Last Saturday B-Ray and I went out for a little day trip on snowshoes on the other end of the valley towards Sugarloaf Mountain. From my front porch we could see a small peak just below the actual top of Sugarloaf and we wanted to find out how long it would take to get there.

After packing a few safety essentials and a few beers for hydration, off we went into the forest slowly plodding towards our goal. It was a perfect day for a snowshoe outing, sunny and warm with no breeze to speak of. B-Ray and I prefer to hike off trail when there’s good snow. In no time we freestyled up a steep ridge that would lead us right to the spot we could see from my front yard. In less than two hours we stood at the crest and looked down on Highway 38 and could see my house.

It really feels like an extension of my “yard” when we can go off into the forest without packing everything into the car and driving somewhere. From the crest we took a roundabout way to head home and found ourselves on the edge of a really steep drop off.

B-Ray loves to charge hard on the way home, so we jumped off into the powder side stepping our way down the steep face until we got to the big meadow at the bottom. As we approached the clearing we heard voices through the trees. At the bottom we saw a six pack of snowshoers heading up the trail. They stood there with mouths open sporting that look of “where the hell did they come from?” They told us they were from San Diego, and had gone to the Discovery Center to get some advice. The fine folks at the Discovery Center sent them out this way. It was really cool to see people enjoying a getaway to the mountains where I call home.Visitors are Always Welcome in Big Bear

Most people don’t want strangers playing in their backyard, but when your yard is as big as the San Bernardino Mountains visitors are welcome! So come on up and bring your gear, you’re welcome to play in my “yard.” It’s big enough for all of us.

spreading the love, and the mountain style hospitality,
rev