Big Bear Blog / 8/12/07
Sunday mornings start slow in Big Bear and that’s a great time to grab your road bike and take advantage of the reduced traffic flow and cooler temperatures. This last Sunday we had a congregation of six show for a “rev ride”…all that means is that I get to pick the route, and I like long rides with some good climbing along the way. When your ride begins in Big Bear Lake, it’s either up or down from there, very few “flat” areas, so there’s going to be some climbing, no matter which direction you’re heading.
Our group stayed together for most of the nine mile climb over Onyx summit. It was nice to see everyone riding so strong and enjoying themselves. Of course a coupe of guys sprinted to the top but that’s to be expected…I wouldn’t have it any other way…
When you get to float downhill on a windy mountain road for twenty minutes without pedaling, you’re caught between wow, this is great fun…and wow, this is gonna hurt on the way back! But it’s always easier and more fun if you have a few good friends to ride with. On his day we rode down to Jenks Lake and took a quick snack break by the waters edge before we started the climb back towards home. We ended up with a fifty miler under our belt and some healthy appetites. Hope you enjoy the pictures and will be looking for you on the next Rev-ride. Happy pedaling and NO flats!
spread the love, REV
August can be one of the toughest months of the year for fishing on Big Bear Lake, but you can still catch a lot of fish, by fishing at the right time, the right lures or bait, and at the right depth.
Trout
If it’s a bright sunny day, fish early in the morning, and from about 2 PM until dark. If it’s a cloudy day, fishing can be good all day long. Currently, it seems like I’m catching fish at all different depths every day. So be versatile and try every depth from straight mono with say a Rapala just under the surface to as deep as four and a half colors of lead core off the reel.
Top producing lures for me this month have been Rapalas, Helgy’s, Needlefish & Dick Nite Spoons in copper and gold. Bait fishermen should be using slip bobbers this time of year, and try depths from 8′ to 17′. Top baits are Nitro Bait & Power bait, along with Night Crawlers. Don’t get discouraged if you fish one day and don’t do well, because the next day you might catch several fish! The best areas for fishing right now have been Gilner Point, Metcalf Bay, Boulder Bay, and down by the Dam.
Bluegill
Bluegill are showing up on stringers from all around the lake. Fish around brush, and the docks for best results. Red worms and meal worms are the best baits, on 4 lb. to 6 lb. test line.
Crappie
Crappie fishing has slowed a bit, because the fish have moved to deeper water. Try the points and from 10′ to 25′ of water for best success. Mini Jigs with a Berkely crappie nugget on a hook works great! Using light line (4 lb. test) will catch a lot more fish.
Catfish
Catfish are being caught all over the lake right now. Best time is early morning, late afternoon, and at night. Best bait’s are night crawlers, shrimp, stink bait, and mackerel. Big Bear has plenty of big catfish, so I suggest that you use at least 12 lb. test
line.
Good Luck
Curt Dills
By: Daniel Pea
August 24, 2007
There is a place in Big Bear City that has some great day hikes and lots of boulders for some solid bouldering opps. The place I am referring to is a place I call “The Peter Pan Zone.”
There’s no pixie dust from Tinker Bell, no pirate with a hook for a hand, no lost boys and not even a mischievous boy that refuses to grow up. I call it “The Peter Pan Zone” because most of the street names in the general area are from the Peter Pan storybook. It is located on the north end of Big Bear City, off Highway 18, between Greenway Drive and Van Dusen Canyon Drive. Some of the familiar street names include, Peter, Michael, Wendy, Nana, Tiger Lily and even Tinker Bell. Some of the streets will actually lead you to “The Peter Pan Zone” right at the cusp of the San Bernardino National Forest.
“The Peter Pan Zone” is one of the local’s best kept secrets, but like Peter Pan says, secrets are meant to be shared. It is a hiking area that is open to the public. It is where residential homes meet the San Bernardino National Forest face to face on Pioneer Lane. There is a trailhead for each street that leads to the “Zone.” The Peter Pan character street names that lead to the hiking area are Michael Avenue and Nana Avenue. However, I chose to venture from Anita Ave., which is just one street east of Michael Ave.
What I like about this area is the various options for leisure hikes; it’s relatively easy with no strenuous inclines. It is common grounds for anyone who enjoys a good hike. In fact, one of the best things I like is the wildlife sightings. In the past I have seen raccoon, deer and coyote. On this particular hike I was stimulated by the songs from a variety of birds. Unfortunately, I was not able to identify all the birds that were singing the chorus of nature, but I did spot a white-breasted nuthatch, a mountain chickadee, a few steller’s jay and a robin.
The great thing about “The Peter Pan Zone” is the simplicity of the walks and choices of trails that relatively have the same casual and relaxing pace. I came to a fork and went left only to find the trail broke into a dry creek of scattered rocks. I actually found what appears to be a grinding stone that was probably used by Native Americans.
I continued to follow the dry creek to a dead end of towering boulders. This area is renowned as one of the best bouldering spots in Big Bear. Naturally, I decided to scale the boulders to the top. I was solo, so I was extra cautious of the route I took. I chose to scramble up through the crests. I suggest having another person with you if you choose to do more daring rocks. Whenever climbing boulders it is important to take it slow, concentrate and have fun! The great thing about bouldering is there are no right ways and no wrong ways to climb boulders. It’s about instinct and what feels comfortable for you.
I reached the top of the first towering set of boulders and noticed to the east a plethora of rock formations. I understand this area also has some great rock climbing. In the future, I will have to find a rock climbing enthusiast to show me some of the hot spots in this area.
This was a twilight hike, so I didn’t have to worry about snakes. However, this is one area that I tend to take extra caution of snakes. Rocks and snakes tend to go hand in hand.
There were more boulders ahead and I continued to have fun and climb to the top. I reached a summit and took a break to take in the sights of beauty. I could see a clear shot of Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest peak in Big Bear Valley, a nice view of Big Bear City and on this day the cloudscapes were phenomenal, a red sunset blended with a cluster of grey and purple clouds. I found myself in the middle of a peaceful and calm forest. This is when I realized that maybe I was in Neverland and this is why I call it “The Peter Pan Zone.”
I finished my boulder trek to a plateau. To my surprise there was a trail. I was rearing to take it, but noticed a couple of bats overhead, a tale, tale sign that it is was getting dark. I decided to take the trail back to my truck, but curiosity has me wanting to check out where this trail leads. I will explore this trail next time and report the expedition on the next blog. Until then enjoy the outdoors, it’s what its there for.
Hi my name is Rich White but my friends call me “Rev” and I hope you will too. I’ll be posting a blog once a week with cycling info, fun facts and tall tales about all the great biking and adventure found in and around our mountain top paradise. I would like to encourage you to join all of us cycling enthusiast that have found Big Bear Lake to be an exciting and challenging place to ride with endless mountain bike trails for all levels of skill and experience and some scenic, spectacular road rides as well.
For those that might be “time” challenged or just prefer an easier way to the top, there’s the scenic sky chair at the Snow Summit ski resort that provides chair lifts for you and your bike. With several ride options to choose from and bike rental shops at both ends of town, it’s a great way to enjoy and explore our mountain trails with a bit less climbing involved!
Whatever you choose to do the cycling in Big Bear Lake is alive and well. Are you ready to ride?
Spreading the love, Rev
posted 8/20/07