Big Bear Blog

One of the best things about living in a mountain town is on-demand access to the forest. It doesn’t take much planning to get to a trailhead and decisions about what to do boil down to what you haven’t done this week. And sometimes you are just in the mood to do everything.

This past Tuesday, I set out with one goal in mind: A long ride in the forest with plenty of climbing and lots of downhill. I started off on Mill Creek Road and accessed Fire Road 2N10. Setting a good pace, I took advantage of the vertical to warm up. As I climbed I sketched out a plan to ride as much single track as I could while working my way east.

First trail: I left 2N10 to ride Wet Dream - a perfect uphill addition to my mostly uphill ride. I topped out on the upper reaches of Skyline Drive and made my way over to Plantation Trail. It was a fast ride down to 2N10 for a bit of backtracking. At 2N17, I hooked right and climbed to the top of the Upper Cabin 89 trail.

The initial steeps weren’t too loose – the recent rains had knocked everything down. After that it was pure fun all the way back to Mill Creek Picnic area. I took a quick break and decided I wasn’t finished. I still had a little time before I needed to start my work day. I grabbed a Clif Shot and headed to the base of 1E01.

I had only climbed 1E01 once before, I knew it would be demanding but I felt good and took it slow. As I maneuvered over rocks and roots, I decided there is something Zen-like about riding a trail uphill. Perhaps it is the deep focus of choosing your line or using your entire body to move the bike higher. Each circular stroke on an isolated section of flat is celebrated before the next anaerobic push. I quickly lost myself in my thoughts and only realized I had reached my destination when the trail gave way to a broad Fire Road. I paused briefly to savor my efforts before pointing my tire in the direction I had come. To spend an entire morning in the cool shade of the forest was awesome.

Earning my turns,
Glade Girl

Run the Bear - Big Bear Lake Marathon is just 19 days away. Two months ago I convinced myself I could reach the half marathon plateau of 13.1 miles, even if that meant crawling to the finish line. If I do complete the task of finishing the half marathon it qualifies as a checkmark on the ole bucket list. 

As of late I’ve racked up quite a few six and seven mile runs. I’m doing 9:40 miles, which means I would likely finish the feat in about two hours and change. That is an hour slower than Big Bear’s own Olympic stud Ryan Hall. However, I’m not out to compete for ribbons and bows, I just want to finish.

This week I need to buck up and accomplish a nine mile run. Once I get to the nine and 10 mile range, I will be content to run the half. This week it’s do or die in order to be ready for race day on Saturday, September 12. I don’t have a trainer or any knowledge of how to train properly, but one thing I know for certain is I have the heart, and I’m going for it. 

I just hope my Ipod doesn’t crap out on me. I rely heavily on music to get me through each and every mile. If not I hope the crowd cranks up KBHR 93.3 FM along the route. I understand the radio station plans to play an up tempo mix of songs to get the adrenaline pumping!

I also want to mention there are quite a few good deals on lodging for athletes and spectators who are traveling to participate in the marathon/half marathon. Check out http://www.bigbear.com/webmaster/marathon.php for lodging discounts.

Run the Bear if You Dare,

Daniel Pea

While Big Bear Lake is known as a first class Trout Fishery, one of the lakes best kept secrets is the outstanding fishing for Catfish! Without question, your best chance to catch a fish from 5 to over 20 lbs. is to fish for Catfish. The lake has three different species of Catfish: Blue, Channel, and Bullhead. Every year, fish over 20 lbs. are pulled from Big Bear Lakes cool waters, and this year was no exception. On May 25 th, Kevin Bremer pulled in a 27.82 lb. Whisker Fish near Gilner Point, using a Hot Dog for bait.

Because even a 5 lb. Catfish will really “pull yer string” as they say, you will have a much better chance of landing a big fish if you use a medium, to heavy fishing rod, and at least 10 lb. line, and many Cat Fishermen prefer to use 15 to 20 lb. test monofilament.

The best time to fish for Catfish is usually from Sun Up until about 10 am in the morning. Then again from about 4 PM until the next morning. Early and late in the day, and all night, the fish will normally be in waters from 5 to 12 feet deep. During the middle of the day, you might catch them as deep as 30 feet.

