Good intermediate trails near Big Bear.

[Klane]

Hi everyone I'm looking for some recommendations on trails in Big Bear.

I'm going camping at Big Bear Lake with my two boys. We are looking to do some off-roading in the new Bronco but are not experienced off roaders.. However we did go to the Bronco Off Rodeo and have done some mild trails already. I'm looking for something fun with great views and intermediate in difficulty.

We will most likely be going solo so I don't want to get us into too much trouble.

I have WildTrak with with "real" rock rails and and an air compressor.

 

[BadSquatch]

Ok, let me preface this by saying that I always recommend the buddy system, even for intermediate trails since you can get stuck on those if you pick the wrong line. Fortunately Big Bear is busy enough that you have a good chance of someone coming along to help.

The trail list from Big Bear Bronco Bash has a list of trails that might be helpful. https://socalbroncos.net/bbbb/

 

[Klane]

Ok, let me preface this by saying that I always recommend the buddy system, even for intermediate trails since you can get stuck on those if you pick the wrong line. Fortunately Big Bear is busy enough that you have a good chance of someone coming along to help.

The trail list from Big Bear Bronco Bash has a list of trails that might be helpful. https://socalbroncos.net/bbbb/

thanks for the link to these resources, cheers... KL

 

[Dusty]

The best trail I can think of that ticks your boxes would be Gold Mountain. Great views, hard enough to keep your attention, but not quite in that highest tier of difficulty for Big Bear. If you're running it alone, I would suggest doing it in the north-to-south direction, which is a bit easier because you're coming down the toughest obstacles rather than going up them. Plus the best views will be in your windshield rather than your rear view as you're coming down.

 

[Klane]

Thanks Dusty, that sounds good. My son isn't a good spotter yet, do you think I can run it without that help?

 

[Dusty]

Thanks Dusty, that sounds good. My son isn't a good spotter yet, do you think I can run it without that help?

I think you'll be fine. And running Gold Mountain in that direction (north to south) would be a great opportunity for your son to learn about spotting, because the chances of getting hung up by incorrect spotting are much less. When you run it in the other direction (south to north) the spotting can be critical, in a couple of spots.

 

[Klane]

I think you'll be fine. And running Gold Mountain in that direction (north to south) would be a great opportunity for your son to learn about spotting, because the chances of getting hung up by incorrect spotting are much less. When you run it in the other direction (south to north) the spotting can be critical, in a couple of spots.

Thanks aga8n for your help. We will be doing it on Tues

 

[KD6TAV]

Thanks aga8n for your help. We will be doing it on Tues

Wish i could join you but that a day of various meetings hard to miss. Enjoy and be safe.

 

[ShelbyHall]

Hey there, awesome you went to Off Roadeo! Which location? I have been a special guest guide at the Austin location a few times! When do you plan on going up to Big Bear? I agree with Dusty. I have done Gold Mountain in my 2 Door Wildtrak (but South to North - climbing), and it’s a BLAST!

 

[Dusty]

Hey there, awesome you went to Off Roadeo! Which location? I have been a special guest guide at the Austin location a few times! When do you plan on going up to Big Bear? I agree with Dusty. I have done Gold Mountain in my 2 Door Wildtrak (but South to North - climbing), and it’s a BLAST!

@ShelbyHall you've also done it in a Raptor Bronco. That's almost like cheating

 

[Klane]

Hey there, awesome you went to Off Roadeo! Which location? I have been a special guest guide at the Austin location a few times! When do you plan on going up to Big Bear? I agree with Dusty. I have done Gold Mountain in my 2 Door Wildtrak (but South to North - climbing), and it’s a BLAST!

Hi Shelby, sorry I missed this, I never got an alert - I will have to look into that.

I did the Off-Rodeo in Los Vegas and it was great. I learned a ton... but I'm still a novice.

I'm going to respond to Dusty by thanking him for the recommendation. I was able to link up with another enthusiast who showed me the ropes on the Gold Mountain trail. I did it going down as was recommended. I also have to admit that the only part I skipped was the first ledge on the first waterfall - it was pretty intimidating.

I would love to hit the trails again soon with a group from this forum.

BTW, how did you become a special guest guide, I'm assuming you have a reputation

Thanks for your encouragement.

Cheers,

Kier

 

[Klane]

Wish i could join you but that a day of various meetings hard to miss. Enjoy and be safe.

Hey Eddy, I'm just catching up hear. Hopefully, we will have a chance to do a run soon - thanks for responding. I ended up having a great time on the run.

 

[Klane]

I think you'll be fine. And running Gold Mountain in that direction (north to south) would be a great opportunity for your son to learn about spotting, because the chances of getting hung up by incorrect spotting are much less. When you run it in the other direction (south to north) the spotting can be critical, in a couple of spots.

Hey Dusty, I took your advice and it was great. I luckily met up with another party and we did it together so he gove me the extra set of eyes when needed. Plus, the Bronco give us a few additional "digital eyes" that really help as well.

In all transparency, I didn't do the last shelf on the first waterfall - It looked a bit crazy and even the guys I was with skipped it. Maybe sometime you can show me the ropes on that one.

Thanks again for the recommendation

Cheers,

Kier