SAN BERNARDINO TRAILS AWARD AND SEGMENTS

The SAN BERNARDINO TRAILS AWARD has been developed to encourage Scout units to experience backpacking and exploring throughout the San Bernardino National Forest area and to encourage wise use and proper maintenance of the trails and campsites within the National Forest.

The San Bernardino National Forest ranges from the east slopes of Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains through the high valleys of the San Bernardinos, up the rugged peaks of the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Wilderness areas to the desert slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

This award consists of a main patch and a series of segments which allow the unit many options as to the trails and trail camps which may be explored. Each segment requires an overnight backpack outing of at least five (5) scheduled hours.

John Robinson's "SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAIN TRAILS" is referenced for appropriate hikes in each segment area. Current USGS topographic maps should be consulted for trail details.

Requirements:

1. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

2. Obtain a Local Tour permit from your council. Obtain required Fire Permit and Wilderness Permit. Comply with all USFS and State Park regulations.

3. Complete a backpack application with a roster of participants, menus, itinerary, and trail profile. Submit the completed form to your council H.A.T. for approval at least two weeks prior to the outing.

4. Atleastoneoftherequiredtwoadultleadersparticipatingonthe outing must have completed the basic backpack awareness course and hold a current Red Cross First Aid Certificate.

5. Each participant shall carry a backpack containing all his personal gear and a share of the unit equipment and food for a minimum of five (5) scheduled backpack hours and sleep at least one (1) night in a backcountry trail camp in one of the listed segment areas. (1 backpack hour = 2 miles or 1000 feet in elevation gain).

6. Each participant must work on a good turn project within the National Forest for each trail segment earned. Projects involving trail repair and maintenance require the supervision of a Trail Boss or Forest Ranger.

7. After completing a weekend outing in one of the listed areas, the unit leader shall file an Award Application and a hike report listing all participants who earned this award and/or segment. (A three-day, two-night backpack of 10 or more backpack hours through two adjacent areas may earn both segments).

SAN BERNARDINO SEGMENTS:

CUCAMONGA

Hike into the heart of the eastern Cucamonga Wilderness through scenic Middle Fork Lytle Creek. Use Commanche trail camp to rest before a climb to Cucamonga Peak or visit the western boundary of the San Bernardino Forest at Ice House Saddle. Wilderness permits may be obtained at Lytle Creek Ranger Station. Review Robinson's "Trails Of The Angeles", hike 99.

BIG BEAR

The hikes around Big Bear Lake will take you from the deep, stream-side canyons of Siberia or Deep creeks to the high mountain woodland of historic Holcomb Valley. Trail camps are at Siberia, Fishermans, Holcomb Crossing or Tanglewood. Read Robinson's "SAN BERNARDINO TRAILS" hikes 13 to 24, 30 & 33.

HEART BAR

From Sugarloaf Mountain to the Aspen groves of Fish Creek, the area around the headwaters of the Santa Ana River will offer a variety of high mountain hiking. Camp are at Wildhorse Meadow, Fish Creek or visit the high country home of the Nelson Big Horn sheep at Mineshaft Flats or North Fork Meadows. Plan your trek using Robinson's hikes 32, 34 to 36 & 44. Obtain your Wilderness Permit at Big Bear or Mill Creek Ranger Station.

GREYBACK

Whether you climb from Poopout Hill, Forsee Creek or Camp Angeles, you will have many opportunities to explore the varied slopes and valleys of "Old Greyback" (Mt. San Gorgonio). Take your choice of the many camps which offer cool springs and alpine forests. Wilderness permits are at Mill Creek Ranger Station. Review Robinson's hikes 39 to 43 & 45 to 47.

MILL CREEK

Climb one of the historic 100 year-old trails leading from the fault line gorge of Mill Creek up the south slope of Mt. San Gorgonio and explore the hanging valleys of Alger and Vivian Creek. Pleasant trail camps include Alger Creek, Dobbs, Plummer Meadows, and High Creek. Refer to Robinson's hikes 48 to 52. Obtain your Wilderness permit at Mill Creek Ranger Station.

SAN JACINTO

The summit country surrounding San Jacinto Peak offers a variety of approaches through boulder strewn ridges and alpine wilderness. High valleys and meadows at Round Valley, Tamarack and Little Round Valley offer trail camps near water. Study Robinson's hikes 67 to 72 and 74 to 78. Obtain your Wilderness permit at Idyllwild Ranger Station.

TAHQUITZ

Climb up Devils Slide past Tahquitz Peak into the high country of forest and lush meadows of Tahquitz Valley. Follow Tahquitz Creek to the eastern precipice of the San Jacintos overlooking the Palm Springs Desert. Visit one of the trail camps in Tahquitz Valley or journey to Willow Creek, Laws or Caramba. Review Robinson's hikes 73, 75, 79 to 81, 84 and 85.

DESERT DIVIDE

The southernmost area of the San Bernardino National Forest extends to the Santa Rosa Mountains. Experience hikes from "pines to palms" along the Desert Divide Trail or down Apple, Palm or Horsethief Canyons. Hidden springs will refresh you at Live Oak, Aqua Bonito and Horsethief trail camps. To plan your trek through the home of the Desert Big Horn Sheep, consult Robinson's hikes 86 to 99.