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2009 Trip Report - San Bernardino Mountains

05 February 2014 | 2009 Trips

 

San Bernardino Mountains Trip

July 31, August 1, August 2, 2009

by Ted Kalil

Bob and Betty Oliver arrived at Heart Bar Campground at about the same time as I did on Friday afternoon and picked out our campsites from the many available “walk-up” sites.  We each had some separate things to do in Big Bear first and then came back to our sites for conversation and dinner. Bob Jacoby had called and said he wasn’t feeling well so wouldn’t be coming, and Marian Johns said they had brake problems with both trucks and their coming would depend on getting new shoes. At around the meet-up time on Saturday morning, Nan Savage called to say she was on her way but had gone astray a bit. Bob Oliver had a problem with his CB; I loaned him a hand held unit but we were later to find that it also had a problem.

When Nan arrived, the two of us headed to Onyx Summit. Bob and Betty were close by and I radioed that we were on our way as we passed them. Unfortunately, he didn’t hear me or see us. When Nan and I got to Onyx Summit and met Greg Hoffman, the forest ranger, and his wife, Kelly, Bob hadn’t shown. We aired down and thought he’d be along any minute. After a while, I went back to where he had been parked along the highway and found him gone. I figured he had somehow passed us up. No cell service then, and the radio wasn’t good. We waited a while longer and then started out on 1N01 where we could get reception. I called Bob; no answer, left a message. A short while later, he called me and said they were on their way home, having missed us. When he didn’t see me, he turned around and went towards Barton Flats, then back to the campground. He left off my radio and a note, he said, and although I said we’d wait for him along the trail, he said they would continue on home. Sorry, Bob and Betty, I owe you one.

So we continued on and first went to the communications site on top, which had some great views of the areas below and beyond. Then back on 1N01, the Pipes Canyon Trail. This was one of the roads from the Big Bear area to Pioneertown before it was closed off at the bottom by private interests. The trail is rated moderate; it starts out easily enough but becomes more challenging as you go down. Greg pointed out many things to us on the CB as we were traveling and also when we stopped. This continued the whole trip. He was born and raised in Big Bear, has worked here all his life, and has an encyclopedic memory. (My memory is also like a book, but it’s a loose leaf with many pages missing and the rest in disarray.) On every trip I’ve gone on with Greg, and there have been many, I always learn things. I don’t always remember them, so it’s good to hear them again. From the top of the trail and on many sections going down, there were terrific views of the desert below and we could see places where the Sawtooth Fire had destroyed so much. Near the bottom, there’s an abandoned house that we stopped to check out and had lunch under a shade tree. There was a former onyx mining site close by and we saw where an ore tram had been. I’m thinking the original prospector was probably looking for gold but had an onyxpected find. (Note: for those who think puns are the lowest form of humor, it’s probably because their minds are far too orderly.)

Continuing, we went to where a campsite had been partially restored by an Adopt A Trail club, the Freelanders, and then on to where the trail was blocked by a gate and heavy iron rail fencing. The other side is owned by the Wildland Conservancy. The Forest Service has tried several times to trade them for other land so the road could be reopened, but negotiations have thus far fallen through

Back up the trail the same way we came, no other option. We had already encountered a group of the Freelanders who were doing some trail maintenance work. We again met up with them at the top before continuing to Onyx Summit. By then it was late afternoon; Nan and I decided to get gas in Big Bear City before heading back to the campground. Afterwards, we had our two person potluck, still great, before retiring a bit early since we were both tired.

Sunday, Jean and Sunny Hansen came to the campsite but had to tell us that they were both victims of food poisoning from Saturday night. They weren’t yet well enough to go on the run. Jean and Malcolm Roode did come, though, and were in good health. We started by going down the highway a few miles to the start of 1N45, the Santa Ana River Trail. This took us to Converse Station where 2N06, the Radford Truck Trail starts, and up we went. It climbs all the way from the Seven Oaks area to the top of the mountain, where it meets up with 2N10, the Skyline Drive and Grandview Loop. As you go along, sometimes you’re looking down on the valley we came up and other times at Big Bear Lake. It was another beautiful day and temperatures were moderate because of the elevation. The views were good, though there was some haze preventing really long distance observation.

Since we were doing well on time, we took a side trip to Lodgepole Pine. It’s located at a fifteen minute walk from where we parked, along an interpretive trail that gave various bits of information. Nan read to us from the brochure as we went along. The trees get their name from the fact that saplings were often used as support poles for native American lodges because they grow very straight and have few limbs. And here I thought it was named after a fraternal organization for Polish people. The memorialized tree itself may not have seemed that impressive, but is one of the largest in the country and the world. Back to our parking spot where we had lunch in a nice tree shaded area again.

