Family Fun Four Wheeling

The San Diego 4 Wheelers annual Big Red Adventure is named after “Big Red”, the Jeep that Jim and Liz Cowling rode many years ago to explore the great trails of Big Bear. In 1995 they organized an annual club run on the 4th of July to share the beauty of Big Bear with their fellow club members. Jim left us recently, but his memory stays with us as we continue the tradition he started with “Big Red” 15 years ago.

Join us at Big Bear Lake! Camp in the wilderness or make your own sleeping arrangements. Wind through the pines, through creeks, and over the rocks to enjoy the views of Big Bear Lake, Lucerne Valley, and Baldwin Lake. The trails range from easiest to most difficult; we rate them from GREEN to RED.

We are planning an outing that will cover Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Sunday will have at least two separate runs: a GREEN (moderate) run and a RED (difficult) run. The GREEN runs may have a hint of RED if the group is willing. We are looking for TRAIL LEADERS and TRAIL SUGGESTIONS. Saturday evening there will be one run to the top of Onyx Peak for a sunset view of the lake. Monday there will be a short half-day run.

SUNDAY NIGHT POTLUCK AND FIREWORKS
The potluck will take place at 5:00 pm, location not determined yet. The Club will be graciously providing the main dish and drinks. Please bring your favorite side dish to the potluck. Everybody is invited. Even guests will be included (for a nominal fee?). Please RSVP to sd4wheel@yahoogroups.com for members and any guests that are coming with you, or that you know are coming.

PLEASE RSVP BELOW SO WE HAVE A HEAD COUNT FOR DINNER!

The 4th of July fireworks at Big Bear are fantastic; we will watch them from the lakeshore South of the Serrano campground. Bring your seat, drink, insect repellent and a warm blanket.

LODGING IN BIG BEAR
If you like to camp, make reservations as soon as possible to one of several campgrounds available in Big Bear. A number of members with and without RVs have reserved spaces at the Serrano campground. Motels are also available, but do not wait before reserving a place for you to stay. You can find information at the following Internet address: www.bigbearlake.net or www.reserveusa.com.

DIRECTIONS TO BIG BEAR LAKE
Cars, Jeeps and trucks: Take Interstate 15 North to San Bernardino, to the 215 North, to Interstate 10 East, to the 30 Freeway North, to Hwy 330 East which will take you up into the mountains. Hwy 330 goes through Running Springs and turns into Hwy 18. Follow Hwy 18 East and turn right across the Big Bear Lake. If you are going to the Serrano campground, go straight at the dam and follow the road along the lake until you arrive at the campground, 8-9 miles after crossing the dam. It is approximately a 3 1/2-hour drive from San Diego.

RVs and Trailers: Take Interstate 15 North to San Bernardino, to the 215 North, to Interstate 10 East, to Hwy 38 North in Redlands. Continue up Hwy 38 into and through Big Bear City and to the campground, motel or RV Park of your choice in Big Bear Lake.

WEATHER
The lake is at about 7,000-ft. elevation. The trails go up past 8,000 ft. It will probably be cool in the evenings, so bring a warm jacket and long pants. The days should be nice and warm.

Big Bear Run Schedule

We will have two red runs and two green runs on Sunday. In addition, there will be a medium hard run on Saturday evening to Onyx Peak. There will be a short red/green run on Monday morning.

Here are four suggested runs. They may change based on potential closures, and members’ suggestions.

RED RUN #1: 3N93 ROUND TRIP 3N69

This run will leave the Discovery Center at 8:30 AM towards 3N93 and run that trail both ways.

RED RUN #2: JOHN BULL

We will leave the Discovery Center at 8:30 AM for a 10-mile highway trip to Baldwin Lake. The trail will go up Gold Mountain, 3N69 (LIGHT RED). Next, we will tackle 3N10, the famous John Bull Trail (DARK RED). This trail has been described as a mini Rubicon, with boulders and short hills to work your way up.

GREEN RUN #1: 6,000 FOOT TRAIL

On a Jeep Jamboree scale of 1-10, this trail would rate as a 4 to 6. We will leave the Discovery Center at 8:30 AM and travel about 15 miles on the pavement to Jacoby Canyon, better known as the 6,000-foot trail. After the 6,000-foot trail, you will meander through the forest east bound in a run down the Gold Mountain Trail.

GREEN RUN #2: ROUND VALLEY

We will leave the Discovery Center at 8:30 AM for about a 25-mile highway trip past Big Bear City (18) and on the 38 to 2N01 on the left. This is a nice green run going down to Round Valley. There, the more adventurous can follow their leader up a short but challenging RED loop.

SATURDAY NIGHT RUN: ONYX PEAK

This run will leave the Discovery Center at 5.00 PM for about a 30-mile highway trip to the foot of Onyx Peak, close to the Heart Bar campground where some may be staying. The group will go up to the summit for a marvelous view of Big Bear Lake and the sunset. Overall green, the run presents a few challenges on the slippery way up, that makes lockers welcome.

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