Cougar Crest Trail/Bertha Peak Wine & Cheese Hike

Posted by salmon_lov on Nov 4, 2006
Page Views: 442

Date: On Nov 5, 2006
Location: United States
City or Place: 40971 SHORE DR N FAWNSKIN, CA 92314
Skill Level: Intermediate
Categories: Hiking
Partner Status: Will accept Partners

Weather Update as of 11/1/06 it will be beautiful w/ mostly sunny skies and high in the mid 60's. The start of the walk may be a little chilly

Hey All
Lets all enjoy the mountains before they get covered in snow and have a little wine and cheese doing it too

Summary: Breathtaking views (and a climb requiring breath to be taken!!) are "de rigeur" along the Cougar Crest Trail, located north of Big Bear Lake. Are trail will start at the Discovery Center http://www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com/ and not the Cougar Crest Trail (NO ADVENTURE PASS NEEDED HERE) we will walk west .5 mile on a paved trail over to the Cougar Crest Trail there we will head up the well-marked and generally in good condition trail until reaching a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. From there will turn east .5 miles up a satisfying and cardiovascular challenge to Bertha Peak, at an elevation 8201 ft. On a clear day, the Mojave Desert can be seen in the distance, and the views of San Gorgonio, Holcomb Valley, and (of course) Big Bear Lake are absolutely awesome.

Highlights: Magnificent views
Near: North shores of Big Bear Lake
Trailhead: Discovery Center
Start time: 9:30am
Elevation Gain: 1500ft
Hike Time: 3hrs or so
Difficulty: moderate
Hike Type: Out & back

AGAIN, this is a wine and cheese hike and the whole premises behind this type of event is to share and have a good time
Weather: It should be on the cool side and i will keep ya all in tune if anything changes
Direction:
Take Interstate 10 East, to the 30 freeway North, to Highway 330 East. Highway 330 becomes Highway 18 at Running Springs. Proceed on Highway 18 East to the Big Bear Lake Dam. At the yield sign, proceed straight, through Fawnskin, to the entrance of the Big Bear Discovery Center.

Here's a link from Localhikes.com for the same hike of course w/out the wine http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/CougarCrestTrail_4472.asp