Exploration Trail, Running Springs

[wildeez]

Just a heads up, last Friday halfway down the trail I spotted a Brown Bear the size of my Audi A3 on the trail. Keep eyes open if you're riding.

[dstepper]

Thanks for the headsup, may be Yellow Post camping there next weekend.

Dean

[jeffj]

nevermind...

[ghixon]

Saw him this morning as well right around 8:30 am - approx. 1.5 miles from the top near Children's Forest.

[wildeez]

He's huge isn't he. Anyway I'll be riding there tomorow around 4:00 pm.

[Jman]

A somewhat ignorant question here but will a bear chase a mtn biker like a mountain lion might?

[osmarandsara]

Exploration Trail in Running Springs? Hummm....how long is it, single-track, fire-road, technical?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by osmarandsara

Exploration Trail in Running Springs? Hummm....how long is it, single-track, fire-road, technical?

Pavement climb, singletract decent. Not very long, maybe a 6-8 mile loop. Easy shuttle, off Keller Peak Road right behind Deer Link Vistor Center...in between Arrowbear and Running Springs. Not on the maps, trail is only 2-3 years old, not tech. Excellent night ride, hope to fit it in next weekends plans.

Dean

[Abui]

Black bears (of any color) are timid animals. I've chased them away from trails and camps.

[Vader]

Shuttle? Ride up the road? I thought only the roadies TT the road to the fire tower. The trail isn't that steep. Seriously though, mountain bikers are being watched on this trail. There have been complaints of us running other trail users off the trail, and too many of us are using it as a closed course DH run. This is a heavily used multi use trail, with a ton of hikers, equestrians and dog walkers. The local Cub Scouts do the trail maintenance. This is the only multi use trail that mtbers are allowed on west of Big Bear(not counting AO.). Lets use our heads and educate other mtbers. If we get kicked off this trail, the closest to my house, I will have no choice but to give up on 25+ years of being a mtb trail ambassador and poach the only other singletrack within riding distance; the PCT.

[ghixon]

Well said. I actually do a bit of trail maintenance everytime I ride Exploration especially at the 3 switchbacks coming up from the fire road. There seems to be a band of local kids on crap bikes that are causing the problems. I ran across them last week and wanted to give them flats after passing them.

I'm gone this week on business, but anyone want to do a trail day in the coming weeks. I have a good relationship wit the local rangers and they're always up for help when they can get it.

Originally Posted by Vader

Shuttle? Ride up the road? I thought only the roadies TT the road to the fire tower. The trail isn't that steep. Seriously though, mountain bikers are being watched on this trail. There have been complaints of us running other trail users off the trail, and too many of us are using it as a closed course DH run. This is a heavily used multi use trail, with a ton of hikers, equestrians and dog walkers. The local Cub Scouts do the trail maintenance. This is the only multi use trail that mtbers are allowed on west of Big Bear(not counting AO.). Lets use our heads and educate other mtbers. If we get kicked off this trail, the closest to my house, I will have no choice but to give up on 25+ years of being a mtb trail ambassador and poach the only other singletrack within riding distance; the PCT.

[osmarandsara]

Sounds as if this trail is close enough to RimNordic so that you can ride both on the same day.......how long of a ride is this if one were to climb up the Exploration Trail and then continue on the road to the watch tower?

[dstepper]

Very close to Rim Nordic. I have been told and I can see on Google Earth dirt connects to get between Rim Nordic and Keller Peak Road thru the Snow Valley Ski area. I have never tried it but locals says they do it all the time.

It is maybe another mile from the Exploration Trail upper trailhead to Keller Peak Lookout.

Dean