Good hiking boots and socks; 1-4 quarts of water; rain jacket/windbreaker; hat, gloves, sunscreen, etc. depending on the season. Hiking poles are recommended to improve upper body strengthening and improve personal stability. Snacks or a lunch are optional depending on the length of the hike. Please no pets.
The National Forest Adventure Pass [ NFAP ] may be required. NFAP - May be purchased at the US Forest Service Visitors Center on Highway 18 in Sky forest and at the following locations: Crestline: 7-11on Lake Drive; Twin Peaks: Pine Rose Cabins; Lake Arrowhead: Lake Arrowhead Resort, Chamber of Commerce, 7-11, Coldwell Banker Skyridge Realty, Agua Fria: Above and Beyond Sports; Cedar Glen: Trading Post; Running Springs: Chamber of Commerce, Ito Ski and Rental; Arrowbear: Deer Lick Lumber.

Call the hike leader to register and find out the meeting place and other instructions. The hike leaders set the number of hikers and what they will need to carry. Trips can be booked with the hike leader starting a week in advance up to 8pm of the day before. As a courtesy we ask that you cancel by the morning of the hike with the leader if you can not attend. To ensure your place on the hike, please call early.

Some of our hikes will require carpooling so we ask that a donation be made by each hiker to the driver of $1 per 20 miles for gas, cleaning, etc.

Trails Foundation Honored By Hiking Club

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MOUNTAIN TOP HIKING CLUB

MAY 2013 HIKING SCHEDULE

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

CASTLE ROCK AND SIBERIA CREEK TRAILS – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9:00 am, moderate/strenuous, 8 miles, approx. 1,200 ft. elevation gain.
On route we will pass Castle Rock, Bluff Lake and the Champion Lodgepole Pine. We will meet at the east parking lot of the Performing Arts Center in Big Bear Lake and carpool to the trailhead. Adventure passes are required at the trailhead. Bring sturdy boots, water, comfortable clothing and lunch. Leader Dick Banks (909) 866-9232

Saturday, April 27, 2013

SANTA ANA RIVER BOTTOM BIRD WALK – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8:00 am, easy. Meet at the Sierra Club office, 4079 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. Bill will guide you to the birds. Breakfast at local restaurant after walk (optional). Leader Bill Engs 909-338-1910.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Monday Meanders – Big Bear Lake area
9:00 am, Big Bear Convention Center, parking lot at the north end (corner of Big Bear Blvd and Division). Weather permitting the group will collectively select an easy to moderate hike typically lasting 2 hours, covering 4 miles with moderate elevation gain. Bring water, snacks, layered clothing, and good hiking boots. National Forest Adventure Pass maybe required. Any questions contact Janet (909) 585-8511, janetinbb@yahoo.com or Dick Banks 909 866-9232, rlbancos@yahoo.com

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Sawtooth Mountain Trail – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:30 am, moderate,/strenuous, 10.5 miles, 900 ft. elevation gain.
The Sawtooth Mountain Trail can be found within the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve managed by The Wildlands Conservancy. The Conservancy is providing a tour guide, Tom Cain who is very familiar with the old Rim of the World horse trail. This is a unique opportunity that has not been previously available to the public. The woodlands contains Pinion pine, Joshua trees, Goldenbush, Mojave yucca, and a generous offering of other plant species are to be seen along with big horn sheep, mule deer, rabbits, coyote, and other animals. This is a 10.5 mile hike taking 5.5 hours to complete. Take I-10 to Hwy 62 turn north towards Joshua Tree National Park. After 19 miles, in the town of Yucca Valley, turn left at Pioneertown Road. After 5-6 miles at the Pipes Canyon Road intersection (marked by a Pioneertown Mountains Preserve sign), drive west for 0.6 miles veer right at the next sign for Pioneertown Mountains Preserve, continue driving 0.4 miles to the entrance gate and parking area. Bring the Ten-essentials, layered clothing, three-liters of water, lunch, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. Reservations call Ed Caliendo, Hiking Leader (760-328-1090) or dogs111@msn.com

