Grand View Summit

Hike or Snowshoe Pine Knot in Big Bear

{NOTE/March 2, 2023: Due to recent storms, many California parks, or roads leading to them, may be temporarily closed. Check the status and do some research before heading out to any parks in the coming weeks, and visit when it's safe to do so.}

The moderately strenuous 6-mile Pine Knot hike in Big Bear is wildly popular in summer. But in winter, this trail is a kingdom of blissful isolation, and just as beautiful! Rent some snowshoes and poles and traverse the snow to explore. Park at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area and begin a gradual ascent directly to the right of the large sign. Follow switchbacks to the first of many glorious views of the lake, cradled by dense patches of ponderosa and Jeffrey pines. Gaining nearly 1,000 feet in elevation, you'll also encounter sugar pines, home to Steller’s jays and mountain chickadees, whose tiny black heads are fun to spot in the snow. Snowshoe prints and dog tracks are your friends as your trail intersects with fire road 2N10. Turn left at the intersection to reach the Grand View Summit, which, true to its name, rewards with panoramic scenery of the southern range of the San Bernardinos. Head down the way you came or, if you brought a topographical map, go a short distance off-trail to meet up with the Cabin Trail and create a loop back to Aspen Glen.

Head west on Big Bear Blvd. from the Village for half a mile, then turn left onto Mill Creek Rd., which runs into Aspen Glen Picnic Area. Display your Forest Adventure Pass in the lot, which can be purchased at a variety of stores around town. The hostel is one block west of the intersection of Village Dr. and Big Bear Blvd. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

    View
  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  3. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View
  4. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

    View
  3. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  4. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View