Cappie’s Scoop: This trail was very steep but keep climbing up for a good view! There were a lot of big rocks on this trail. Some were even too big for me to climb on. So I had to look very hard for a few good ones to jump on! Mom always gets nervous when I climb rocks but I have 4 legs and good balance unlike her! Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!
Tips: This trail is located on the southwest side of the lake. Even though it’s a short hike, it’s a bit steep. The trail also continues on if you want to do more than visit the rock.
Directions: Take CA-330N/City Creek Road towards Big Bear. Follow the road for almost 15 miles and continue east as it turns into CA-18/Hilltop Blvd. In about 13.6 miles, you will see the small parking lot on your left. The trailhead is 450 ft from the lot on the opposite side of the road – headed west, the way you drove in. If the small parking lot is full, there are some spots along side the road near the trailhead. Be careful walking next to the road with your pup as there are some curves and cars can move fast around them.
Mileage (round trip) | 1.2 |
Difficulty | Moderate |
Gain (in feet) | 557 |
Trailhead | 34.237758, -116.961407 (parking lot) 34.236628, -116.961832 (trailhead) |
Hike Time (in hours) | 1-2 |
Exposure | Mostly Shady |
Scenery | Mountain Views, Lake Views, Forest |
Facilities | None |
Fees/Permits | None |
More Info | https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=26353&actid=64; http://www.bigbearlake.net/summer/castle-rock-trail |
Last Hiked | 9/16/2018 |