Friday 11/7 Off the Pavement Run – Big Bear Front Range

Meet-Up Time: Friday @ 9 AM (Highway 330 turnoff / City Creek Trailhead) (34.17693185080825, -117.15381803533752)
Wrap-Up: Clarks Summit → Big Bear Tulip Lane late afternoon ??? (34.23545664702932, -116.92887429032407)

This Friday, a few of us ... Phobiac, @MrWiggleBottom , and Luis are heading off the pavement for a spontaneous Grenadier excursion. You know what we always say… the more Grenadiers, the greater the adventure.

Planned Route (Even the best laid plans deserve a detour):
1N09 – City Creek Road
Starting right off Highway 330, this hidden gem winds across the front of the Big Bear range. It’s a mellow 22-mile run with several creek crossings and gorgeous forest views, perfect for a relaxed trail day or easy overland shakedown.

1N54 – Clarks Grade
From there, we’ll climb Clarks Grade ... a classic 4×4 trail with a 3,000 ft elevation gain and a mix of decomposed granite, ruts, and rock gardens. The route climbs to Skyline (2N10), ending near Tulip Lane in Big Bear.

Bring radios, recovery gear, and good vibes. This one’s about exploring, not conquering...

Don't forget to bring your lunch...

If you’ve been itching to get some dirt under your Grenadier’s tires, this is your sign.

Comment below if you’re in.

I'll be out of town

have fun!!

A couple of pics from this run, started at the 1N09 City Creek Trail entrance off Highway 330. The route’s in great shape overall, a well-maintained forest road that winds through pines, ridgelines, water crossings, and plenty of views.

About 17 miles in, Deer Creek was washed out just enough to make things interesting...nothing wild, but a fun detour to get around. Clark’s Grade (1N54) was in rougher condition than usual, which made for an awesome climb. One seriously eroded switchback kept everyone honest.

Unfortunately, the gate at the top of Clark’s Grade was locked, so we couldn’t punch through to Big Bear...we turned around, and dropped all the way back down a fun descent with the sunset lighting up the valley.

Good crew, good vibes, and just enough challenge to make it a day we’ll remember. These are the kind of runs that remind you why we overland - trail dust, a few surprises, Luis's pizza, locked gates, and stories that stick.