From there we traveled to 1N54, Clark’s Grade, rated easy, and on down the mountain. There were many outstanding views along the way and a few other people and vehicles on the trail. This was the original road to Big Bear in the 20’s and 30’s. It’s hard to imagine how those vintage cars and trucks managed to negotiate this trail with all their shortcomings, and four wheel drive was practically non-existent. The road fell into disuse when new highways were constructed and eventually became impassable. It was more recently restored and maintained by the San Bernardino National Forest Association volunteers. We hit pavement near Seven Oaks by mid-afternoon and headed back: Nan and the Roodes took the low road to their homes and I took the high road to mine.  Another great day in the forest. While attendance was low, those who came seemed to enjoy the trails; I’m happy if even one other person shows.

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2011 Trip Report - San Bernardino Mountains

05 February 2014 | 2011 Trips

San Bernardino Mountains 2011

By Ted Kalil

It was a dark and stormy night. Well, we did  have that on Saturday night, but we first met up Friday afternoon just before it  started raining. The forecast was for 20% chance of rain, but this was at least  100%. However, although intense for a while, it stopped in about an hour. We had  reserved the Green Spot Equestrian Group Campground just off 2N93, and this  proved to be great: plenty of parking for everyone, double header toilets if you  don’t mind sharing (potty with a pal), and fire rings. Plus, it was all our own;  no access by anyone else.

Showing up were Glenn Shaw; Jim Proffitt; Mal and Jean  Roode; Terry Ogden; Willie and Faye Kalajian; Mike and Donna Mumford, guests of  the Kalajians; Neal and Marian Johns; Leonard, Rebecca, and Hannah Friedman;  Marten and Jeanne DeGroot; Jay Lawrence; and me. Mignon Slentz was slated to  come but had car difficulties. Friday night a few went  into town for dinner and the rest stayed in camp.

Saturday morning we were joined by Allan Wicker; Bob  Peltzman; and Bob Jacoby with friend Richard. This was a large turnout: 13  vehicles and 22 people! After a brief tailgate meeting at which everyone  indicated they wouldn’t mind going on a Moderate trail (probably not fully  understanding what that meant) we drove down on the highway to the bottom of the  Jacoby Canyon trail, 3N61, where some aired down. Though Bob Jacoby was gracious  about using his canyon, it was questioned as to whether it’s really his. This  was possibly compounded by the fact I related that its name had possibly been  corrupted from the original Chincopee Canyon. We proceeded up the trail, pretty  rocky at first. Everyone made it through just fine and we continued on. Jacoby  Canyon was the site of some gold mining and some claims still exist, though no  evidence of working the claims is currently present. It’s a beautiful canyon;  lots of trees of various types, and lots of other vegetation, with some shady  areas suitable for picnics. In one section it goes through a rocky stream bed  that was once quite difficult because of boulders, but is no longer so.

At the top, we intersected with 3N16, the Holcomb  Valley Trail, then went a short distance to the Lucky Baldwin mine site. There  are large timbers remaining from the shaft structure and a terrific view of  Baldwin Lake and the surrounding area. Proceeding on, we passed 3N02, the  entrance trail to 3N10, the John Bull trail, rated most difficult. We didn’t go  there! A bit further we came to the Holcomb Valley Campground, where some took  advantage of the facilities. The valley and the creek were named after Grizzly  Bill Holcomb, a hunter and miner who first discovered gold there. In fact, there  are still 2,000 open claims existing, some active. Nearby had been the town of  Belleville, named for the first child born there in the 1860s, Belle. Back then,  it had a gold rush boom town population of over 10,000, and lost being the  county seat by only two votes. I don’t remember much about those times, but San  Bernardino became the county seat with the claim to fame as the site of the  original MacDonald’s. I do remember stopping there after skiing in the late 40s  and early 50s to load up with cheap burgers and shakes.

