MOUNTAIN TOP HIKING CLUB

mountaintophiking.com
PO Box 2889, Lake Arrowhead. CA 92352
The Mountain Top Hiking Club has been formed under the umbrella of the San
Bernardino Mountains Land Trust.
2008 SCHEDULE
Mountain Top Hiking Club
Hike Schedule
APRIL
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area -- MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her
weekly ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call
hike leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Friday - Sunday, April 4-6
Culp Valley, Anza Borrego State Park Car Camp – Sierra Club Mountains
Group
Culp Valley, in the upper Sonoran plant zone, is our base for a hike down
the old California Riding and Hiking Trail to Borrego Valley, 3000 ft.
below. We will see a variety of plants on the way. On shorter hikes we’ll
visit local springs, we’ll see effects of water sources on plant life and
check recovery from the 2002 fire. Primitive camping, OK for passenger
cars. May arrive on Friday or Saturday. Call leader Bill Engs (909)
338-1910
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Santa Ana River to Cram Peak and Morton Peak Lookout --Sierra Club, Big
Bear Group
8:00am, difficult, 12 miles, 2,800 ft. elevation gain. Great views of the
Santa Ana River drainage. Bring water, layered clothing, and hiking boots.
We’ll meet at the Von’s parking lot in Big Bear Lake and the Mill Creek
Ranger Station at 9am. Please call to confirm Ed Wallace (909) 584-9407
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Exploration Trail, Children’s Forest – Running Springs area -- Sierra
Club Mtns Group
9am, difficult, 9 miles, 1,500 ft. elevation loss and gain. The
Exploration Trail was constructed by the young people of the Children’s
Forest in 2002. The vegetation and the views change constantly as we hike
to the top and back. Bring 2 qt's. water, lunch, ten essentials, layer
clothing and hiking boots are required. For information and meeting place,
call hike leader Billie Wolfe (909) 338-2534
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions.
(909) 337-6337
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Lake Arrowhead North Side Hike – MTHC
9am, moderate, 650 ft. elevation gain, about 3 hours. We will begin on an
access road, then to Hwy 173, next to a logging trail, then a motorcycle
trail, and finally a paved road. We will make a short side trip to Willow
Creek Falls. Bring water, snacks, layered clothing and good hiking boots.
Register will hike leader Jerry (909) 337-7573 or
jjsavages@charter.net
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Jacoby Canyon – Big Bear area – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9am, moderate, 6 miles, 600 ft. elevation gain. We will descend into
Jacoby Canyon from the Lucky Baldwin Mine. There will be a scenic mixture
of pine ands chaparral vegetation. Bring water, snacks, layered clothing,
and sturdy boots. National Forest Adventure Pass required for drivers. We
will meet in at the Von’s parking lot in Big Bear Lake. Call to register
or learn more with hike leader Dick (909) 866-9232
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area -- MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her
weekly ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call
hike leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Pacific Crest Trail from Broom Flat Rd (2N01) – Sierra Club Mojave Group
8:00am, moderate, 9 miles, some elevation gain/loss. Bring 2 qt's. water,
lunch/snacks, layered clothing and sturdy boots. Meet at the Von’s parking
lot in Big Bear Lake. For information call hike leader Terry at (760)
252-2194 or
oldhikerdude@verizon.net
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Pacific Crest Trail from Route 18 to Holcomb Valley Road– Sierra Club, Big
Bear Group
9:30am, easy, 4 mile, little elevation gain. Great views of the desert as
we wind our way along this portion of the PCT and loop back to our
starting point with an easy cross country jaunt. Bring water, snacks,
layered clothing and hiking boots. We will meet at the Von’s parking lot
in Big Bear Lake. Register with hike leader Ed Wallace (909) 584-9407
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Cedar Pines Park Loop- Crestline area – MTHC
9am, moderate, 3 miles. A nice walk with great views. Bring water and
snacks. To register call or e-mail hike leader Barbara (909) 338-1253 or
barblev@verizon.net
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Santa Ana River Bottom -- Bird Walk – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8am. Meet at the Sierra Club office, 4079 Mission Ave., Riverside. Bill
will guide you to the birds. Breakfast at local restaurant after walk
optional. Leader Bill Engs, (909) 338-1910
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Green Valley Lake New Views Hike – MTHC
9am, moderate, elevation varies depending on trail. See the new views from
Green Valley since the fire last fall. The fired cleared away the
manzanita and buckthorn and has made new rock outcroppings reachable by
foot. Bring, water, snacks, layered clothing, and sturdy boots. Register
with hike leader Sandy (909) 867-7115
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her
weekly ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call
hike leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Cougar Crest Trail to Bertha Peak– Big Bear area- Sierra Club, Big Bear
group
9am, moderate/difficult, 6 miles, approx. 1,200 ft. elevation gain. We
will climb the Cougar Crest Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail and a short
but more difficult ascent to Bertha Peak at 8,500 ft. There you will have
360 degree view of the Bear Valley, Holcomb Valley and Mojave Desert,
making the extra effort well worth it. Sturdy boots and layered clothing
will help deal with the changing terrain and altitude. Bring water,
snacks, layered clothing, and sturdy boots. We will meet at the Von’s