Friday, May 3, 2013

Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
10 a.m., easy (almost level), 2mi. We will stroll the old sewage treatment plant road and look for early wildflowers. There are some good views north to the Pinnacles and the desert. Bring water. No Adventure Pass required. Register with Jackie or Jim at (909) 867-4465.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

ROCK CAMP ECOLOGY WALK – Lake Arrowhead area – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
9:00am, easy. In our local mountains we will learn about forest and stream side ecosystems. We will be doing a short and casual hike, a little elevation gain, with frequent discussion stops. Interpreter and guide Dave Ficke, 909-336-4706. Wear boots, sun hats and bring snacks, water, extra clothing. National Forest Adventure Pass required for parking. Meet at the Rock Camp parking area, Highway 173, north of Lake Arrowhead. Hike leader Bill Engs, 909-338-1910.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

SILVERWOOD LAKE TO I-15 CAJON PASS – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:15am, strenuous, 14 miles thru hike.
This is Hike #1 of the Pacific Crest Trail, Section C Recognition Program. Those hikers completing all nine segments will receive a special recognition patch. Contact hike leader for meeting place and additional information. National Forest Adventure Pass will be required for parking at the trailhead. Hike Leader Jim Seifert (760) 694-5370 or email ironmany2k@hotmail.com

Monday, May 6, 2013

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

EXPLORATION TRAIL ROUND TRIP – Running Springs area – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9:00am, moderate/ difficult, 5-hour, 9-miles, about 1200’ of elevation gain. We will meet in the Visitor Center parking lot and carpool to the nearby trailhead. Those coming from the Big Bear Lake area will meet at 8:30 in the east parking lot of the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center for carpool to the Visitor Center. National Forest Adventure passes are required at the trailhead. Bring sturdy boots, plenty of water, appropriate clothes and lunch. Leader Dick Banks, (909) 866-9232

Saturday - Sunday, May 11 -12, 2013

SOUTHERN SIERRA CAR CAMP/HIKE – Mojave Group
Come join other hikers for a two day car camp and hike to Owens Peak in the Southern Sierra near Lake Isabella in Kern County. For more info and meeting place and time contact Terrence McCorkle at 760-252-2194 or 760-412-1683 and oldhikerdude@verizon.net

Saturday, May 11, 2013

BERTHA PEAK VIA COUGAR CREST TRAIL – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:00am, moderate/difficult, 6-7 miles, 1400-foot elevation gain.
This is a “Peaks” of Big Bear hike. Those achieving all five peaks overlooking the Big Bear Valley will be given a commemorative patch. Bring at least 2-quarts of water, appropriate clothing, snacks and sturdy hiking boots. We will meet at the Cougar Crest Trailhead (1/2 mile west of the Discovery center) on highway 38 at 8:00 AM. Call Ed Wallace for more information and to register at 909 -584- 9407 or email ednjeanne@charter.net

Saturday, May 11, 2013

LAKE GREGORY SPRING BIRD WALK- Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8:00am, easy. Meet at the North Shore Parking Lot, across from Goodwin’s. See new spring arrivals and year 'round residents as we walk around the lake. Optional breakfast afterward. Leader Bill Engs, 909-338-1910, billengs@yahoo.com

Monday, May 13, 2013

Friday, May 17, 2013

Janet’s Trail / South Fork, Jenks Lake – Hwy. 38 – MTHC
8:30am, easy/moderate, approx. 5 miles, slight elevation gain.
South Fork of the Santa Ana River and Jenks Lake Trail (below Big Bear off Hwy 38). Trail follows one of the most beautiful mountain streams in the area. Bring water, snacks, lunch, hat, sunscreen, layered clothing and hiking boots. We will eat lunch at the picnic area at Jenks Lake. National forest Adventure Pass required for parking. Register with hike leader Janet at janetinbb@yahoo.com or (909) 585-8511

Saturday, May 18, 2013

MT. BADEN POWELL – Wrightwood area – Sierra Club, Mojave Group
8:00am, moderate/strenuous, 8-9 miles, significant elevation gain.
Hike in the beautiful San Gabriel Mtns. near Wrightwood. Bring sturdy boots, 4 quarts of water and lunch/snacks. Contact Terrence McCorkle at 760-252-2194 or 760-412-1683 and oldhikerdude@verizon.net for more info and meeting place.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

