Sounds like a great place to ride. To bad it might not be legal. Here's a little info on trespassing, the land does not need to be posted. If you are asked to leave private property and refuse, you are in violation of 602(k)(1) p.c. If a deputy arrives, he may or may not issue a ticket, it's up to the land owner. Chances are they might just want him to tell you to leave, but, if they want to prosecute, he'll probably issue a citation for a citizen's arrest for trespassing. Also, our office acts as the Property Agent for private property where the owner follows certain procedures with our office and if we see you on the property, we will issue citations per the owners request. Owner does not need to be present. If your curious about trespass laws, here's a link Text Look under 602 pc. Hope this might clear up any trespass issues. Lt. Dan

 

The Beaumont riding area is still open. Did you go to the right place? South of the I-10?

 

It's the place directly off the left (or even right) side of the freeway as soon as you get into Beaumont (coming from Corona)? This last Sunday, there wasn't a soul out there and they had a locked gate going across the entrance. We were bummed!

We've only gone there once before, but we loved the area we found a few miles back where there's a wash with shallow water trickling across the whole width, and the trees make a shady canopy over the top as you fly through the water for about a mile or so. It was great! So refreshing on a hot day.

 

Some of that great riding area in Beaumont used to be a rocket engine testing facility for Lockheed. It's currently being turned into some kind of wildlife refuge. Trespassing is one thing. Pissing off the bird watchers is another. Them folks don't take kindly to people like us on their turf. Next thing you know, they're on the phone to their good friend, Barbara Boxer, and a new round of predatory environmental legislation is in the works.

Anyone looking to ride the Inland Empire would do well to inquire with HappywithVforce, Reconranger, or myself, or simply post something here. As a resident of the San Bernardino Mountains, I'm more than happy to offer directions to the better (and legal) riding up here. Most of the trails up here are rocky, and favor a utility quad.

 

This weekend I think we're going to try Big Bear, up by the Fawnskin area or at Cactus Flats. Never been there before. We're just trying to check out new places to see if we like them.

 

Do an advanced search of "San Bernardino Mountains", and you should turn up a number of posts on the subject. Do get the riding area maps, and the national forest map has OHV trails marked also. Keep in mind that the area between Pinnacles and Crab Flats is closed because of the fire.

A ride that I like is to take Hwy 330 up to Hwy 18 and go east past Running Springs. Turn off on Green Valley Lake
Rd., then go down forest road 3n16. There will be a staging area on the right a couple of miles in. From there you can take trail 2N12 (nice fun single track!) down to road 3N16. Take 3N16 out to Big Pine Flats, then continue on 3N11. When 3N11 T's with 3N17, keep going straight (north toward the desert). The trail will split. The bottom trail goes down to Wright mine, and the top trail goes out to a very nice overlook (nice place to have lunch). The top trail had a couple of down trees last time I was there, so you may have to do some walking.

Cactus Flats is nice, but is on the desert side of the mountains, and can get real hot. You mentioned going to Fawnskin. From there you would have to drive in a ways to reach any legal trails. Best thing is to stop at a ranger station and get a set of OHV maps and the national forest map.

 

Thanks! Actually, it is Big Pine Flats that I meant to say when I said "Fawnskin". Yeah, I think we'll try there - it might be cooler than Cactus Flats like you said. I did find a good OHV website about it, but I'll look around for more.

 

So, just stop at the Big Bear Discovery Center, and pick up some maps. It is on the north side of the lake a little way beyond Fawnskin.

From Big Pine Flats you can go north on 3N16 toward Crab Flats and 2N12, or south on 3N11 to the Wright mine. 3N17 is ok too, but kind of rocky and rough.

If you taste is a more rugged single track, there is a trail 1W17 that you can pick up behind Big Pine Flats campground. It will take you pretty much parallel to 3N16, and comes out near Crab Flats.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the folks who "work" at the Big Bear Discovery Center are actually volunteers. I have found they sometimes don't actually know what trails are closed, and what aren't, and frequently tell people the trail in question is closed. (yeah, I have an ax to grind with the USFS) In reality, the only trails that are closed are the ones between Tent Peg Campground (just west of Crab Flats) and the Pinnacles. The area surrounding Lake Silverwood is also closed. I've noticed that the north end of 1W17 always has wire across the trail outlet. This trail is officially open; however, the last time I was out there, a lot of circumnavigation took place because of all the downed trees. The open fire roads make for some fast flat tracking, but be careful. The blind corners make for a lot of dirt bike vs. pickup head-ons.

 

I wouldn't drive a motorhome into any of these campgrounds!