Lots of quality Catfish are caught from shore every season, however, I prefer to fish from a boat, because a boat makes it so easy to change your fishing location. Catfish are very aggressive feeders, so if there are any fish in the area you have chosen to fish, you should start getting bites right away. I will only spend about a half hour fishing a spot, and if I haven’t had any luck, I will move to a new location.

There are lots of different rigs you can use to catch these fish, but a real good rig is to use a sliding sinker rig, like you would use for Trout, except with heavier line, and a hook big enough for the bait you decide to use.

One of the toughest decisions you have to make when you are going after Catfish is-What bait to use? Catfish are not usually picky eaters, and the list of baits that will work is almost endless. Here is a list of some of the most popular: Night Crawlers, Mackerel, Hot Dogs, Crawfish, Sardines, cheese, prepared & stink baits, shrimp, Meal Worms, marsh mellows, and chicken livers.
You might catch a catfish just about any where on Big Bear Lake. Best places to try are points, flats near drop offs, and in the bays.

Popular Cat fishing spots are Standfield Cutoff, Juniper Point, Eagle Point, Grout Bay, Gilner Point, Metcalf and Boulder Bays.
Catfish are also great to eat. The best eating size is fish from about 2 lbs. to 6 lbs. The big ones are not very good to eat, so you might consider letting them go to fight another day!

FishBigBear.com

It’s not always about the great outdoor recreation in Big Bear. Sometimes one has to relax and take a stroll into town. This summer the Big Bear Village has started a new trend called “Friday Nights in the Village.” This event is designed to kick start the weekend with live music at various locations throughout the Village. In addition to the variety of live bands and soloists are a handful of strolling performers such as ventriloquists, magicians, clairvoyants, mimes, balloon artists, and face painters. It has a real festive atmosphere, with the likes of a carnival or circus. The abundance of live entertainment on Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue makes shopping or having a beer a much more pleasurable experience. Some of the performers are downright hilarious. Best of all the entertainment is absolutely free.

Most of the restaurants in the Village offer patio seating to give patrons a great view of all of the performers. The restaurants and bars are lively on Friday nights with an ambiance of gaiety and merriment.

Big Bear is notorious for closing its shops early, but during “Friday Nights in the Village” the shops stay open to at least 8 p.m. and I’ve seen some stay open as late as 10 p.m. Shopping in the Village is such a unique experience because the shops, galleries and boutiques sell items that are hard to find in the big cities and even the Internet for that matter. Also “Friday Nights in the Village” offers a diverse selection of vendors who are only in the Village on Friday nights hawking unusual goods and services.

There are only three weeks left to enjoy all the hoopla of “Friday Nights in the Village.” So if you plan to visit Big Bear for weekend getaway be sure to start early with a celebration in the Village on Friday nights. The times are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The final “Friday Nights in the Village” is September 4. However, the festivities have created such a buzz around town that there are talks of making this a weekly event all year round. Come on up and enjoy “Friday Nights in the Village.”

TGIF,
Daniel Pea

Flipping through Brad Singer’s climbing guide for the Big Bear Valley we stumbled upon his write-up about an area called ‘Black Bluff.’ An image of a climber crimping a nearly invisible hold on a polished surface prompted us to read on. The section chronicled a series of challenging to stout climbs – from face and crack climbing to a dihedral a chimney. But Singer’s promise of “Yosemite-quality granite and the longest routes in the San Bernardinos” caught our attention. We were sold!

We parked to the far side of the Bluff Mesa Group Camp and sorted gear; taking care to pack light, bringing only what we thought we would need. Following a well-worn trail through the pines, it tracked west over undulating turf. Each minor climb gave way to a slight descent. In a mile or so we came to the Southridge Plateau as towering pines were replaced by low-lying brush. The Manzanita’s smooth, red bark glimmered in the morning sun and cast an otherworldly feel across the landscape. It provided just enough ground cover over the dry and scoured slope. The wind kicked up as we hiked and I thought about what it must be like on this plateau in the dead of winter.

As our hike took on a steady descent towards the plateau’s rim, the San G ridgeline to our left and Butler Peak to our right came into view. Nearing the edge, we could see the Artic Circle far below us – the roadway appeared to cling to the hillside as it headed toward Running Springs. Snow Valley’s Slide Peak stood sentinel on the far side of the Bear Creek drainage.

