on many of the trails we usually use during Big Bear Bronco Bash. You can read the official closure order HERE. Note that "Mountain Top Ranger District" which says "Any Forest Road" includes all of Big Bear and Holcomb Valleys, while the Front Range Ranger District calls out specific trail closures which include all of the trails we usually run in the Santa Ana River Gorge area and many of them in the Lake Arrowhead area. These closures are set to expire on June 30th, which places Big Bear Bronco Bash within the closure dates.
We are monitoring the situation closely, making contacts and exploring ways we can either help to get these dates moved forward or grant special permissions to our group. Please do not inquire to the Forest Service on behalf of So Cal Broncos on your own. So Cal Broncos and our members have a long history with the Forest Service and the trail system. We are the Adopt-A-Trail club for Little John Bull and Burnt Flats. We have members with relationships within the Forest Service who are already looking into this. Our group includes folks with a wealth of forest experience, trail maintenance and stewardship. We stand ready to assist with trail evaluation, clearing, repairs, etc., if needed. If the opportunity comes up for volunteer crews to pitch in to get these trails opened earlier, we will of course put out the call and welcome everyone who can lend a hand.
But the bottom line here is that Big Bear Bronco Bash will go on, regardless of what happens with these trails. The worst case scenario is that all of these trails will still be closed during BBBBXXI, and that we won't be able to access them even with any sort of special permission. If that is the case, we'll simply set our sights on trails that are farther out, which aren't subject to the closures. Mostly that will mean a trip down the hill for trail runs. The Cougar Buttes, Johnson Valley, Lucerne Valley, Rattlesnake Canyon areas aren't that far away. We had already planned on adding a run or two down the hill, including a trek to Bronco Knoll. So we'll just have to expand on that strategy.
More likely is that some of the trails will open early and we'll have access to at least some of them. Reports are that some of the trails included in the blanket closure order aren't under very much snow and are in good shape, and will be in their normal shape by May or early June. So we anticipate still having access to some, maybe most, hopefully all, of the affected trails. But if we don't, we'll adapt and overcome.
If you were looking forward to Big Bear Bronco Bash but are concerned about these closures, my advice is to continue to plan to be there. While I can't guarantee that any of the closed trails will be back open by then, I can guarantee that you'll still have a great time. You may have to drive a bit further for the trail rides, but everything else that makes Big Bear Bronco Bash special will still be there: The people, the brotherhood, the food, the party, the Damn Good Times you'll have with your Bronco buddies.
As some of you are aware, due to the recent storms the US Forest Service has issued temporary closures on many of the trails we usually use during Big Bear Bronco Bash. You can read the official closure order HERE. Note that "Mountain Top Ranger District" which says "Any Forest Road" includes all of Big Bear and Holcomb Valleys, while the Front Range Ranger District calls out specific trail closures which include all of the trails we usually run in the Santa Ana River Gorge area and many of them in the Lake Arrowhead area. These closures are set to expire on June 30th, which places Big Bear Bronco Bash within the closure dates.
We are monitoring the situation closely, making contacts and exploring ways we can either help to get these dates moved forward or grant special permissions to our group. Please do not inquire to the Forest Service on behalf of So Cal Broncos on your own. So Cal Broncos and our members have a long history with the Forest Service and the trail system. We are the Adopt-A-Trail club for Little John Bull and Burnt Flats. We have members with relationships within the Forest Service who are already looking into this. Our group includes folks with a wealth of forest experience, trail maintenance and stewardship. We stand ready to assist with trail evaluation, clearing, repairs, etc., if needed. If the opportunity comes up for volunteer crews to pitch in to get these trails opened earlier, we will of course put out the call and welcome everyone who can lend a hand.
But the bottom line here is that Big Bear Bronco Bash will go on, regardless of what happens with these trails. The worst case scenario is that all of these trails will still be closed during BBBBXXI, and that we won't be able to access them even with any sort of special permission. If that is the case, we'll simply set our sights on trails that are farther out, which aren't subject to the closures. Mostly that will mean a trip down the hill for trail runs. The Cougar Buttes, Johnson Valley, Lucerne Valley, Rattlesnake Canyon areas aren't that far away. We had already planned on adding a run or two down the hill, including a trek to Bronco Knoll. So we'll just have to expand on that strategy.
More likely is that some of the trails will open early and we'll have access to at least some of them. Reports are that some of the trails included in the blanket closure order aren't under very much snow and are in good shape, and will be in their normal shape by May or early June. So we anticipate still having access to some, maybe most, hopefully all, of the affected trails. But if we don't, we'll adapt and overcome.
If you were looking forward to Big Bear Bronco Bash but are concerned about these closures, my advice is to continue to plan to be there. While I can't guarantee that any of the closed trails will be back open by then, I can guarantee that you'll still have a great time. You may have to drive a bit further for the trail rides, but everything else that makes Big Bear Bronco Bash special will still be there: The people, the brotherhood, the food, the party, the Damn Good Times you'll have with your Bronco buddies.
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Thanks all for rolling with the punches with us.
