Seven Summits of Big Bear

We started at pct crossing at 2n71, straight up to the top. Training run for Whitney for the kids. Trail training for me.

We did several trails this weekend. This and Bertha peak are pretty close to each other. I think this is harder than Bertha. It’s a pretty lengthy steep climb for about the second half going up. I got pretty winded. Still a great hike. I had done it once before and will do it again. Great view from the top.

A few challenging obstacles, but mostly a moderate trail. My 4Runner with 3" lift and 33s took some hits to the sliders and skids tho so I don't recommend for stock 4x4s. Scenic views of big bear lake and you end up in Holcomb Valley, which is great for camping.

Great trail, gorgeous views. Can be a bit difficult if you’re not used to the altitude, or a bit out of shape.

Great hike. Not too difficult. Perfect day and great trail.

Great hike - well maintained and generally well marked trail (tho the All Trails app was definitively helpful); gorgeous views along the way, nice diversity of plants trees rocks and bushes. We had a bald eagle soaring above us for a while which was awesome. Took us 2 hrs to the top and maybe 1:40 back. Nice mix of sun and shade for us. You need an Adventure Pass to park which costs $5 and is available just a mile up the road at the Fawnskin Market. Highly recommended hike.

Great two day with a overnight at dry lake. Plan on fetching water from the spring.

Did this hike last Friday and was surprised how vacant it was. Only saw one other person on the trail. Beautiful views of San Gorgonio wilderness. Ended up hitting the trail from the old road which had to offroad about 6 miles to get to the entry. Made it up and back in 3.5 hours. Would definitely recommend.

Did this hike this past Saturday. Like most other reviews you can skip the first mile by driving down the dirt trail in off the 38. We went about halfway and parked by other cars but could have driven in even further. From where we parked round trip was 13 miles according to my Fitbit. We brought our dog (and her backpack) and she did about half the hike on her own. The least favorable aspect of this trail is how rocky the path is. It was hard on my feet so I can only imagine how hard it would have been on my dog if we didn’t have a pack for her to hitch a ride in. Other than that great weather, great views, and now I’m feeling sore but accomplished!

A mostly mellow hike to one of the smaller peaks near Big Bear. Lots of trees. Trail is well maintained. The best panoramic views are actually to the west / north on the final mile or so to the peak. An Adventure Pass is required to park at the trail-head.

love everything about this trail

Beautiful hike. Not very shady. Can be quite hot during midday. We went in the late afternoon. A good option to consider.

What a great hike! it had been 19 years since I last hiked this mountain. The All Trails app is so awesome and helpful. There were a couple times when the trail wasn’t clearly marked. One was on the descent and there was no marker for the San Bernardino and Vivian creek Trail but the app got me on course. Also while approaching Dollar Lake, there was a meadow where the trail basically disappeared with no markers but the app was right on. I was amazed at how many people were at the summit (approx 60) on this day. Weather was a perfect 63 degrees with slight wind until past Dry Lake then it picked up and increased all the way up. Consumed 4.5 liters of water. Last source of water on the way up was about 1/2 mike from Dry Lake with a small spring bubbling up on the trail. Lots of dead trees from past fires and saw 3 blow over from the wind. No wildlife to speak of except birds.

Beautiful trail but don't go mid day. Hanna Flats all the way up to Gray's Peak is not worth the view at the top.

Perfect trail for a first timer. Great time and technical at times. Will definitely come back.

Hiked this trail today with our 8 and 5 year old kids. We made it about 1.5 miles up (elevation change of about 250 feet). We stopped at the turnoff for the Gray's Peak trail. Kids complained, but that's what kids do. I'd say it was a moderate hike. Nice way to spend an afternoon. Lots of views of the lake along the hike.

Loved this trail. Hiked with my 16-year old daughter and my black lab.
Fun and great views!!!!

Did this once in January and again yesterday. In winter there was no trail above dry lake, it is a proper mountaineering experience if you want to get to the summit (and safer to climb it direct vs trying to find a trail anyways). The closest thing to a big mountain wilderness experience you can find in So Cal. Just returned as a training hike and not another soul on the mountain. I started at 1pm and setup camp on the summit at ~7pm, took 4 hours to get down in the am. When snowless it is still just as beautiful, probably my favorite trail in So. Cal.

I did a shorter version of this hike (5.7 miles total) that begins at the junction of Polique Canyon Road and the PCT (as described in John Robinson's "San Bernardino Mountain Trails" book and by other reviewers on this page).

In addition to a shorter overall distance, my route from the PCT to the summit was slightly different from what's shown on this page. At around 2.3 miles, I hiked west on an overgrown road (shown as 3N80 on this map) to a use trail that travels south to the summit. This entire section from the PCT to the summit is the hardest part of the hike, as it's very steep and the trail is faint. There are ribbons and cairns that guide you though.

The view from the summit (a pile of rocks) isn't that great, so follow the ribbons south of the summit about 100 yards to a lower outcropping of rocks. The view from there is incredible.

Great little training hike with a steady incline. Very rocky the majority of the time so wear appropriate shoes. A vehicle with nominal clearance can make it to the trailhead or add a mile to your hike and park at the road. The actual summit doesn't have a panoramic view but if you head toward the rocks (toward San Gorgonio) theres some sweet look out points. Added a waypoint to my track for a good lookout fort in the rocks.

fun trail came thru the back side now ready to go back thru the front way lots of rocks dont pop a tire lol

My first 14er, the challenging hike was worth the views !

Great hike. Wasn’t able to make it the whole way because of a large thunderstorm.

Great hike just peaked Greyback via dollar lake trail on July 3, 2017. Weather was spectacular. Loved this way up better than Vivvian Creek. Longer but not crazy verticle like Vivvian. The best source of water is at the trail divide. Yes there is water at High Meadows but tough to find and tough to get at. Stayed over night at Red campground great spot.

Easy gradual incline. Great views through different types of terrain. Tracked my hike at 7.0 miles

Nice but more of a road than a trail for the majority of the distance. Not terribly well marked and easy to get off on an alternate route. The last 1/4 to 1/2 mike is very steep.

Great hike that is 7 miles with a gradual uphill climb. Great for a morning or late afternoon. Also kid friendly if your kids have been out hiking a few times.

Did Sugarloaf this morning and it was a hell of a hike. got to the top in 2hr 45min with a lot of breaks in between. great views on the way to the top and lots of shade too, which is good considering it's been a hot summer up here. definitely bring lots of water with you on this hike. it's always good to be safe.

Definitely a “moderate”, not an “easy”. Dirt road to access was fine in our regular car as we took it slow, a lot of potholes but they weren’t too deep. Parked on a small pull out just before PCT. Really nice trail but a lot of steep climbing on a dirt road (especially near the top). The PCT options made it much nicer lower down. 4miles rt.

first time taking out my xj sport with 30s and 3inch lift. we made it all the way had so much fun. just 4.l and pick your line and smooth throttle control and you will be good.