Big Bear Group

Welcome to Big Bear Group! We are located high in the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear Lake, California, just two hours northeast of Los Angeles, yet miles away from the busy metropolitan area. We live in clean air, pine tree forest, and hundreds of miles of hiking and horseback trails.

As a Sierra Club Group, we are active in the community. We sponsor an annual College Scholarship Fund awarded to a selected Big Bear High School student. We have a proactive Conservation Programs to help protect the forest, land trusts, and the unique Pebble Plain plants which only grow here in the San Bernardino Mountains. Also, we have an active and exciting Outings Program.

The infamous, Pacific Crest Trail, Section C, routes through the Big Bear area. Section C, of the PCT begins at the I-10 Freeway near White Water River and meanders north through the San Gorgonio Wilderness, it crosses the north side of Big Bear Lake before descending west toward Lake Arrowhead and Lake Silverwood, and eventually ends at the I-15 freeway. This is a 132.7 mile continuous trail though the gorgeous San Bernardino Mountains.

Our Outings Programs includes hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and Individual paddle board (IPB) experiences. All outdoor activities are led by experienced and certified Sierra Club Leaders who are trained by the Red Cross in medical emergency care. Safety is our number one priority.

Our hiking excursions include weekly hikes in the San Bernardino Mountains with special trips into the San Jacinto Wilderness, San Gorgonio Wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park, and sections of the Pacific Crest Trail throughout southern California.

We have organized backpacking trips to the High Sierra’s each summer. These trips typically range from 5 to 7 days of exploring the mysteries of the John Muir Trail, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park in northern California. More information can be found in our Outings Program.

Our canoeing, kayaking, and individual paddle board outings are organized much like our hiking program. We announce our outings by way of the Sierra Clubs "Palm and Pine" by-monthly newsletter, as well as on this website under the Outings heading.

Monthly, March through October, we conduct public meetings on the third Thursday of each month and provide guest speakers to inform and educate the public. Our meetings are open to ALL and we provide free parking, admission, and refreshments. These meetings are conducted at 6:30 p.m. at the Big Bear Discovery Center, 42300 North Shore Drive, Hwy 38 in Fawnskin, CA.

We have a nine member Executive Committee (ExCom) that guides the Group through its efforts to protect our environment and club activities. All actions taken are meant to improve our community and your daily lives.

Thank you,