Visiting Big Bear in May

I know it's a ways out, but...

Planning on visiting a friend in SocCal and I'm wanting to do some 4x4 around Big Bear for a day. Planning on hitting the trails May 11 around 9am-ish and wheeling until around 5-ish. I'm assuming any snow will be gone and trails open. Just looking for some suggestions or insider kernels of wisdom as I begin planning.

I have a 3" lift, 33"s, sliders, rear locker. Pretty experienced. I'm hoping to run Gold Mountain, John Bull, Holcomb Creek, and possibly Horsethief Flat. Is this doable, rig and time wise? Are there any easier trails worth doing for the scenic/cool factor? Thanks!

(I can bump this in a few months as a reminder, in case anyone wants to meet up with us.)

 

You could do Crab flats that is pretty easy and scenic trail is called: 3n16.

 

yea crab flats is easy with some real good views of lake arrowhead. if you decide to hit crab flats post it up before you go. im down to try and get a meet going and get a couple other trucks out there the snow at crab flats is pretty much gone i was jsut there last week and try to go up 3 to 4 times a month cus its pretty close to me. Starting at Green Valley all the way to Big Bear City its about 25.5 miles

 

OP: Don't waste your time with 3N16. It's literally just a fire road and has nothing interesting.

Rig wise, yeah, it sounds like you'd be fine. I'd plan for Gold and Bull as long as you start early (8-9). Gold is cake with your rig. The east side of Bull will take some work depending on drivers skill. After the v-notch it's all down hill so not much to worry about. Once you're done with bull, depending on time, is when you'll decide whether or not you have time to run Holcomb. If not, just head out polique canyon. Holcomb is easier than Bull, especially the direction you'll be running it if you come from John Bull.
3N16 is just the connecting road between these 3 trails, just fyi.

 

yea but isn't wiser to do john bull with more than one truck ^

 

Just depends on drivers skill, really. I've ran it solo before. But I've probably ran that trail 15+ times.

I never really advise going alone unless you have full recovery gear, spare parts, and have experience on the particular trail you plan on running.
It seems he is trying to get some more people to go along anyway...

 

Still planning on this Saturday, May 11. I think I'll be running Holcomb, White Mountain, and Gold Mountain... skipping John Bull.

If anyone wants to meet up there that morning that would be awesome.

 

White mountain is a gravel filled fire road. Good views though. I wouldn't waste my time there if I were you.
Have fun! I'd be there if I wasn't moving to Alabama right now.

 

I see saguaros in your sig pic... was that in my neck of the woods?

 

TTORA AZRocks 2011 at Florence Junction!

 

Well, made it out there and linked up with a good group of local dudes. There was a 1994 Grand Cherokee, a 1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR, a 1997 LR Discovery, and my Tacoma. Ran some trails and had a great time.