Big Bear Today Magazine May 2022

Page 4—May 2022
Flowers to grizzlies, see it on PCT
Pacific Crest Trail’s motto has long
been “Find Yourself on the PCT” but
really it should be “See it All.” And
we’re not even referring to the 57 major
mountain passes it crosses through three
states and touching as many countries, five
national monuments, another five state
parks, or six national parks.
We’re just talking about Big Bear and
the 39 miles of PCT that passes through
the Valley. Hikers wander through historic
Holcomb Valley, site of Southern
California’s largest gold rush, past wildflowers
that grow here and nowhere else
in the world, near the Serrano Indian sacred
site “Eye of God” and so much more.
The nation’s premier long distance
trail, which runs 2,638 miles from the
Mexican to Canadian borders, also serves
up spectacular views of 11,502 ft. Mt. San
Gorgonio, Big Bear Lake and the High
Desert. Plus the nearby Bighorn Mountain
Wilderness and a lesser-known Southland
aspen grove, Arrastre Creek. Along the
way there’s trail camps like Deer Springs,
Tanglewood, Holcomb Crossing and Little
Bear Springs, places to pitch a tent or take
a pause.
And let’s not forget grizzlies and African
lions. At one time Big Bear Valley
was teeming with grizzlies, but there’s
never been African lions till Randy Miller,
renowned for his work with exotic animals
in photo shoots and movie productions,
founded Predators in Action
The facility is a short distance from
the PCT about two miles south of Onyx
Summit and while it’s closed to the public,
hikers can’t help but notice they’re
being watched by predators as they go by.
Miller was a stunt double working with lions
on the movie “Gladiator” and has been
profiled in many newspaper stories.
There’s so much to see along PCT in
Big Bear, gurgling creeks to lush green
meadow, even Pebble Plain, terrain found
only in Big Bear where inch-high wildflowers
endemic to these mountains grow.
PCT is also popular with equestrians, and
Baldwin Lake Stables leads guided horseback
rides along the trail.
Walk the whole route and go through
terrain that ranges from fiery desert to dripping
wet rain forest. PCT winds into 24
federal forests and 33 designated wilderness
areas—including skirting nearby San
Gorgonio Wilderness. It passes a thousand
lakes and tarns and descends into 19 distinct
canyons, traversing some of
America’s most majestic mountain ranges
including the Sierra Nevada and Cascades.
At this time of year Big Bear welcomes
a lot of trekkers going the whole
way. Thru-hikers typically start at the
Mexican border in April and after a couple
hundred miles arrive in Big Bear, often in
need of gear, food or soft bed for a night.
You don’t have to walk all the way to
have a good time on the PCT, as several
local sections make great family day hikes,
no permit needed. Most are basically level
with only a few killer climbs, suitable for
all ability levels. Just be careful: you might
have so much fun it’s hard to turn back!
Big Bear Today
Views for miles, wildflowers up close on Pacific Crest Trail
The PCT enters Big
Bear Valley at the top of
Onyx Summit immediately
east of Hwy. 38, and
there’s a big turnout for
parking. Catch the trail up
the hill about 100 yards
east of where you park,
then head either north or
south on the path. Go
south (toward Mexico)
and you’ll start a gradual
descent as beautiful views
of the San Gorgonio Wilderness
and its snowcapped
namesake peak
unfold. Head north and
there’s a panoramic view spot with vistas
stretching 180-degrees a mile-plus in.
Another good place for a PCT day
hike can be found on Hwy. 18 at
Cushenbury Grade, as the road descends
to Lucerne Valley. Park on the east side
and catch the trail going either direction
as it crosses the highway. North is especially
dramatic, with crest views of the
desert and good wind and sun protection.
Walk a couple miles and you’ll come to
Holcomb Valley Rd.. Unfortunately hikers
have to reroute up the adjacent fire road
here since PCT remains closed after the
2017 Holcomb Fire.
South on the trail from Cushenbury
meanwhile leads past Shadow Ranch, and
along the way serves up more great views
of the Mojave Desert, Baldwin Lake and
Bighorn Wilderness (The photo below as
well as the front cover were both shot in
this section.) The walking starts with a
climb, descends and continues two miles
where it meets up with the access hike to
the quartz rock formation known as “Eye
of God,” sacred to the Serrano Indians.
For less convenient parking but more
adventurous hiking, drive out to Holcomb
Valley on Van Dusen Canyon Rd. off North
Shore Dr. The PCT intersects the dirt road
about 2.4 miles in; find a place to park and
check out the great hiking in either direction.
South climbs up the ridge immediately
to the east and can be quite a hump.
North also dishes up some uphill, and
after a few miles the PCT connects with
Cougar Crest trail. Get someone to drop
you off on Van Dusen and you can hike
the PCT to Cougar Crest connection and
descend two miles to the trailhead.
East valley vistas along PCT are as good as they get, as these thru-hikers notice