Choice Piece of Pacific Crest Trail

Every year a couple dozen or so hikers with six months to spare set out to trek the 2,638-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. And in many years, at least a handful of these hardy souls, known as end-to-enders, complete the journey.

This year, though, it’s doubtful that anyone will go the distance, say PCT experts. The reason? Snow.

Record snowfall that had California skiers slaloming into early summer buried the plans of PCT hikers. Some High Sierra areas received more than 200% over normal snowfall.

The usual start for hikers is mid-April; most had to wait until mid-May this year and even with this late start many found the trail impassable at snowbound Mt. San Jacinto in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 200 miles from the start.

The Pacific Crest Trail through the San Bernardino Mountains is a great introduction to one of America’s premier long-distance footpaths. About 40 miles of fairly mellow PCT wind through the Big Bear Lake area of San Bernardino National Forest. Numerous entry and exit points near roads and highways allow hikers to map out a trip that’s just right for their time and abilities: a half-day walk, a day hike or a weekend or weeklong backpack trip.

To help plan your trip through Southern California’s highest mountain range, obtain the San Bernardino National Forest map and the American Automobile Assn.’s San Bernardino Mountains map. The Forest Service has a couple of helpful handouts about hiking in the Big Bear Ranger District.

The backpacker will find three trail camps located about 10 miles apart: Deer Springs near California 38 (Rim of the World Scenic Byway) not far from Onyx Summit; Doble, north of Big Bear City and near California 18; Little Bear Springs, more remotely located northwest of the hamlet of Fawnskin and California 18.

For a six-mile round-trip day hike, my favorite forest access to the PCT is via Cougar Crest, the forested ridge between Big Bear Lake and Holcomb Valley. From the ridge, as well as from the ridge’s two prominent peaks--Bertha and Delamar--you get great views of the lake and towering Mt. San Gorgonio.

Cougar Crest Trail climbs through a pine and juniper woodland, and ascends forested Cougar Crest via a series of well-constructed switchbacks. Soon you’ll be enjoying over-the-shoulder views of Big Bear Lake and its dramatic backdrop--the two-mile-high peaks of the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

A bit more than two miles from the trail head, Cougar Crest Trail reaches a signed junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. To reach Bertha Peak you’ll bear right (east) and continue along the ridge crest for half a mile to an intersection with an old road. PCT continues straight at this junction, but you’ll bear right on the dirt road and continue along the ridge crest for half a mile through pine and juniper woodland to the top of Bertha Peak. Best views are a bit below the peak.

To reach Cougar Crest trail head: From California 18 in the town of Big Bear Lake, turn north on the Stanfield cutoff, crossing to the north shore of the lake and a junction with California 38. Turn left, drive a mile to the Big Bear Ranger Station, then a short distance beyond to the signed Cougar Crest trail head and parking area off the north side of the highway.

If you’re approaching from the east on California 38, the trail head is about two miles beyond the hamlet of Fawnskin.

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Pacific, Cougar Crest Trails

Where: Big Bear area, San Bernardino National Forest.

Terrain: Forested slopes above Big Bear Lake.

Highlights: Great views of lake, surrounding high peaks.

Distance: 40 miles of Pacific Crest Trail through Big Bear area; many shorter hikes possible.

Degree of difficulty: Moderate.

For more information: San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Ranger District, Post Office Box 290, Fawnskin, CA 92333; tel. (909) 866-3437.