LITTLE BEAR CREEK HERE AND NOW, Lake Arrowhead area –Sierra Club, Mtns Group
9:00am, moderate, 5 miles, 600 ft. elevation gain.
We will focus on what is around us at the moment; sights and sounds of the forest, and our reactions to them. While on the trail, by talking about only what we see, hear and experience, we should be able to better appreciate what is out there. We will hike the North Shore Trail to Little Bear Creek. Wear hat and boots. Bring water, snacks and lunch. Call Leader Bill Engs 909-338-1910 , billengs@yahooo.com for meeting place. National Forest Adventure Pass required.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

SANTA ANA RIVER TRAIL LOOP – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9:00am, moderate/difficult, 10 miles, 5 hours, 1,000 ft. elevation gain.
We will hike north on the Santa Ana River Trail along a ridge to Heart Bar Road and return via the “Meadow Trail”. We will meet at Von’s parking lot in Big Bear Lake and carpool to the trailhead. For those coming from the Redlands area, meet us at 9:40 AM in the South Fork parking lot on Hwy 38 between the Santa Ana and South Fork Rivers. Drivers must display Adventure Passes. Bring sturdy boots, plenty of water, appropriate clothing, sun protection and lunch. Leader Dick Banks, (909) 866-9232

Saturday, May 25, 2013

SILVERWOOD LAKE TO MOJAVE RIVER DAM – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:00am, strenuous, 15 miles thru hike.
This is Hike #2 of the Pacific Crest Trail, Section C Recognition Program. Those hikers completing all nine segments will receive a special recognition patch. Meet Silverwood Lake campgrounds are near the Lake entrance. Bring ten essentials, layered clothing, and sun protection, three-liters of water, lunch, sunglasses, hat and good hiking shoes. National Forest Adventure Pass will be required to park at the trailhead. Call for reservations Ed Wallace, Hiking Leader at (909) 584-9407

Saturday, May 25, 2013

FLOWER WALK – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
9:00am, easy. Join us to see plants blooming in the mountains. Bring water and snack. Call Barbara Levering, Interpreter and guide, 909-338-1253, for meeting place. Hike leader Bill Engs 909-338-1910. National Forest Adventure Pass may be required.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Dollar Lake Saddle in the San Gorgonio Wilderness – Sierra Club, Chapter Group
7:00am, strenuous, 17 miles, 3,100 ft. elevation gain.
Pass by Poop Out Hill, South Fork Meadows, and Dollar Lake. Spectacular views along the trail and the opportunity to see wildflowers. Contact Sondra for carpooling and meeting time(s) and place(s). Bring hiking boots/shoes, layered clothing, hiking poles (recommended, not required), hat, sunglasses, lunch, snacks, 3-4 liters of water, and the 10 essentials. Leader Sondra Morison, skbrian@earthlink.net

Thursday, May 30, 2013

STRAWBERRY PEAK MEANDER --   Sierra Club, Mountains Group
9:00am, easy, 1.5 miles.
Views (a Royal Rendezvous) through the beautiful forest land recently acquired by the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust. For nearly 10 years, this natural area between Highways 189 and 18 below Strawberry Peak was threatened by an ill-conceived proposal for an oversized, environmentally-destructive Adventure Camp development. However, the Sierra Club and other allied conservation-minded groups and individuals were determined to save the area from development. Fortunately, their long fight was ultimately successful and provided the SBMLT the opportunity to step in and purchase the land as part of their ongoing commitment to local forest preservation. Today we will celebrate this success as we explore and learn about this valuable parcel. Bring water and snack. Meet across from Pinecrest Camp on SR 189. Contact leader Steven Farrell, 661-449-2867 or   mr_sqf@yahoo.com

Friday, May 31, 2013

Walk Around Lake Arrowhead -- Mountain Top Hiking Club

8am, moderate, 8.2 miles, small elevation gain but many, many uneven steps.
We will walk all the way around Lake Arrowhead, some on the dirt trail and some on paved roads. Bring water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, layered clothing and money for lunch in Lake Arrowhead Village before we finish the loop. Register with hike leader Mary (909) 337-5850

