RR: Exploration Trail, Arrowbear, CA.

[dstepper]

Exploration Trail - San Bernardino National Forest, nearest town – Arrowbear, CA. Starting elevation about 6,100ft, highest 7400+ft.

I have drove by this trail dozens of times on my way to Big Bear. I have dismissed it because it was near or part of the Children’s Demonstration Forest and I thought that it was going to be some type of easy or paved interruptive trail. I was wrong it is a JEWEL.

I parked just off Highway 18 were Keller Peak Road meets the Highway 18. The lower trailhead is a couple hundred feet off the Highway. I climbed up Keller Peak Road for about 4 miles to the upper trailhead. It was a very easy climb (1200-1400ft) that took me about 45 minutes.

The trail is decomposed granite so it is sandy in places, it reminds me of the Mt. Hilyer boulder area on the Chilao ride. For the most part, this is not a fast downhill…the trail is tight and weaves in-out and up-down and around rocks…you cannot get up much speed because you don’t see were the trail is going next. You got to carry some speed on the whoop-de-doos or you will not make it up the other side…it is too steep and loose to pedal up. This is a very fun somewhat technical trail. You can tell that the people that maintain and built this trail, built it for hiking. They have armored the waterbars with granite, but instead of using larger rocks they have used very narrow granite rocks buried in the dirt standing up on end. I was being careful to un-weight my back tire but still pinched flatted once. I blame that on not riding the rigid bike enough and getting lazy on the bark-a-lounger. Someone rides this trail because I saw weathered braking ruts, but no other bike tires prints. This trail probably get lots of weekend hikers[FONT=Times New Roman]. [/FONT]

[Von-Skipp]

Good work Steppie for scoping out new trails. Is it worth going back for you? The pics look kinda fun.

[dstepper]

Way worth the stop, maybe not worth the drive from Laguna for a 8 mile, 2 hour loop. It is way up there on the fun factor...nothing like it on the coast. Above 6000 ft so it seemed cool up there today maybe 80 degrees, with a nice cool breeze. Next time up and back on the singletrack, no pavement climb.

[gurp13]

Any way to combine it with other nearby rides for a decent half day of riding or something? It looks fun.

[dstepper]

It is right next to the Nordic Ski Area at Snow Valley...the upper trail head is very close to the top chairlift at Snow Valley. There are some firebreaks that go in that direction they don't look like much fun to ride.

I have never been to Rim Nordic but a number of people raced there when we did the Plunge. Could continue on to Grout Bay singletrack in Fawnskin or play at Snow Summit in Big Bear. I am ready for a lift day at Big Bear.

Glen, if I lived where you do, I would be on that trail all the time.

Another mile and a half up past the upper trailhead will get you to Keller Peak Fire Lookout....nice views, if it is clear out.

[gurp13]

And, if I had the job you do, I'd live where you do.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Originally Posted by gurp13

And, if I had the job you do, I'd live where you do.

Me too!

[ka0t1c07]

yeah, me too, and Ill ride every day. Haha

[stjunkie]

Was it 4 miles of downhill from the top? Would it make a good night ride on the way up to Big Bear?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by stjunkie

Was it 4 miles of downhill from the top? Would it make a good night ride on the way up to Big Bear?

The downhill was about 4 miles. Would be a great night ride. I would want a helmet light, the turns are tight with about 6 switchbacks. The trail is straight foward with no forks until you get almost to the bottom. Then you come to two areas that cross fireroads; the trail could be a problem to find again at night. Even during the daylight, the lack of bike tire tracks across the fireroads had me searching for singletrack.

Scott, the trail is very rideable as a up and back and you could park at Deer Lick Fire Station so no one would screw with your truck.

Note: There are dozens of legal camping sites along Keller Peak Road.

[RidetheRAAM4]

Trail looks awesome, I'm sure there are more trails near the area, but you would have to ride that one, drive for a few minutes, then unload and ride again, just so people who are driving far can get a few good san bernardino forest trails in