San Bernardino National Forest

[travisw1973]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience or info on riding in the San Bernardino National Forest area. Here is what I found on the US Forest Service site.


Snowmobile use is permitted in two locations:
Coon Creek area, off State Highway 38 above Barton Flats / Angelus Oaks - Riding is permitted on Forest Roads 1N02 and 1N05. Users must call the Mill Creek Ranger Station at (909) 382-2881 to check conditions and obtain permit.

Running Springs / Arrowbear Area off State Highway 18- Riding is permitted on Forest Road 1N96 Keller Peak Road. Users must call the Skyforest Ranger Station at (909) 382- 2782 to check conditions and get directions.


Snowmobile Rules on the San Bernardino National Forest•Must ride on designated routes - no open travel permitted

•Must have current green/red sticker registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles

•Must be equipped with a functioning and United States Forest Service approved Spark Arrester

•Haul vehicles and trailers must not block gates or roadways

•Snow must be greater than one (1) foot in depth

•Be "Avalanche Aware" – Learn the basics at the Forest Service Avalanche Center.

 

[donbrown]

Keller Peak road is a 9 mile ride with many , many people at the entrance.

Coon Creek area, off State Highway 38 above Barton Flats / Angelus Oaks is less than an hour from Big Bear High school.

There are 20 plus miles of ungroomed trails there which are roads to public and private land.

We found no area to ride in a field or even campsite without hitting buried railroad ties used for borders as walkways and streets.

Trails underneath was asphalt road and went for at least 10 miles plus. On the map there are about 30 plus miles of road to ride.

Biggest hassle is trying to park because everyong from LA parks at the two entrances to play in the snow.

You have to fill out many forms to ride along with copies of insurance and registration for sleds and trailer.

 

[GarlandM8]

Alot of what Don said is true. Only trails are legal and some of the access can be a pain at times. It's a good area if you're somewhat local and can do it for a day trip to just get out. Also a good area to bring friends, kids, spouse, etc....to practice ride somewhere less congested.

These are the areas I've talked to the FS and where they want our club to Adopt. Alot of the funky rules have been in place from past OHV coordinators that either didn't like snowmobiling and felt that there wasn't enough usage to warrant any type of snowmobile program. The present management is very big on OHV use and volunteer programs, and have a great program with the motorcycle and Jeep clubs. They want to expand the snow program and that's why they approached the club to get some feedback and to see that there is a need for snowmobiling opportunities.

They'd like for us to get out there and ride some Saturdays... make contacts with other riders, and show a count on how many may use the area. Help with installing snow signs and locate the wilderness boundries in the area, etc...

This being the building blocks on getting better access/staging areas, and less paperwork and headaches to get out there. I've mentioned to them that calling to get a combo for the gate and doing paperwork should go away.... most employees don't even know anything about the redtape needed when you call the Mill Creek RS. Just let us ride like any other green sticker vehicle on the forest.

We show that there is a true organized need for our type of recreation on the SBNF, we'll get to working out the bugs in the present situation, and even had talks on expanding to other areas in the forest when snow depths allow.

This is all in it's infancy, and alot to be seen in the next season or so, but it's a chance to make something good........ things will just stay the same or get worse if we do nothing..

 

[travisw1973]

Thanks Don and Mike for all the information. Have been looking for someplace close for the kids, they hate long drives. Sounds like it can be a pain with all the procedures, I will just have to give it a try and see for myself.

Mike I figured those were the trails you were talking about, called them Sat. but not enough snow although they say it might be good this week with the snow they are suposed to get. Maybe give it a try this weekend if they have the snow.

 

[donbrown]

Thanks Don and Mike for all the information. Have been looking for someplace close for the kids, they hate long drives. Sounds like it can be a pain with all the procedures, I will just have to give it a try and see for myself.

Mike I figured those were the trails you were talking about, called them Sat. but not enough snow although they say it might be good this week with the snow they are suposed to get. Maybe give it a try this weekend if they have the snow.

The paperwork is lots and has to be filed prior to sledding on the trail. Took a week to get papers mailed and returned then have permits mailed back.

 

[GarlandM8]

Not looking very promising on any big snow upcoming..

Travis (FS contact) is back from vacation next week and wants to get out there with us (depending on snow conditions) as soon as we can get a date set. He'll come out and ride with us and talk on projects, needs, wants, etc........ When this happens we won't have to mess with any paperwork, any hopefully get that mess waived when we go out there anytime, as we'll be considered FS volunteers..... just give him a call when we are planning to go there and ride. We're also covered under their insurance when riding there under the Adopt-A-Trail volunteer agreement.

 

[travisw1973]

A little more snow would be nice.

Called the forest service and was told all I need to do is show them my liscense and they will give me a permit, the lady even double checked while on the phone so who knows.

Mike I am available almost any time the next couple weeks, especially weekends, can also provide an extra sled if needed.

 

[James6000]

Not looking very promising on any big snow upcoming..

Travis (FS contact) is back from vacation next week and wants to get out there with us (depending on snow conditions) as soon as we can get a date set. He'll come out and ride with us and talk on projects, needs, wants, etc........ When this happens we won't have to mess with any paperwork, any hopefully get that mess waived when we go out there anytime, as we'll be considered FS volunteers..... just give him a call when we are planning to go there and ride. We're also covered under their insurance when riding there under the Adopt-A-Trail volunteer agreement.

Mike,
Would be good if we could setup kinda reserved parking especially since we would go after a dumping and we know what that does for the tourist situation, gridlock chaos etc.

 

[GarlandM8]

Mike,
Would be good if we could setup kinda reserved parking especially since we would go after a dumping and we know what that does for the tourist situation, gridlock chaos etc.

Not sure how that could be saved or enforced, but something to look into. These are questions/concerns that we can bring up, along with better staging areas, etc....

They have mentioned about the cabins they have in the area that we can use when doing volunteer time, but wether it's plowed for tow vehicles to access is something we'll have to look at.

I'm really hoping for a good storm soon to get out there with them and talk about some of these ideas....... so keep our fingers crossed for winter to get here and plan from there.