Continuing on 3N16, we later came to the Big Pine  Flats Campground and another pit stop. As it was noon, there was some grumbling  from the ranks about lunch, but it was raining slightly and the insensitive  leader pushed on. In about another half hour we came to the bottom of the  Holcomb Creek Trail, where the creek crosses 3N16 and where we had our lunch  stop overlooking the creek and with dry weather. Following that, we backtracked  to Big Pine Flats but turned from there onto 3N14, the Coxey Truck Trail which  goes from Fawnskin down to Apple Valley. We took the Fawnskin direction, passing  the Hanna Flat Campground on the way, named after one of our participants  perhaps, and past the Snow Slide Trail that lead to Butler Peak. Those trails  are still closed after severe fire damage. Upon reaching Fawnskin, some of us  went off to tour and do different things and some went back to the campground  after first stopping to get gas.

At camp Saturday evening, we had an excellent pot luck  dinner with a great variety of treats to choose from. Later we had a campfire  where Hannah Friedman had us play Mad Libs, a game where we were asked to supply  various parts of speech at random. When done, these become part of a story  that’s quite funny. That night it again rained intensely. No one drowned but Jim  Proffitt turned up missing, possibly washed away. We checked the drainage on the  way out; no Jim. Is one loss acceptable?

Sunday morning some others also had to leave, but the  eight vehicles remaining went to the top of 2N02 by Baldwin Lake. This trail  goes most of the way to Pioneer Town near Yucca Valley, our destination. On the  first part of the trail, there was a water crossing – deep, but not too deep.  Right after that, a section that had become a bit rougher than it had been  previously. Again, everyone made it through just fine. Subsequently we came to  the Rose Mine site, where there’s still an adit, though it’s barred a few feet  in. That mining operation covered a lot of the area, and was the most productive  in the San Bernardino Mountains, which in turn was the most productive in  Southern California.

We arrived at Pioneer Town around noon. It was  constructed as a movie set with many western type buildings, and got its name  from some of the original investors, the Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers’ band  many of us remember. Since it was lunch time, we went to the restaurant, where  they had a large table setup that accommodated all of us. The food was a little  pricey, but the quality was good. I had the barbecued salmon which couldn’t have  been better, especially for desert fish.

After lunch, we split up to go our separate ways  towards home. Many thanks to all who came.


Check out the photos!

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2012 Trip Report - San Bernardino Mountains

17 November 2013 | 2012 Trips

San Bernardino Mountains

Date: August 10, 11, 12, 2012

Written by leader Ted Kalil

Photos by Allan Wicker

When I arrived at the Greenspot Equestrian Group Campground Friday afternoon, the Nevada pilgrims, Mignon Slentz with her brand new Toyota FourRunner, and Glenn Shaw, were already there and set up, along with Jim Proffitt. Later we were joined by Marian and Neal Johns. Saturday morning Terry Ogden arrived, having come to the campground Friday evening but left after not seeing our campfire. We traveled up to Onyx Summit on SH 38, then on to Thurman Flats picnic area, where we met up with Allan Wicker and Mal Roode. From there, we went a short distance to the start of trail 1S12 where, after first making a side trip, Jim Proffitt again joined us. Then we headed towards the Morton Peak Lookout. When we got to a locked gate, though, I found that my Forest Service key was of no use because there was only a combination lock installed. So, we weren’t able to look in on the lookout.

We then proceeded down 1S13, Warm Springs Road, towards the bottom rear of Seven Oaks Dam, a very large flood control reservoir that had hardly any water in it. Another locked gate was encountered but this time the key worked; we got to the bottom and then traveled up the Santa Ana River bed heading for the Edison Mill Creek Hydroelectric Plant #2 built in the late 1800s. On the way we saw remains of an old aqueduct system. However, we were again blocked by a gate which had four locks, none of them the right one, and had to turn around there. For a damsite more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Oaks_Dam

Back up the hill onto 1N12, and after traveling along that for a while we found a wide spot for lunch in anticipation of rain, as clouds were forming. Afterwards, it did rain some and continued as we went past the Thomas Hunting Grounds (who was Thomas and why was he hunted?) and on to Angelus Oaks where the trail ended. From there we went back up SH 38, turning off onto 2N93, the Wildhorse Road going past Wildhorse Meadows. Great views as we climbed the mountain, and even better ones as we descended on the other side. The trail ultimately took us right back to our campground, from which Terry later departed for home. Allan stayed to participate in the terrific potluck dinner followed by two delicious Slentz Surprises (aka Mignon’s Miracles) for dessert. We again had a nice campfire that evening - maybe some of the shared stories were at least partially true.

