San Bernardino County

Lake Gregory in the San Bernardino Mountains

From the mountain biking, snowboarding, ultrarunning village of Wrightwood, on the L.A./S.B. County line, to Earp, CA, named for the infamous Wyatt, just across from Arizona, the vast San Bernardino County covers miles of desert and military installations; but, it is not empty!   The history, as with all California counties, is fascinating.  Southern Californians know this Inland Empire county from trips to Vegas:   endless miles of Mojave Desert, over Cajon Pass, through Apple Valley, and Barstow (an outlet mall stop) to Stateline, NV.  Founded in 1853, San Bernardino County covers over 20,000 square miles, population 2,035,021. Ninety percent of the land is desert.       http://www.sbcounty.gov

Home of:

The High Desert Mavericks – Just off Highway 395, in Adelanto, this minor league baseball team is a Seattle Mariners affiliate Class A.    The stadium opened in ’91 and the team has won three California League titles.    http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t504

The Inland Empire 66ers – This baseball team is an Angels affiliate, located in the city of San Bernardino, 280 S. E Street.  Kevin Costner played here in an exhibition game in 2002. Kids can play in a Fun Zone for $5/all night.     http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t401

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp rehabbed at this Dodger Class A affiliate. It’s easy to get to, close to Victoria Gardens, at the intersection of the 15 and 10 freeways, 8408 Rochester Ave.      http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t526

The Quakes Baseball Field – Formerly, “The Epicenter”

San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino – The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians opened the popular gambling spot in 1986 in Highland.  The San Manuel Chuck Wagon frequents local events.   http://www.sanmanuel.com

Victoria Gardens – A great place to spend time and money, Victoria Gardens is an outdoor mall on Day Creek Blvd., off the 210 freeway.  A library, Performing Arts Center, and an AMC Theater, share the expansive property with many restaurants and shops.  There is plenty of parking and you can hop on a trolley to explore.    http://www.victoriagardensie.com

Packing crate labels are a colorful reminder of the history of the area.

Victoria Gardens – a Wonderful Setting at the Base of the Mountains

San Bernardino National Forest – You need a forest Adventure Pass to park in the San Bernardino National Forest.   The main highway, Rim of the World Scenic Byway, traverses from Cajon Pass to San Gorgonio Pass – 110 miles.  The winding road passes through the local ski resorts and mountain communities:  Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Big Bear.  On a clear day, the views are spectacular.   http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf

Portions of the Rim Highway extend out from the hillside!

The Crestline Exit

January 2014 – California in a Drought

Available at Sporting Goods Stores and Ranger Stations

Lake Gregory – Lake Gregory Regional Park offers public access to the lake for fishing, hiking and water sports.  The little town of Crestline sits on the rim, the first exit on Highway 18, the Rim of the World Highway.   http://www.mountaininfo.com     (webcams and weather)

Lake Arrowhead – It’s a pretty lake.  Local residents moor their boats along the shoreline.  The only public access is at The Resort.  Weddings and other events take place among the trees outside the hotel and restaurant.  A small outlet mall houses Bass, Van Huesen, Rocky Mountain Chocolate and some local shops and restaurants.  The waffle house has good food and nice views of the lake.   http://www.lakearrowhead.com/directory/stores.html

Lake Arrowhead Resort

Big Bear Lake – When the snow comes to the San Bernardino Mountains, skiers and snowboarders flock to Big Bear.  The lake is manmade and the economy of the town depends on good winters.  The summers attract hikers and campers around the lake and into the woods at Holcomb Valley.  Gold was discovered in 1860 and the rush lasted until 1875.   bigbear.com

Mt. San Gorgonio – “Old Greyback” is the highest in Southern California, 11,499 feet.  Hiking trails lead to the summit.  In the winter, its snow cap can be seen from Orange to L.A. Counties.   http://www.summitpost.org/san-gorgonio/150533     http://www.sgwa.org/aboutsg.htm (San Gorgonio Wilderness Association)

Mt. Baldy – Actually, it’s Mount San Antonio and the highest in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,064’.  It’s just inside San Bernardino County and the third highest in SoCal.   http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/baldy.html

Calico Ghost Town – 500 mines dot the desert and hills around Calico.  It was silver that drew the miners in 1881.  Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm fame restored it in the 1950’s.  Now it’s part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks and a State Historical Landmark.    http://www.sbcounty.gov/parks/Parks/CalicoGhostTown.aspx

Barstow Outlet Mall – To or from Las Vegas, it’s just the right timing for a stop off I-15.    http://www.tangeroutlet.com/barstow 

Running in San Bernardino County

– My recommendations include:  

Holcomb Valley – Held in June, The Holcomb Valley Trail Runs offer a choice of distances, 7, 15, or 33 miles.  Much of the course is on the Pacific Crest Trail with beautiful views of the San Gorgonio Wilderness and Big Bear Lake.   holcombvalleytrailruns.com

Calico – The race starts in the Calico Ghost Town and loops through the rocky colorful hills, lots of turquoise!  The January run features a 30K and a 50K ultra.  calicotrailrun.org

Chino Hills – The Chino Hill Trail Run Series has distances from a 10K to a 50K.  Runchinohills.com

Chino Hills 30K

11/9/13

The Highest Spot on the Course

The Chino Hills Trail Run Series presented a 30K and 50K on this November morning.  Never having run out on these trails, but heard they were challenging,  I decided to limit my endeavor to the 30K.  I’m glad I did!

Hot and hilly!  Unending scrubby brown landscape, mostly fire roads with some uneven single track occupied my attention for 18.6 miles.  Several steep ascents slowed the pace considerably.  On a clear day, the views would be spectacular.  On this particular hazy morning, the outline of the San Bernardino Mountains was barely observable.  Towards the coast, the tops of buildings were exposed above the grey/ochre colored air.

One runner walking just ahead of me a couple miles from the finish had a huge branch in her hand and announced she had sighted a coyote.  I didn’t see any wildlife, just a few lizards.

                                                                                                                                My time – 5:24. 

The Chino Hills State Park office was the start and finish line.  These trails would be excellent training courses for 50 or 100 mile ultras, lots of hills to practice running up and down.

Chino Hills State Park

Miles and Miles of Trails and Dirt Roads