Parking lot in Big Bear Lake. Call to register with Dick (909) 866-9232
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Lake Arrowhead North Shore Trail to Little Bear Creek – Sierra Club,
Mountains Group
9am, moderate, 5 miles, 600 ft. elevation gain. We will focus
on what is around us at the moment; sights and sounds of the forest and
our reactions to them. While on the trail, by talking about what we see,
hear and experience, we should be able to better appreciate what is out
there. Wear a hat and hiking boots. Bring water, snacks and lunch. Call
hike leader Bill Engs (909)
338-1910 for meeting place.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Keller Peak – Running Springs area – 7 Summits, Big Bear Outdoor
Activities
1pm, moderate/difficult, approx. 3-4 hours. Contact
www.bigbearoutdooractivities.com for more information
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Highway 18 to Bear Creek --Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:30am, difficult, 8 miles, 2,000 ft. elevation gain. This hike
takes us to the bottom of woodsy Bear Creek Canyon. We will lunch in the
shade along side babbling Bear Creek. Bring 2 qts. water, snacks, hat,
layered clothing, and hiking boots. We’ll meet at the Von’s parking lot
in Big Bear Lake at 8:30am. For information call Ed Wallace (909)
584-9407
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area -- MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Thursday May 8, 2008
Gold Mountain – Big Bear area – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9:00am, moderate, 6 - 8 miles, 1,000 - 1,200 ft. elevation
gain. This is a Peaks of Big Bear hike, which includes the 5 major peaks
overlooking Big Bear Valley. Those reaching all the 5 peaks will be
given a commemorative patch. We will access our destination from one of
the two 4 WD trails, from either Hwy 18 or Holcomb Valley Road. Bring
2-qts. water, snacks, layered clothing, hat, sunscreen, and sturdy
boots. National Forest Adventure Pass required for drivers. We will meet
in at the Von’s parking lot in Big Bear Lake. Call to register or learn
more with hike leader Dick Banks (909) 866-9232
Friday, May 9, 2008
Ash Meadows Road to the Lost Ranch – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
9am, easy, 5 miles, small elevation gain. We will walk on the
dirt road to the Lost Ranch for a tour and sack lunch. See the
improvements and the newly designated Lake Arrowhead Airport. Bring
water, snacks, lunch, hat and good walking shoes. Register with Mary
(909) 337-5850
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Forest Clean Up at Snow Valley – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
9am, annual clean up. Please help us clean up the mess left by the
snow-play visitors throughout the winter. Meet at Snow Valley Ski area
gate at 9am. Bring gloves, trash bags, sun screen and water. We will
haul the bags to the dump. For information call Chris (909) 878-4524
Saturday, May 10, 2008
San Bernardino Fire Ecology Walk – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
9am, easy to moderate, casual pace.
Join us for an outdoor exploration of how (and how well) our forest and
mountain environment is recovering from the devastating fires of 2003
and 2007. Depending on the conditions, we may decide to visit one or two
sites that exemplify this process. Our goal will be to enjoy the
outdoors and learn about it at the same time. Bring water, lunch, good
shoes, layered clothing and curiosity. National Forest Adventure Pass
needed for parking. Call hike leader Steve Farrell (661) 449-2867 for
meeting place and details.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pacific Crest Trail from Cleghorn Road to Interstate 15 at the Cajon
Pass – Sierra Club Mojave Group
8:00am, moderate/difficult, 11-12 miles, little elevation gain/loss.
Bring 2 - 3 qts. water, lunch/snacks, layered clothing and sturdy boots.
Meet at the McDonald’s restaurant on Interstate 15 and Hwy. 138. For
information call hike leader Terry at (760) 252-2194 or
oldhikerdude@verizon.net
Monday, May 12, 2008
Paddle of Newport’s Back Bay – Mountain Paddle Club
10am. Rentals maybe available from Paddle Power. Call David at (909)
519-7435 or
david@doingtheoutdoors.net for launch site and more information.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Pacific Crest Trail from Van Dusen Canyon to Polique Canyon – Big Bear
area -- MTHC
9am, easy/moderate, 7 miles, less then 500 ft. elevation gain. This is
the time of year when we are likely to see through hikers that are
attempting to complete the whole 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada on
the PCT. Bring water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, and good hiking boots. We
will meet at the Von’s parking lot in Big Bear City at 9am. Drivers will
need Adventure Passes for parking at the trailhead. Register with hike
leader Dick (909) 866-9232
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Exploration Trail, Children’s Forest – Running Springs area -- Sierra
Club, Mtns Group
9am, difficult, 9 miles, 1,500 ft. elevation loss and gain. The
Exploration Trail was constructed by the young people of the Children’s
Forest in 2002. The vegetation and the views change constantly as we
hike to the top and back. Bring 2 qts. water, lunch, ten essentials,
layer clothing and hiking boots are required. For information and
meeting place, call hike leader Billie Wolfe (909) 338-2534 or
bwolffer1@charter.net
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
6 Bits Loop – Snow Valley area – MTHC
8:30am, moderate, 6-7 miles, 600 ft. elevation gain. Great
scenic views, maybe wildflowers, and a possible look at Little Green
Valley. Bring water, snacks, hat, and sturdy shoes. National Forest
Adventure Pass required for trailhead parking. Register with hike leader
Jim, (909) 867-4465
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions.