Next morning we got an earlier start, but Jim Proffitt had to leave for home leaving six of us. It was good to see Jim out and about after his life changing surgery. And here I’d thought he was using a lame excuse accompanied by a photoshopped pic not to attend my January trip! While still in the campground, there was an incident involving a fire ring that I can’t talk about - I tried to get all sworn to secrecy in the name of the Patriot Act and National Security, but the only swear words I heard can’t be printed here. Next we went to Moonridge in Big Bear and on up 2N10, Skyline Drive, which offered us great alternating views of the Big Bear Valley and beyond on one side and Mt. San Gorgonio - Old Greyback - on the other. As we were traveling, some noticed a smoke plume. When we stopped to further observe, we tried to call the Forest Service but were unsuccessful; no telephone signal, no clear satellite signal, and I wasn’t able to get radio contact. However, a little further on we got phone service, called it in, and found that fire crews were already on site. Continuing on to 2N11, we came to the Champion Lodgepole Pine, the largest in the country. Back up and out to the top of 1N54, Clark’s Grade, the old original trail to Big Bear built as a toll road. Through lack of use and maintenance, this historic and scenic road was unusable until the San Bernardino National Forest OHV Volunteers restored it perhaps a dozen years ago. When we arrived at the bottom near the Seven Oaks Resort, Marian and Neal left for Lytle Creek while the rest of us went back over Onyx Peak, down to Lucerne Valley and home.

Although it only rained slightly at the campground itself, being consistent and unchallenged, I retain the highly coveted title mentioned above in the byline.

Check out the photos!

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2013 Trip Report - San Bernardino Mountains

05 February 2014 | 2013 Trips

San Bernardino Mountains

August 23 - 25, 2013

By Ted Kalil

It started on Friday, August 23rd. The meeting spot was Yellow Post 4 on 1N02 where I was joined by Neal and Marian Johns, Mignon Slentz, and Mal Roode. All had difficulty finding the spot and I was accused (by Neal, of course) of providing the worst instructions ever. My response was that they hadn’t read them completely. Oh, well, they all got there.

     Saturday morning we went to the Angelus Oaks restaurant for a great breakfast and were later joined by Nelson Miller, Rick and Sharon Cords, and Terry Ogden. From there we went down Middle Control Road to its bottom at the Santa Ana River, and then up 1N54, Clark’s Grade, for a short distance before turning on 1N04, the Converse Trail. When we reached Converse Station we proceeded up 2N06, the Radford Truck Trail, climbing up to 2N10, the Skyline Trail above Big Bear. Following that down to the Moonridge area, we went on to Big Bear Lake to top off our fuel tanks. Traffic in Big Bear was extremely heavy, possibly due to an Air Show being held. We saw several planes and a helicopter flying around.

     Beyond Sugarloaf, we proceeded up 2N93, the Wildhorse Meadows Trail, and later had lunch when we found a little shade by a tree. When we got to SH 38, we went back down to 1N02 past the Heart Bar Campground to 1N05. Climbing up, we had an incident on that trail: a nut came loose. No, not who you think. Really, Neal had noticed unusual noises and upon inspection a sway bar-ectomy was required. In not much time the operation was successful and we continued on our way. I was searching for a view point at the end of that trail which looked down to the desert, but when we got to the area many clouds had formed. Our view was of a very large, very dark gray cloud only. The group had to take my word about what they weren’t seeing as I described El Paso, Texas, and San Diego. Back down to 1N02 and our campsite, where Terry left us (Rick and Sharon had already headed home) and Nelson stayed for the night.

     Sunday morning Helen Vondrus came up in her yellow Jeep “Happy” and her dog Yukon. First we went three miles up 1N02 to the Coon Creek Cabin where there’s a great overlook and a vault toilet. The cabin was in use by a Boy Scout troop, but they didn’t mind the group going through it. Then we traveled to Seven Oaks, stopping at the burned out cabin where Christopher Dorner, the infamous ex-cop turned cop killer, had made his last stand. Nothing is left of the cabin and the area is fenced off to keep looters out because within hours of the incident people were going in to pick up items.

     From there we again picked up Clark’s Grade for a short distance before turning on to 1N09. This trail had recently been reopened after being closed for a long time due to severe water damage. We could see that a lot of work had been done on this very long, interesting trail that spans from Seven Oaks near SH 38 clear over to SH 330, the road to Running Springs. It has many different facets: view points, creeks, sandstone cliffs, and shaded glens. We stopped for lunch at Bear Creek, where Marian found a nice shaded area right beside the creek. The dogs, Felice and Yukon, sure enjoyed the water. Afterwards, since Mignon and Mal wanted to go home, they went on ahead to the 330; we followed at a more leisurely pace. At the 330, Marian and Neal also went home, while Nelson, Helen and I went on up to Running Springs and then over to Lake Arrowhead.

