Natural History Wanderings

I spent several days at Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains Wednesday–Friday.

First, it should be noted the main road to Big Bear , Hwy 18, is closed all day (8-4) for maintenance and the alternate route, Hwy 38 out of the Redlands area also has maintenance ongoing causing extended delays.

Big Bear itself, at 6800 foot elevation, was cool during the day, (60’s in the sun) and cold at night (mid 30’s). The entire area is very commercial and developed with lodges, real estate offices, restaurants, and ski shops.

There are a number of forest service roads that lead into the backcountry but are not recommended for the family sedan (I have a 4×4 which was fine, no 4 wheel drive needed). Check at the Discovery Center on the north lakeshore for maps and information.

As far as fall color, well, not much to offer. The campground I stayed in, Pine Knot, had many oaks that were at 75-100% color mixed among pines and afforded some photo opportunities. (The campground closes for the season at the end of October) Otherwise the only other noteworthy color I saw was along the lower reaches of Mill Creek Road with some very nice ferns and meadows which lead to the forest service Skyline Drive, FS road 2N10, a graded dirt road with some nice views but little if any color.