After a few errors in our route-finding and a bit of back-tracking we climbed down past the Big Juan Formation to the base of the North Face Center wall. In the cool shade of the towering granite above us, we found a few flat spots in the steep terrain to study the wall. It was spectacular. The smooth rock had enough dimples, imperfections and cracks to challenge us while the length of the climbs enticed us to get started. As the guidebook guaranteed, the climbing was fantastic.

We returned to our cars in the hazy light of afternoon. The dirt of our efforts clung to us and we used the last of our water to rinse off. A day of climbing always ends the same way: Gathered together, clasping raw fingertips around cold beers, we recount the climbs and the movements that made them memorable. It’s always the smiles and excited conversation that linger and make my Monday mornings more bearable.

Earning my turns,
Glade Girl

One of the great things about an active lifestyle is that when the action stops, the eating and refueling begins!

Sharing good food with great friends following epic trails and spectacular views makes for the perfect Big Bear day. When I’m not learning more about biking, hiking or paddling I try to watch all the food network shows and learn cool new recipes and cooking techniques, so when we finally get to the table it’s worth the wait. Breaking bread with friends is as special as it gets. Especially when we first take our friends out to play whether it’s hiking, biking or paddling sharing a nice meal, makes for a complete experience to be remembered forever.

Spreading the love, rev

I’m pooped! Big Bear whipped my hind this past week, and it was worth every minute! From Sunday to Sunday I was engrossed in adventure, nature and downright fun. I lived Big Bear to the highest level, which is the only way to go. I put it into full throttle, and here’s what I did in just one week…

Sunday, July 26: The weather was screaming my name to get outside and play. So I did. I greased up my bike chain, filled up the tires and headed out to Big Bear’s Mecca bike spot, the Scenic Sky Chair. I met up with Danny Morale (he hates to be called Danny) just minutes before the chair lift shut down. We were set to tackle a single track trail, and what better one to tackle than Pine Knot Trail. We charged hard and the results were ear to ear smiles! We ventured back on the Towne Trail for a bit of climbing and a pleasant ride back to our trucks.

Monday, July 27: I went on a run around the neighborhood. Heck, one can even get the sensation of nature’s embrace in Big Bear’s residential areas. Later that evening, I sparked up my brick BBQ grill and cooked up some fine apricot teriyaki chicken. Yummy for the tummy!

Tuesday, July 28: I took it slow on Tuesday. One thing I took advantage of though is the marvelous night sky. I relaxed on my deck with some ice cold Coronas and watched the moon nudge west. Within an hour the moon completely vanished and left me with nothing but millions of shiny little dots plastered on the blackened sky. What a sight to see. Stargazing in Big Bear is theater for the soul. I composed an old fashioned ink and paper letter to a beautiful woman I adore, and next thing you know I’m out cold. I had fallen asleep under the starry skies for about two hours dreaming of “sunshine.” 

Wednesday, July 29: I started Wednesday with a trek out to Holcomb Valley for a six mile run. It was exhausting, but well worth it. I am training for the half marathon (13.1 miles), and I only have a little more than a month to get into the double digit mile mark to confirm I’m ready for the challenge. So expect more and more miles in the next few weeks. After the run, I decided to get a more accurate reading of the mileage. So I started my truck up, threw it into four wheel drive, and traced my running route. I didn’t realize how much rough terrain I ran on, but my truck eased through the embedded rocks. The thrilling 4×4 ride through the valley was indeed a pleasant bonus.

Thursday, July 30: Thursday after work I made a makeshift burrito to give me just enough carbs to get me through a sunset hike. I took a hike into the forest and climbed to a peak that overlooks the Big Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake and the ski resorts. What a sight indeed. At the summit I paused, took in a deep breath, and realized how blessed I am to live in such a spectacular place. I headed back to my cabin knowing that I had two visitors arriving shortly.

Friday, July 31: At last the weekend arrived, and I could taste the adrenaline pumping through my veins for some action on the lake. My two friends and I met Gary K. out at the docks at Pine Knot Landing at about 7:30 a.m. Gary has devised quite a unique contraption from a boogie board with a harness that connects to a ski tow rope. One turn at a time, we got into the refreshingly warm water (Surprise! I said warm) and gave the contraption a whirl. Were we surprised at how impressive this invention of Gary’s really is. Simply put this is an easy way to have fun on the lake. It is like riding a boogie board on the ocean waves, but more controlled and more opportunities to ride wakes or waves without paddling out. It was an absolute riot. We couldn’t get enough. The only reason we got out of the water is to drive across to the north shore to get some jet skis before 9:30 a.m. 

