As the only remaining front-country area that wasn't consumed by the recent Grand-Prix and Old fires, Mill Creek is seeing quite an increase in OHV Volunteer patrol activity, both because it has convenient access to us flatlanders, increasing use by forest visitors, and because there is increased emphasis on trying to keep it from burning.

Early morning view towards Big Bear

Looking towards 7 Oaks Dam and Riverside

On this particular day, we had two different patrol groups, a 4X4 patrol lead by Jim and Cathy Coombs, and a motorcycle patrol headed by Steve Schumacher. Joining Steve on the patrol were Jerry Snow, myself and two prospective new volunteers that Steve had brought along to show what volunteerism was all about.

Steve had decided to lead to patrol up the mountain on 3N06 to Big Bear, and then return via Clark's Grade. This was going to be an interesting ride because a recent storm had dumped snow on the Big Bear area, and we would be riding through some of that. Freshly fallen snow is actually a lot of fun on a motorcycle, not unlike riding in deep sand, but with plenty of white rooster tails. Once the snow sits for a couple of days, however, it becomes much more of a challenge as ice tends to form on the ground under the snow, making for sudden slide outs and a closer look at the white stuff.

Jerry had some trouble with the traffic lights coming through San Bernardino and managed to just catch us before we departed. I his desire not to delay the start, he decided to leave his short boots on instead of changing into the taller and more water proof riding boots. He was going to regret that decision once we reached the snow.

Our band of 5 riders stops on road to forest outlook

Steve pauses to take a picture

We soon found ourselves on 1N12, a bladed dirt road that parallels SR-38 and eventually rejoins it at Angelus Oaks. We made our way up this road until we reached the intersection with 1S13 that leads up the fire outlook at Morton Peak. After waiting awhile for the 4 Wheelers to come along, we decided that we should probably take advantage of the inherent higher speeds of the motorcycles and proceed on our own patrol. We radioed the others to tell them of our decision, and then we were off to Angelus Oaks and breakfast for some of the riders. The road was easy riding and we soon reached Angelus Oaks and the welcome of he restaurant and the general store located there. After stopping for some breakfast bars and a cup of coffee to cut the cold, we resumed our ride, with the intention of making a loop up to the Big Bear area. We jumped on Middle Control Road and took it to Seven Oaks Road.

We encounter some bear hunters on the way

A successful hunt 300 lb Sow, good eating we're told

As we were traveling down the Middle Control road we ran into a couple of pickups with very unique loads. Each was sporting a container that looked like a kennel, complete with dog heads sticking out of holes or staring out behind bars. On the top of one of these kennels were two dogs that appeared to have radio transmitter (or receiver) collars while atop the other was a set of paws with rather long and ugly claws. We stopped and chatted with these folks, finding that they were very friendly bear hunters who were in search of a dog that they had lost during a recent hunt.

They proudly showed us the sow that they had killed, and noted that the animal weighed some 300 pounds. Apparently they use the dogs to find and run the animal up into a tree where they can come along and shoot it. While this is not my idea of sport, they seemed to really enjoy it and noted that bear meat was extremely good eating. They told us that bear hunting is permitted in the national forest on a permit basis, and that they come to this area whenever they have the chance. After some minutes of conversation and curious questions we parted ways and continued on our patrol.

Jerry Snow Tracks through white stuff on the mountaintop

Steve and newcomers confer on riding techniques

Near the end of this road we transitioned to 2N06 (Radford Road) that climbs through the Converse Creek area. As we wound up the mountain we began to hit the snow dropped by the first storm of the season (The one that had slowed the Grand Prix and Old Fires long enough to allow fire fighters to get a line around and eventually extinguish them.) The higher we climbed, the deeper and more troublesome the snow became. We all managed to slide out several times a get a real close look at the white stuff, but Jerry was having a real time with the altitude and the bulk of the 650 Suzuki that he rides. Fortunately, he had traded the dual sport tires that he used to run for genuine knobbies or I fear he would have had to turn back.