(909) 337-6337
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Lake Arrowhead Hwy 173 to Deep Creek Hot Springs – MTHC
9am, moderate, 3 miles, 877 ft. elevation gain, short but challenging.
There are several areas that you have to be careful of your footing.
Arguably the prettiest destination on the mountain. Plan to spend some
time hanging out around the creek and hot springs. Bring water, snacks,
layered clothing, hat, and good hiking boots. Register will hike leader
Jerry (909) 337-7573 or
jjsavages@charter.net
Friday, May 16, 2008
Special Event – Search and Rescue presentation plus an Arboretum Walk –
MTHC
9:30am, easy, 2 miles, 50 ft. elevation gain. Arboretum walk should have
wildflowers then a 10:30am presentation by a volunteer of the Rim of the
World Search and Rescue Team on getting lost, how to avoid it, and what
to do if it happens to you. Noon sack lunch if you wish to stay. Bring
water, snacks, a sack lunch and a folding chair. National Forest
Adventure Pass required for parking at the Arboretum. Public Invited! No
registration necessary. For more information call Jackie (909) 867-4465
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Spring Bird Walk , Lake Gregory – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8am, easy. See the new spring arrivals and year ‘round residents as we
walk around Lake Gregory. Optional breakfast afterwards. Meet at the
South Shore Parking lot at Lake Gregory, Crestline. Hike leader Bill
Engs, (909) 338-1910
Saturday – Sunday, May
17-18, 2008
Backpack to Johns Meadow Trail Camp – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8 mile round trip backpack in the San Gorgonio Wilderness provides and
early conditioning trip and is suitable for those that would like to try
backpacking for the first time. Backpacks and some tents available on a
first come first serve bases. For first timers we will schedule a
pre-trip meeting. Space is limited. Call leader Ed Wallace (909)
584-9407 or co-leader Bill Wolff (909) 338-2534 for more information.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Paddle on Big Bear Lake – Mountain Paddle Club
9am. Jim Dooley is leading the first of the Paddle Club’s monthly Sunday
mornings on Big Bear Lake. We will be leaving from Captain John’s
Fawnskin Marina. Call marina for rentals. Register with Jim or Janet at
(909) 866-3414 or
dooley@hughes.net
Sunday, May 18, 2008
“Try and Catch the Full Moon Holcomb Valley Gold Fever Trail” – Sierra
Club, Big Bear
3pm, moderate, 5 miles, 240 ft. elevation gain, 3-4 hours. This
is a new series of hikes covering Holcomb Valley. The almost full moon
rises at 7:02 pm and we should catch it near the end of our hike. After
the hike, we will go back to B’s Backyard BBQ for dinner and drinks.
Bring water, snacks, hiking boots, layered clothing and a flashlight or
headlamp. Meet at the Von’s parking lot in Big Bear Lake at 3pm. For
information call Robbie Bos at (909) 866-5006
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mountain Paddle Club paddle, meeting, and potluck.
3pm to 6:30pm. We’ll be meeting at Captain John’s Fawnskin Marina for a
paddle and will eat our picnic potluck there also. Bring a dish to
share, plate and utensils. Rental boats will be available for the
paddle. Otherwise bring boat, equipment, and Big Bear Lake permit.
Register with David or Caroline at (909) 519-7435 or
david@doingtheoutdooors.net
Monday, May 19, 2008
Moonlight Paddle on Big Bear Lake – MTHC
6:30pm. We are starting our Moonlight Paddles (8 brave souls went the
other night).
