Originally published in Spring/Summer 2009. Written by Christie Walker.
Now that the snow has melted, a whole new group of outdoor activities is available to visitors and residents alike. So put away the snow shoes, skis and snow boards and bring out the bikes, boats and camping gear. Interested in trying a new activity for the day without the investment in equipment? No problem. You’ll find plenty of places where you can rent a canoe, bicycle or even a fishing pole. The toughest part of living or visiting Big Bear during the spring and summer months is deciding what to do.
1…Paddle the Lake – Want to enjoy time on the water without the noise of an engine? Dip a paddle into Big Bear Lake for a relaxing experience. At this slower pace you’ll have time to watch shore birds search for food, see fish jump out of the water in front of you, or even feed the ducks that will swim up to you in your smaller boat.
All boats entering Big Bear Lake must have a permit and be inspected for Quagga mussels, including canoes and kayaks. Quagga mussels are a prolific and costly invasive species that will coat any hard surface with layers of sharp shells. Big Bear is taking measures to prevent a Quagga mussel infestation of the lake. Boat inspection stations are set up at the two public launch ramps, which are equipped with hot pressure washing stations and at several of the private marinas. Once your boat has passed inspection, you are free to launch. For motorized boats, a special band connecting your boat to your trailer will be installed when you pull your boat out of the lake. If the band is still intact when you return on another day, you will be allowed to launch without an additional inspection. Permits for a canoe or kayak are $45 per year. You can also purchase one, two, three, four or five day use permits. Fishermen float tubes also require permits. Permits are available at the two public boat ramps located on the North Shore or at the Municipal Water District office. The East ramp is located near Stanfield Cutoff and the West ramp is located just west of the city of Fawnskin.
Don’t want to hassle with permits and inspections…rent a canoe or kayak from any of the local marinas around the lake. The majority of the marinas are located on the south shore between Boulder Bay and Stanfield Cut off.
2…Go Take a Hike – Big Bear Valley is surrounded by National Forest and miles and miles of picturesque hiking trails for every level. From the relatively flat Alpine Petal path that follows the edge of the lake to the ten-mile up hill climb to the 9,952 foot summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point in Big Bear Valley, you’ll find something for everyone. Take a visit to the Discovery Center at 42300 North Shore Drive to receive a handout and maps for the eleven local hikes including information on degree of difficulty, round trip mileage, parking regulations and what you will see. Two of the trails, the Woodland Trail and the Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail are well-suited for families with children. You can pick up an informational brochure at the trailhead at each of these locations to take a self-guided walk with numbered points of interest highlighting the plants, wildlife and geology of the area.
For many of the hikes you will need an Adventure Pass parking permit which can be purchased at the Discovery Center and several other locations throughout the Valley. You can purchase this annual pass for $30 or a day pass for $5. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, extra clothing, sunscreen, a cell phone, and snacks. .
3…Cycle the Mountain – Whether you rent a bike and helmet or bring your own, there are over 40 miles of biking trails throughout the forest from easy Forest Service roads to challenging single-track trails. For great views and an exciting ride, take your bike to the top of Snow Summit via the chair lift and then ride the Forest Service dirt roads back down. Not that adventurous? The Alpine Pedal Path on the North Shore is a three and a half mile asphalt trail that follows the lake from Stanfield Cutoff to the Solar Observatory. A group of cycling enthusiasts is working hard to create a bike route through the city on less crowded streets. Visit one of the local bike shops to receive a free map of these routes.
4…Catch a Fish – Fishing in Big Bear Lake can take many forms. From pulling up a chair and fishing from the shore, to trolling behind a boat with lead core line, to casting a dry fly from a float tube, Big Bear Lake has something for every angler. A visit to one of the local sporting good stores or marinas will put you in touch with the experts who can hook you up with a fishing license, bait and plenty of tips on how to catch a real lunker. Kids 15 or younger can fish without a license. Need more help? There are several fishing guide services that will take care of everything except reeling in your catch.
If you want to guarantee that your kids will hook up with a big trout, take them to Alpine Trout Lakes located off of Big Bear Boulevard at 440 Catalina Road. Here you don’t need a license, fishing poles or bait. For a fee, everything is provided. Bring your own fishing gear to save on the fishing pole rental fee.
5…Ride a Horse – Experience Big Bear sitting on a saddle during a guided horseback ride. Whether you choose an hourly ride, half-day, or sunset adventure you can get in touch with your inner cowboy as you ride through the pine trees of the National Forest. The Baldwin Lake Stables and Petting Zoo is located at the east end of Big Bear Valley on 46475 Pioneer Town Road, Big Bear City.
6…Whack a Ball – Tennis anyone? Or how about a game of golf? Big Bear has both. Free public tennis courts can be found at two locations in Big Bear Valley. Big Bear Lake’s Meadow Park is located at the end of Georgia, on Park Avenue. In the East end of the valley in Erwin Lake you’ll find more tennis courts at The Ranch, located at 2050 Erwin Ranch Road. Neither of these courts have lights for playing after dark.
Golfing enthusiasts will tell you their golf balls soar further at 7,000 feet. Check it out for yourself at the nine-hole Bear Mountain Golf Course located at the base of Bear Mountain ski area on Moonridge road. A driving range and chipping green will help you perfect your game.
7…Soar Above It All – Have you ever wanted to fly a plane? At Pacific Crest Aviation you can take advantage of an introductory flight lesson for as little as $99. After a brief lesson on the ground, it’s up, up and away in a Piper 180 with your instructor. You’ll learn to take off and land, and actually take over the controls as you circle around the lake. They also offer a one-hour scenic flight with views of Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake and Palm Springs for $175 for up to three people. Call 909-585-9663.
Parasailing is another way of getting a bird’s eye view of the lake. Starting from the comfort of a high-powered ski boat, the expert crew will slowly unwind your tether until you are 300 feet in the air. Single and tandem rides are available. There is a minimum age of eight-years-old and some weight restrictions. For more information contact Big Bear Parasail at 866-IFLY.
8…Get Wet – As the lake warms up in the summer, windsurfing, water-skiing and jet skiing become popular ways of experiencing the lake. The local marinas rent jet boats and will take your group out on the lake for a day of waterskiing or wake boarding. If you don’t want to wait until summer, then don’t forget to bring your wet suit.
9…Camp Under the Stars – You’ll discover the stars again when you plan a camping trip in Big Bear Valley. Serrano Campground, located near the lake on the North Shore, is operated by the Forest Service. To make reservations at this campground and other Forest Service campgrounds in and around the Big Bear Valley, go to www.Recreation.Gov or call the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777. There are also a number of private campgrounds and RV parks, some right on the lake, with electrical and sewer hook-ups for trailers and motor homes. No matter how you camp, make sure you check out the stars before you turn in for the night. You won’t be disappointed.
10…Come Face to Face with a Bear – Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. The Moonridge Animal Park has mountain lions and bears, but no tigers, but it’s still a great place to see many of the animals, birds and reptiles that make Big Bear Valley their home. Located off of Moonridge Road on Goldmine Drive at the base of Bear Mountain Ski resort, the Animal Park is open seven days a week from 10 to 4 M-F and 10 to 5 on weekends.
© 2009 Big Bear Magazine
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