At any rate, we eventually made it the intersection of 2N06 with 2N10 (Skyline Drive) that leads to backside of the Bear Mountain Ski area and Moonridge developments. As we motored by the ski lifts, we could see the skiers enjoying the early winter bounty of snow, although you could tell that the area operators had been augmenting natures bounty with snow of the man made variety. From there it was a quick trip on paved streets to Big Bear and the warmth and comfort of lunch at the trendy French Restaurant, Jacques en Ze Box.

Our intrepid group poses in front of upscale BB eatery

Oh boy more deep snow to slog our way through

We debated about how we were going to return to Mill Creek Station, either retracing the path we had just taken or continuing with our original plan to connect with Clark's Grade (1N54) and return via a different route. One of our ride-alongs intimated that he had told his wife he would leave no later than 2 PM in our to be home in plenty of time to take his wife out to dinner to celebrate his birthday. I also knew that Jerry's feet were a little wet and cold from his encounter with the snow we hit on the way up, but eventually we decided to press on with our original route.

Finally we begin to see our way to some clear trail

As we dropped down the snow began to disappear

In order to hook up with 1N54, we continued on along Big Bear Blvd until we came to Mill Creek Road (2N10), which quickly turned from a paved road between the houses, to dirt

road and thence to a snow covered dirt road. While the road we had taken up was relatively virgin snow, the route to Clarke's Grade had been traversed by several 4X4s, which made the riding even more interesting.

Each time we needed to cross from one side of the road to the other, we had to cross the icy ruts that the passage of the larger vehicles had created. It seemed like you had a 50-50 chance of getting across safely or winding up on the ground. Some of us spent a good deal of time on the ground. With the altitude and our general state physical readiness, the heft of the Suzukis (mine and Jerry's) soon began to take their toll. On the positive side, the "magic buttons" (electric starters) made the chore of starting the stalled and often flooded machines less of a chore, but muscling them into an upright position left us winded and weak.

At one point, Jerry and I contemplated turning back and making our way back into town, but Steve was always there, encouraging us and pointing out that we had less snow to slog through if we went forward than if we turned around. Eventually, we encountered some hunters that gave Jerry a ride to the intersection of 2N10 and 1N54 while I followed behind on my bike. They then gave me a ride back to where Steve had left his bike and walked back to get Jerry's machine. I jumped on Jerry's bike, and with Steve leading the way, we managed to make our way to where Jerry was patiently waiting.

A stunning view of Old Grey Back greets us from the trail

Some fall color & dead pines along Clark's Grade

Fortunately, from this intersection the road began to drop off the mountain very quickly, and we soon found ourselves dropping out of the snow and back onto the wonderfully moist and traction laden roads that we had enjoyed in the morning. When he didn't have to paddle through ankle deep snow, Jerry took the lead and made all haste to get back to warmth and comfort of the facilities at Angelus Oaks. We took advantage of the excellent traction and made double quick time back down the roads toward civilization. Fortunately it was getting late and we only encountered two vehicles on the entire trip back.

Scenery from Clark's Grade to Angelus Oaks

A little meadow we passed on the way home

When the welcome light of the Angelus Oaks restaurant came into view, we quickly dismounted and rushed in, order steaming cups of coffee to chase away the chill. Jerry immediately peeled off his frozen boots & soaking stockings, placing them near a big pot bellied stove that was pumping out enough heat to warm the whole place. We ordered a sumptuous feast of home made chili and corn bread. Jerry's boots were finally warm and dry, and his socks were positively steaming when he put them back on. Following this up with a slice of mountain berry pie a la mode, we were finally feeling warm enough to brave the cold and dark trip down the highway to the Mill Creek Ranger Station. After turning in our radios and our hours, we loaded up the bikes for the trip home. Now we are a little bit wiser but none the worse for our experience on the trails of Big Bear.

Our Mill Creek ride route is shown is yellow highlight - click for larger map