Big Bear Today Magazine September 2020

Page 8—September 2020
Wilderness-worthy views on Wildhorse
Wild horses once roamed this land,
released by the U.S. Cavalry after World
War I with the realization that machines,
not beasts, would be fighting future battles.
Today there’s no horses to be seen on
Wildhorse Trail, nor people. It’s just me
and dozens (hundreds?) of scampering lizards
and one rattlesnake that I almost step
on returning to the trailhead. It’s pretty hard
to hike all day and not encounter one other
soul but I managed to do it in early August
on this under-the-radar trail filled with expansive
180-degree views.
Wildhorse Trail is located just west of
Heartbar turnout on Hwy. 38 and countless
people drive by it every day going to
and from Big Bear, 30 minutes or so away.
Yet it’s probably the most underutilized
trail around, certainly considering the easy
access it affords with parking right off the
highway. Rarely is there more than one or
two cars at the trailhead, if that.
The upside to Wildhorse Trail are the
sprawling views that stretch out everywhere,
from the San Gorgonio Wilderness
across the way to Mt. Baldy in the distant
west. Go far enough and you’ll come to
the very scenic trail camp of the same
name.
Further along it connects with the trail
going to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain,
at 9,952 feet the highest point in Big
Bear Valley. Here wild horses roamed after
being set free by the military in the
1920’s and `30’s, and Wildhorse Meadow
that the trail skirts is named for them.
Downside is that hikers have to march
at least a rugged mile uphill to reap the rewards,
starting with uninspired forest road
terrain and ending with a long straight slog
with no switchbacks through a nasty rock
field where at least one rattler likes to hang
out. He was sunning on my return, oblivious
to my approach, never once shaking
his rattle, even after becoming aware of me
and slithering off the trail. Apparently they
don’t always issue warning rattles.
Beyond the rock pile Wildhorse Trail
improves significantly, singletrack path
that rises up the thousand-plus foot ridge.
There’s precious little shade with terrain
dotted by manzanita, chaparral and sage
instead of towering pine trees, so expect
plenty of sun exposure, especially midday.
As hikers climb they’re treated to an
expansive mountain panorama. The jagged
peaks of 10,000 Foot Ridge around Mt. San
Gorgonio begin to loom in the distance
while below Heartbar Campground and the
highway are visible. The trail serves up big
mountain hiking reminiscent of the Wilderness
or even the Sierras.
After three miles the trail crests the
saddle above 8,000 feet and pine trees begin
to emerge, a welcome sight after the
sunny climb. The trail begins to descend a
couple hundred feet for the next mile or so
down the canyon before reaching
Wildhorse Trail Camp, a wonderful spot
to take a break surrounded by trees and
flanked by meadow. It’s also a good overnight
spot for those making a backpack out
of the hike with two good sites.
The small creek next to camp was
Big Bear Today
Don’t let the views distract you too much on Wildhorse Trail, which leads to a
scenic camp for overnighters
flowing last month, albeit
a trickle and not
something you’d want
to drink from except in
a pinch. Still very scenic,
and the trail
crosses it to the other
side where it ascends
further up the mountain,
adjacent to the
water. Eventually it
reaches the saddle
above where it connects
with Sugarloaf
Trail from the other
side and continues to the summit.
Only well-conditioned hikers or those
on horseback will follow Wildhorse Trail
all the way to Sugarloaf and back in a
single day; doing so means over 16 miles
with 4,000 feet of elevation gain. Most turn
around at trail camp after four miles and
over a thousand feet of climbing, which is
what I did. Just watch for the rattler!
—by Marcus Dietz
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