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Forest Festival Children’s Forest Visitor’s Center, Hwy 18, Running Springs
10am to 3pm
Sponsored by the US Forest Service and the Southern California Mountains Foundation celebrating the San Bernardino National Forest. Learn about local non-profit, service agencies, networks, groups, and organization. And all the wonderful things the forest has to offer and how we preserve, protect and enjoy our mountain environment. Arts and crafts, music, and hiking at the nearby Children’s Forest Exploration Trail. Parking at the adjacent Brulte ballfield.
For information call Dave Barrie (909) 337-0313 or barriemail@mac.com

Saturday, June 1, 2013

DEEP CREEK TO MOJAVE RIVER FORKS DAM – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
7:30 am, strenuous, 16 miles thru hike.
This is Hike #3 of the Pacific Crest Trail, Section C Recognition Program. Those hikers completing all nine segments will receive a special recognition patch. Hiker shuttling will be required. After 11 miles of hiking, we will have a significant rest period at Hot Springs where the spring water is warm and the river water is cool. So, bring your bathing suit. Meet Mojave River Forks Reservoir Dam at 7:30 a.m. Bring ten essentials, layered clothing, sun protection, 3-liters of water, food, sunglasses, hat and trekking poles. An Adventure Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Call for reservations Ed Caliendo, Hiking Leader at (909) 878-3813

June 23 - June 28, 2013

Catalina Island
Have you ever thought of hiking on Catalina Island? Beautiful secluded beaches, pine forests, bison, unique plants and hilly terrain await you. This 6-day, 5-night trip will cover the Trans-Catalina Trail. Join experienced leaders as we hike between 45-65 miles (there are several days in which you may elect a shorter hike or no hike at all). This trip includes roundtrip ferry transportation, a private tour of the USC affiliated Wrigely Marine Science Center and hyperbaric chamber in Two Harbors, kayaking in Little Harbor, nightly campfires, a campfire program given by the Catalina Island Conservancy, and other wonderful discoveries. One of the best parts of the trip is that your gear is hauled from camp-to-camp for you. This is something you will really appreciate as we climb those Catalina hills. For the peakbaggers, you will have the opportunity to bag the three highest peaks on the island (optional). Afternoon appetizers are provided as well as the celebratory dinner on the last night. One of the leaders, Sondra Morison, is knowledgable in the history of the island, and the other leader, Robin Kirk, is a knowledagble botanist.

This trip is sponsored by Coastwalk, a non-profit organization that is responsible for the planning and development of the California Coastal Trail (this trail runs from the Oregon to Mexico borders). The Coastwalk website is http://www.coastwalk.org/.

Space is limited. Should you have any questions, or are interested in this trip, please contact Sondra Morison at skbrian@earthlink.net.

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Sierra Club, Big Bear Group PCT

Challenge Recognition Program

Each calendar year the Big Bear Group awards special recognition badges for accomplishing special hiking achievements. A new program for 2011 programs is described below.

Hike Section C of the Pacific Crest Trail: Hike the historic Section C (between San Bernardino, Interstate 10 to Interstate 15 near Cajon Pass) Pacific Crest Trail during the summer of 2011 and/or 2012 and receive a special achievement patch and recognition in the Palms to Pines bi-monthly newspaper.

Background: The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) designated for hikers to travel from the Mexico border to the Canadian border covers a total of 2,638 scenic miles. Section C of the PCT travels through the San Gorgonio wilderness and the Big Bear area for a total of 132.9 miles.

Challenge Description: The hiking challenge is separated into eleven (11) segments, culminating in a three-day backpacking trip. The hiking segments can be accomplished over the years 2011 and 2012. In other words, a hiker may choose to complete all segments over a two-year period.