We will leave from Captain John’s Fawnskin Marina. Check with Captain
John’s to see if rental boats will be available. Otherwise bring boat,
equipment, and Big Bear Lake permit. Register with David or Caroline at
(909) 519-7435 or
david@doingtheoutdooors.net
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Forsee Creek Trailhead to Jackstraw Springs – MTHC
9am, strenuous, 8 miles, 2400 ft. elevation gain. This will provide a
good workout. Bring 2-3 qts. water, snacks, layered clothing, hat,
sunscreen, and good hiking boots. Because a Wilderness Pass is required,
please call in advance. We will meet at the Von’s parking lot in Big
Bear Lake at 9am. Register with hike leader Ed by May 16th, (909)
584-9407
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area -- MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Delamar Peak – Big Bear area- Sierra Club, Big Bear group
9:00am, moderate, 6-7 miles,
approx. 1,000 ft. elevation gain. Moderate 6 to 7 mile hike on the
PCT from Polique Canyon Road to a trail that accesses Delamar Peak.
This will be followed by a short but steep hike to the Peak from
there. This is a Peaks of Big Bear hike, which includes the 5 major
peaks overlooking Big Bear Valley. Those reaching all the 5 peaks will
be given a commemorative patch. Bring water, snacks, clothing
appropriate to the conditions of the hike, and sturdy boots. National
Forest Adventure Pass required for drivers at trailhead. We will meet
at the Von’s Parking lot in Big Bear Lake at 9:00am. Call Dick Banks
(909) 866-9232 for information and to register.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Lake Arrowhead North Shore to Willow Creek — MTHC
9am, moderate, 7.3 miles, 684 elevation gain. We will walk
the sewer road to a dirt road, to a motorcycle trail to Willow Creek.
Nice destination with rocks to sit and eat our snacks. Bring water,
snacks, sun hat, sunscreen, and hiking boots. Register with hike
leader Jerry (909) 337-7573 or
jjsavages@charter.net
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rambles Hike – Lake Arrowhead area – MTHC
8:30am, easy. Carol will pick an interesting scenic area for her weekly
ramble. Bring water and snacks and good walking shoes. Please call hike
leader Carol for location and weather conditions. (909) 337-6337
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Gray’s Peak – Sierra Club, Big Bear Group
8:30am, moderate/difficult, 7 miles, 1120 ft. elevation gain. This is a
Peaks of Big Bear hike, which includes the 5 major peaks overlooking Big
Bear Valley. Those reaching all the 5 peaks will be given a
commemorative patch. The trailhead is located on the west side of Hwy
38; 6/10 of a mile west of Fawnskin, across from the Grout Bay picnic
area. National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking. Bring
2-3 qts. water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, layered
clothing and good hiking boots. We will meet at the trialhead. For
further information call hike leader Ed Wallace (909) 584-9407
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Walk Around Lake Arrowhead – MTHC
8:30am, moderate, 7-8 miles, small elevation gain but many. many uneven
steps.
We will walk all the way around Lake Arrowhead, some will be on a dirt
trail and some on paved road. Bring water, snacks, good walking shoes,
hat, layered clothing and money for lunch in Lake Arrowhead Village.
Register with Mary (909) 337-5850
Future Dates:
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Annual Forest Festival sponsored by the Sierra Club, Mountains
Group
It will be located in Blue Jay Village at the old Ice Castle site.
Saturday – Sunday, May
17-18, 2008
Backpack to Johns Meadow Trail Camp – Sierra Club, Mountains Group
8 mile round trip backpack in the San Gorgonio Wilderness provides and
early conditioning trip and is suitable for those that would like to try
backpacking for the first time. Backpacks and some tents available on a
first come first serve bases. For first timers we will schedule a pre-trip
meeting. Space is limited. Call leader Ed Wallace (909) 584-9407 or
co-leader Bill Wolff (909) 338-2534 for more information.
The following is a breakdown of hikes that The Mountain Top Hiking Club will be offering along our section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail is broken into 16 segments that can be comfortably hiked in a day. They vary from easy to very strenuous. Please look for the segments in the regular hiking schedule at:
www.mountaintophiking.com
Some will be offered more than once over the course of the year. Most of the PCT hikes are shuttle trips.
0. Whitewater
1. Mission Creek Trail Camp – 14.0miles, Very strenuous
2. Coon Creek Jump Off – 6.6 miles, moderate
3. Onyx Summit – 5.7 miles, moderate
4. 2N02 – 9.4 miles, strenuous
5. Dump RD. 3N08 – 6.2 miles, moderate
6. Van Dusen Road 3N09 – 6.9 miles, moderate
7. 3N12 – 6.3 miles, moderate
8. Little Bear Springs – 4.4 miles, easy
9. Crab Flats Road – 6.5 miles, moderate
10. Deep Creek Bridge –
6.0 miles, moderate
11. Devils Hole – 5.0 miles round trip, easy
12. Mojave River Dam – 13.0 miles, Very strenuous
13. Cedar Springs Dam – 9.4 miles, strenuous
14. Silverwood Entrance – 6.0 miles, moderate
15. Silverwood Lake to Elliot Road – 9 miles, strenuous
16. Crowder Canyon (Elliot Road to Cajon Pass) – 4.5 miles, moderate