Description
An easy trail for everyone in the club to enjoy.
This is a very scenic drive for any stock 4x4. We will climb Radford Truck trail (2N06) up to Skyline Drive (2N10). This is a shelf road with beautiful views. On Skyline Drive we will stop and walk (1/4 mile round trip) up to Snow Summit for views of Big Bear Lake. We will stop for lunch along Skyline Drive before heading down Clark’s Grade (1N54). Clark’s Grade is rated moderate and is a little rocky but no problem for a stock 4x4. Next we will head down to Seven Pines before heading back toward the trail head. Along the way we will stop at the head of the Santa Ana River. During the trip we will climb from a little over 6000 feet to over 8000’ then down to about 4000’. Along the way there will be 8 to 10(count ‘em!) water crossings. We may also see plenty of California natives, including quail, hawks, deer and speeding mountain bikers!
We will leave from Stater Brother’s in Mentone at 0830. There is a McD’s there for breakfast and you can get really good deli sandwiches at Stater Brother’s. Please be there with a full tank of gas. The trailhead is at 38N and Front Line Road (34°10'14.42"N, 116°49'34.26"W). We should be at the trailhead between 0915 and 0930.
Officially an Adventure pass is required if we recreate like stopping for lunch along the trail and hiking. I keep a couple of day passes in my Jeep in case someone comes by and checks. You can get an Adventure pass at any Ranger station, Big 5, Sports Authority or Sport Chalet store. A day pass is $5. The annual pass is $30 and good in all National Forests.
Location
Rendezvous @ Stater Brothers in Mentone
91E to 215N to 10E to University St exit
turn left onto N University St for about a mile then right on E. Lugonia Ave for about 1.6 miles to Stater Brothers on the right. There is a Circle K at the corner just beyond Stater Brother’s. ARCO and Vallero are a little farther up on the left.
From Stater Brother’s it’s about 27.5 miles up 38N to the trailhead.