Enthusiastic hikers may contact Hiking Leader, Ed Caliendo, at (909) 878-3813 or contact either co-leader Ed Wallace at (909) 584-9407 or co-leader Vicki Hobbs (909) 771-9899 for additional information. The hiking schedule will be confirmed by-monthly and published in the Palms to Pine publication and on the Sierra Club website. The 2011 tentative hiking schedule is provided below.

Hike#1: May 14, 2011 –Silverwood Lake Area entrance road to Interstate 15 near Cajon Pass – This is a 13.1 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike#2: May 21, 2011 –Silverwood Lake Area entrance road to 2N33 near Cedar Springs Dam – This is a 6.0 PCT through-hike.

Hike#3: June 4, 2011 –Cedar Springs Dam to Mojave River Forks Reservoir Dam – This is an 11.1 PCT through-hike.

Hike#4: June 11, 2011 –Deep Creek Bridge (near Lake Arrowhead) to Mojave River Forks Reservoir Dam – This is a 14.4 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike#5: June 25, 2011 – Little Bear Springs Trail Camp to Deep Creek Bridge/Lake Arrowhead – This is a 12.8 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike#6: July 2, 2011 – Van Dusen Canyon Road to Little Bear Springs Trail Camp, northwest of Fawnskin, CA – This is a 10.7 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike# 7: July 16, 2011 – Van Dusen Canyon Road, near Big Bear City to Hwy 18 Cushenberry Pass near Baldwin Lake – This is an 8.9 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike# 8: July 30, 2011 – 2N01 to Hwy 18 Baldwin Lake Cushenberry Pass – This is a 10.5 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike# 9: August 13, 2011 – 2N02 to Cienaga Seca Creek turn-off on Hwy 38 – This is a 7.0 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike# 10: September 10, 2011 – Cienaga Seca Creek turn-off to Mission Creek Trail Camp- Day Hike – Southeast of Big Bear, located on Hwy 38. This is approximately an 8.9 mile PCT through-hike.

Hike#11: October 21, 2011 to October 23, 2011 – This is the final leg of our PCT Section C journey, a three-day backpacking adventure from Mission Creek Trail Camp to Interstate 10 near Whitewater River Canyon Preserve. This last leg of the journey is a 29.5 mile PCT through-hike. This completes the 132.9 mile PCT Challenge.

July 2010

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL-WHITEWATER TO CAJON PASS

The following is a breakdown of hikes that we will be offering along our section of the PCT.
We have broken the trial into 16 segments that can be comfortably hiked in a day.
They vary from easy to very strenuous.
Please look for the segments in the regular hiking schedule.
Some will be offered more than once over the course of the year.
Most of the PCT hikes are shuttle trips. We need to
know the number of people planning to attend shuttle
hikes so we can arrange to have the proper number of
cars at either end of the trail.
So please register with the hike leader two days
before the day of a shuttle hike.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL-WHITEWATER TO CAJON PASS

0. Whitewater

1. Mission Creek Trail Camp – 14.0miles, Very strenuous

2. Coon Creek Jump Off – 6.6 miles, moderate

3. Onyx Summit – 5.7 miles, moderate

4. 2N02 – 9.4 miles, strenuous

5. Dump RD. 3N08 – 6.2 miles, moderate

6. Van Dusen Road 3N09 – 6.9 miles, moderate

7. 3N12 – 6.3 miles, moderate

8. Little Bear Springs – 4.4 miles, easy

9. Crab Flats Road – 6.5 miles, moderate

10. Deep Creek Bridge – 6.0 miles, moderate

11. Devils Hole – 5.0 miles round trip, easy

12. Mojave River Dam – 13.0 miles, Very strenuous

13. Cedar Springs Dam – 9.4 miles, strenuous

14. Silverwood Entrance – 6.0 miles, moderate

15. Silverwood Lake to Elliot Road – 9 miles, strenuous

16. Crowder Canyon (Elliot Road to Cajon Pass) – 4.5 miles, moderate

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Easy

0 to 500 foot elevation gain, approx. 3 miles

Moderate

500 to 1000 foot elevation gain, approx. 7 miles

Moderate/Strenuous

1000 to 1800 ft. elevation gain, approx. 8-12 mi.

Trails Foundation Honored By Hiking Club