     We then picked up 2N33 to where it branched off to 2N34. We followed that to 2N37, a power line road that descends to Miller Canyon - very steep and paved in some sections to allow better traction for the utility vehicles. At the bottom, we stopped at the staging area before getting on SH 138 past Silverwood Lake. Helen proceeded on home to Lancaster while Nelson and I went to Apple Valley.

     We had great weather (much cooler than the areas below), interesting trails that most hadn’t seen, and lots of laughs. Many thanks to all that came. They should have healed up in a few days.

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2013 Trip Report - San Bernardino Mountains

16 January 2014 | 2013 Trips

San Bernardino Mountains

August 23 - 25, 2013 written by leader Ted Kalil

 

It started on Friday, August 23rd. The meeting spot was Yellow Post 4 on 1N02 where I was joined by Neal and Marian Johns, Mignon Slentz, and Mal Roode. All had difficulty finding the spot and I was accused (by Neal, of course) of providing the worst instructions ever. My response was that they hadn’t read them completely. Oh, well, they all got there.

     Saturday morning we went to the Angelus Oaks restaurant for a great breakfast and were later joined by Nelson Miller, Rick and Sharon Cords, and Terry Ogden. From there we went down Middle Control Road to its bottom at the Santa Ana River, and then up 1N54, Clark’s Grade, for a short distance before turning on 1N04, the Converse Trail. When we reached Converse Station we proceeded up 2N06, the Radford Truck Trail, climbing up to 2N10, the Skyline Trail above Big Bear. Following that down to the Moonridge area, we went on to Big Bear Lake to top off our fuel tanks. Traffic in Big Bear was extremely heavy, possibly due to an Air Show being held. We saw several planes and a helicopter flying around.

 

     Beyond Sugarloaf, we proceeded up 2N93, the Wildhorse Meadows Trail, and later had lunch when we found a little shade by a tree. When we got to SH 38, we went back down to 1N02 past the Heart Bar Campground to 1N05. Climbing up, we had an incident on that trail: a nut came loose. No, not who you think. Really, Neal had noticed unusual noises and upon inspection a sway bar-ectomy was required. In not much time the operation was successful and we continued on our way. I was searching for a view point at the end of that trail which looked down to the desert, but when we got to the area many clouds had formed. Our view was of a very large, very dark gray cloud only. The group had to take my word about what they weren’t seeing as I described El Paso, Texas, and San Diego. Back down to 1N02 and our campsite, where Terry left us (Rick and Sharon had already headed home) and Nelson stayed for the night.

     Sunday morning Helen Vondrus came up in her yellow Jeep “Happy” and her dog Yukon. First we went three miles up 1N02 to the Coon Creek Cabin where there’s a great overlook and a vault toilet. The cabin was in use by a Boy Scout troop, but they didn’t mind the group going through it. Then we traveled to Seven Oaks, stopping at the burned out cabin where Christopher Dorner, the infamous ex-cop turned cop killer, had made his last stand. Nothing is left of the cabin and the area is fenced off to keep looters out because within hours of the incident people were going in to pick up items.

     From there we again picked up Clark’s Grade for a short distance before turning on to 1N09. This trail had recently been reopened after being closed for a long time due to severe water damage. We could see that a lot of work had been done on this very long, interesting trail that spans from Seven Oaks near SH 38 clear over to SH 330, the road to Running Springs. It has many different facets: view points, creeks, sandstone cliffs, and shaded glens. We stopped for lunch at Bear Creek, where Marian found a nice shaded area right beside the creek. The dogs, Felice and Yukon, sure enjoyed the water. Afterwards, since Mignon and Mal wanted to go home, they went on ahead to the 330; we followed at a more leisurely pace. At the 330, Marian and Neal also went home, while Nelson, Helen and I went on up to Running Springs and then over to Lake Arrowhead.

     We then picked up 2N33 to where it branched off to 2N34. We followed that to 2N37, a power line road that descends to Miller Canyon - very steep and paved in some sections to allow better traction for the utility vehicles. At the bottom, we stopped at the staging area before getting on SH 138 past Silverwood Lake. Helen proceeded on home to Lancaster while Nelson and I went to Apple Valley.

     We had great weather (much cooler than the areas below), interesting trails that most hadn’t seen, and lots of laughs. Many thanks to all that came. They should have healed up in a few days.

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