REQUIREMENTS (schedule below)
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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#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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