Next up jet skiing, this is without a doubt one of the greatest ways to get an instant rush of adrenaline. We rented Waverunners at North Shore Landing, which is known as the ultimate fun spot on the lake because of its diverse selection of watercraft. Heck even the phone number spells it out (909-878-4FUN). We each picked out newer four stroke models. For an hour we raced and zipped across the lake and let the wind twist our hair in all different directions. The best way to describe this hour long adventure on these turbo induced machines is thrilling, ABSOLUTELY THRILLING!!! 

Afterwards I went to work for six hours. The whole time though I kept thinking about what might be biting. That’s right nothing like ending a Friday with a night session of fishing. Of course I struggled to set my rig, because we all forgot to bring headlamps and flashlights. Failure to have light present made threading hooks and bait quite a chore. I finally got a line in the lake after struggling with my tackle for a half hour or so in the dark. I figured the best solution with no light on the shoreline was to crack a light, light beer that is. I didn’t catch any fish, but I did catch a buzz.

Saturday, August 1: The next thing I know August creped its head into the picture. I figure time waits for no one, and it won’t wait for me! There’s no time to slow down, it’s summertime for crying out loud! Saturday’s agenda included a 9-hole match of Frisbee golf with Marcus Busey and Luke Spoon, A couple rides on the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, BBQ at Teddy DeStrings and a mellow cruise across Metcalf Bay on a kayak. The early afternoon Busey, Spoon and I discovered a great course with official markers, tee boxes and disc baskets for a competitive game of Frisbee golf. Spoon won the match, but I came in a close second place. Lots of great laughs and good times were had by all.

On the way back to town we decided to get a quick kick in the shorts with a couple rides on the Alpine Slide, Big Bear’s very own cement luge course. It’s fast and thrilling. Kids love the ride, but I think adults push it even harder to get a rush from the twisting turning speed course.

Later I went to Teddy’s BBQ and was pleased with his offer to let me take his kayak across Metcalf Bay for a sunset cruise. Once I began paddling I suddenly got into a Zen mode. I let the fresh air fill my lungs and I took in the site of water fowl and fishermen both on the shore and in boats. I was able to paddle where the larger pontoon boats were limited. Of course I paddled right into a thick mass of weeds, but that’s the great thing about kayaks. One can venture just about anywhere on a lake without any worries. 

Sunday, August 2: Sunday is the day of rest. I finally took a break from all the activities and just gelled out. I laid out on my easy chair on my deck, and took in the rays for a good old fashion sunbathing session. The problem is I should have put on some sunblock. I now have to deal with the discomfort of sunburn.

All this in one week, and I still haven’t put t a dent in Big Bear. This is just an inkling of the recreation and activities that Big Bear has to offer. I’ll admit this has been one loooooong bloooooog. But it’s important to get the word out that Big Bear is Southern California’s ultimate playground.. Be sure to visit BigBear.com to learn more about what’s happening this summer or anytime.

Get Outside,

Daniel Pea

Having spent the day inside, working way too hard playing a bit of catch up with the stacks of paper on my desk, I decided an evening paddle was in order. The winds had kicked up during the afternoon and I decided to launch from Boulder Bay - try my luck paddling toward the dam.

I made a bee-line out of the Bay, passing a lone fisherman in a float tube. Heading west I passed a family of ducklings as I made my way into Papoose Bay. The wind was stronger than I expected and turned my leisurely paddle into a bit of a workout. Considering where I had spent the day, I welcomed the challenge. Circling Treasure Island, I enjoyed the glass-like surface before turning around to follow the same course back to Boulder Bay.

As I rounded the point towards Papoose, the wind and waves from the wake of several boats in the area grabbed at my kayak. I pointed my bow in the direction they were traveling and checked the shore to gauge my speed. I was moving! Feeling the familiar tug of waves; their momentum lifted the kayak before sliding it down into the trough, pushing me forward: The surf forced me into a pattern of lift and slide, lift and slide, lift and slide. It lasted a while and I surfed into the center of the Bay. Hoping for the same opportunity I paddled toward the lip of Boulder Bay. Unfortunately, the ‘sets’ weren’t big enough to create the same surf sensation. But, the water had calmed considerably. My small wake cut the surface as I glided back into Boulder Bay.

Earning my Surf,
Glade Girl