A Little Adventure in Big Bear

Big Bear Lake is nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains above and to the south of San Bernardino. It’s one of several lakes in the region, including Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory, and each affords it own unique mountain splendor and scenery. It’s an obviously favorite getaway for city dwellers, yet during the week and in the off season, the roads are empty and the B&Bs run specials to fill their vacancies. I took advantage of one at my favorite B&B, and got in a couple days of cruising and caching in the fresh, clear air.

It takes about two and a half hours to get there from my house in Northridge. It is easily possible to go skiing up there in the morning and head down to Malibu for surfing in the afternoon, if one is so inclined. I’m not that ambitious nor athletic, and I’m recovering from a lingering sinus infection, so I stuck to driving and light walking this time.

My first official stop was for the cache here. I had chains with me, but didn’t need them after all.
Caching 4 the Numbers #9

This is the last of the snow in the parking lot at the B&B:

I highly recommend the Alpenhorn B&B:

Breakfast includes their signature creamy oatmeal brûlée, and you are greeted with a hand-drawn doily on your pillow:

Each room has a cozy gas fireplace:

Here’s Boulder Bay, part of Big Bear Lake:

and Lake Arrowhead, from the eastern end:

Flowers are just beginning to come out:

There is a cache down in that parking lot:

The view from the top was typically hazy as I turned my car back toward home:

I was astonished by this sign. I didn’t see any of the traps, though, nor any intended inhabitants!

Here are the rest of the caches I found over the two days. These were on the way up Highway 38:
Don’t Kil-Kare about the Creek
Not a Tuba Garfields anymore
Hwy 38 1994
Pooh’s ThOtfuL SpoT

In the town of Big Bear:
1442 in Big Bear
EYES ON ME!
Boulder Bay

Around Lake Arrowhead:
Ye Old Village Cache
Overlooking Papoose
Lights on the Water/L. Arrowhead

… and these were on the way down Highway 330:
I Can See My House From Here
Call Box Protector
Guarding Another Turnout
Creek Bed Turnout Cache
Belly Ache

It was a pretty uneventful for an “adventure”, but sometimes those are the best. I enjoyed the opportunity to relax and breathe…. until next week…. AAaaahhh….