Smještaji za odmor na lokaciji: Big Bear Lake

I'll meet my guests at one of a few different scenic autumn colors areas; Either at the golf range for the hike that starts nearby or at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area (A forest adventure pass is required to park at Aspen Glen and can be purchased from most local business, or you can park on neighborhood streets for free and I can show you where to park for free) Wherever the fall colors are peaking on that particular day, I will lead you up the leave covered trail and into the oak forest where you can trek through the fall colors. Most of these hikes do go uphill so it's not classified as an easy hike but if you are a beginning hiker or have kids joining us we can hike at a slow pace; Whatever pace you prefer, after all, it is your hiking experience. Both these trails have amazing views of Big Bear Lake as you climb higher into the forest. We will hike as many or as few miles as you would like. I will show you a few other great photo opportunities along the way. If you wish to bring dogs on this hike, please do! I love dogs and I bring my pup with me on the hike when my guests are okay with my furry friend. Other things to note This is a moderate hike and you will have a better time if you are prepared to at least hike three miles, although I will make the hike as easy or hard as your skill set.

You'll meet up with me and then follow me in a short drive to the trailhead. Once we park there is a short easy hike (less than a mile, part on roads, part on a dirt trail) before we climb down to the creek. The climb down is very steep and slippery. It is rock climbing just steep enough to not need gear. If you like bouldering you'll love this place. If you are afraid of heights this may be challenging for you. You will need shoes with good grip and both hands available to climb down the rock cliff. The creek is a beautiful place to relax for an hour or two surrounded by the woods and the sounds of birds chirping and running water and nature to help you feel peaceful and restful. In the spring and early summer you can swim! Best month to swim is May. (Note, it is too low to swim currently. The creek is almost dry now.) In the fall and winter just explore and play and absorb some nature. It is beautiful year round. I take candid and posed photos of you that I will send you after the hike. It is a great spot, it makes for beautiful pictures. Whenever you are ready we hike back up. For more pictures look up my Instagram @Echo_Adventure_Photography. Wear hiking boots with good grip. Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. I am very flexible with times and dates, let me know if my availability isn't quite when you would like.

This hike is amazing but no fun on a hot day. I will be posting limited availability throughout the summer so you can still see this experience and you can maybe keep it in mind for later in the year. We will only be able to do this hike on the rare cooler summer days. This experience is best in fall, winter or spring. This hike is difficult. It requires hiking boots and good stamina. Six miles and 1,300 feet elevation change. There is a hill that is almost a sandy slide that is a quarter of a mile long and it is very challenging. We will spend about two hours hiking down and another two hours hiking back up. The hot springs are an amazing reward for the tough hike! Six different hot pools range in temperature from 75 to 115 degrees. They are located right along the creek so you can swim in the cold water too. It's a great spot for some contrast bath therapy! This is very good for stress, soreness, blood circulation, your metabolism, and your immune system! The whole area is beautiful and a perfect place to relax. We usually have time to stay and swim for two hours. I will take pictures, candid and posed, to capture the memories of your day and send them to you after the hike. For more pictures look up my Instagram @echo_adventure_photography. Please note, there will be nudists. -For a less crowded day pick a week day. -Best suited for ages 15 to 50

We will be hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail was built by the USFS in the 40’s. It runs from Mexico to Canada, and comes through our beautiful town. This is a favorite section with gorgeous desert views, awesome looks down into Holcomb Valley, that turn into lake views as you continue. The lake views are stunning from this section. Depending on the time of year you visit us, there will be wildflowers, you will see horses in the meadows below, hopefully even catch a sighting of Big Bear’s famous burros left over from the gold mining days. In the distance you will see active mines, although no gold today, we will tell you the stories of days past. This area is rich with Big Bear Valley history. We will complete a “section hike” of the PCT, and try to imagine what it’s like to hike the whole 2600 miles up to Canada. Imagine what that original settlement must have looked like with children playing and moms working while the dads were in the mines. We will begin the hike in Van Dusen Canyon meeting at the trailhead on Van Dusen Canyon Road. A short up hill area as we begin then the trail walks the ridge, winding from back desert views to front lake views. The trail takes you behind Bertha’s Peak as the forest opens up to some of the best views in Big Bear Lake! A round trip hike is almost 5 miles but the awesome views make it feel like 2. Other things to note Fitness level doesn’t matter on my hikes. The minute you book, it becomes your hike. You set the pace, and the breaks. No hike is to slow. If you are in a hurry I’m down for a great workout too!

Guests will meet me behind Baldwin Lake in a neighborhood where there is lots of trail parking. I will lead guests on a locals tour along the Pacific Crest Trail and hopefully, we will get to interact with Big Bear’s wild burros (from a safe distance) I see wild burros here in the morning 8 out of 10 times I hike here. I will take my guests on the best route to hopefully see Big Bear's wild burros. Guests who are joining me on this hike mid-April-May don't be surprised if we meet friendly PCT Thru-hikers on our journey on the PCT! These hikers hike 2,650 miles in a season as they follow the trail from Mexico to Canada. Pretty wild cactus flowers are in bloom in the springtime along this trail; If the cactus are in bloom, I’ll even harvest a cactus blossom snack for my guests. Or we might stop to try other edible plants of the San Bernardino National Forest. If you choose to hike the trail with me in February or March there may still be small patches of snow on the trail. There are many great photo opportunities along this section of the trail. If we are lucky we willget to even see wild donkeys hanging out trailside. This hike is pretty easy, good for kids, not a lot of elevation gain. I see donkeys 8 out of every 10 times I hike here but seeing the wild donkeys is not guaranteed. Other things to note Dogs are invited on this hike but I recommend they be leashes. There are rattlesnakes on this trail. If guests are interested in a longer tour of the PCT I offer that also. Ask about pricing.