The Exploration Trail

As some of you know, I am having surgery on Tuesday and won't be able to do a whole lot for a few weeks.  As a last hurrah of sorts, my wife and I took the boys on one of our favorite hikes.  It's funny, because we hadn't done this hike in a few years and couldn't remember where it was.  I can't seem to find any of my photos from other times we did it.  It took 2 hours last week of Googling and guessing and finally, I can present to you, The Exploration Trail...

Good Times

The day starts with grabbing our Adventure Pass.  Your pass is honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. You can purchase an annual pass for $80 or a day pass for $5.  The funds go directly back into maintaining the land you're about to enjoy.

So, The Exploration Trail is located near Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains.  You can grab your Adventure Pass at the Valero near the trailhead.  The trail is 4.5 miles one way and can be done as an in and back or as a shuttle trail. It's located at the base of Keller Peak and offers stunning views of the valleys between the mountains.  It's a relatively easy hike as far as grade goes and there are offerings of shade scattered about.  There's a dry creek that runs around it and I imagine it floods during winter months.  The nice thing about this trail is that it was designed by kids.  If they can do it, so can you.

Now, I must confess, we have never done the full 9 mile in and out.  Why?  Well, it's called the exploration trail.  It's loaded with rocky piles and hills to explore.

We usually get 1/4 to 1/2 way in before we eat our picnic lunch and explore rocks by climbing.

Then we hit several rocky piles on the way back.  We climb higher and higher, which is not necessary for the trail but we love doing it.  I encourage you to hike in as far as you'd like and explore laterally.  You'll love it.

There is so much on the trail we haven't seen but so much we have that other people have not.  Go check it out for yourself.

Just remember:

1.  Take PLENTY of water.
2.  Check trail conditions before heading up.  This area is subject to floods.
3.  Hike together or let someone know where you're going and when they should expect you back.
4. Pack out anything you pack in.  DO NOT LITTER.  I hate people that litter.
5.  Don't overdue it.  Know your limits but be willing to push yourself.
6.  Have fun!