In the spring of 2012 I spent a weekend exploring Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crestline / Lake Gregory with my sister and friend Lindsey. I had just purchased the domain for this blog and anticipated sharing the photos not long after, but it took many more months before I worked out the kinks and began regular updates, so these next few posts have been a long time coming.

We leave early on Saturday morning to get a full afternoon of hiking in Big Bear. Here’s the view from an overlook above San Bernadino:

Not long after that last photo we reach the snow line.

Ready for an active weekend! Here’s Lindsey, Bethany, and me:

We check in at the Big Bear Discovery Center before going on a hike nearby. They have free info and maps on all area attractions as well as rangers happy to tell you about the latest wildlife sightings, plus you can purchase an Adventure Pass here (required to display on your dashboard in most parking lots).

Thanks to the date in the photo below, I just realized these images were taken EXACTLY three years ago from yesterday.

The Discovery Center is abuzz with excitement over this live streaming video of eagles nesting nearby. A ranger tells us where we can view them through binoculars at Dana Point Park; we make a note to stop by later.

Plaques on this giant slice of a tree trunk mark significant moments in local and national history to demonstrate the enormous scale of this tree’s life.

You never know when you might come face-to-face with the animal after which this town is named…

Surely this guy is the Big Bear mascot? We have fun posing with him outside the Discovery Center.

We find a picnic area on the lake near the Discovery Center — we’ve brought lunch from home and this is an idyllic spot to enjoy it.

Fruit, trail mix, popcorn, Subway… and this view of Big Bear Lake:

Before going on our afternoon hike, we swing by the binocular set-up at Dana Point Park to scope out nesting eagles. Very neat that the parks department has arranged this for visitors.

Next up: a 4-hour round-trip hike along the Cougar Crest Trail to Bertha Peak. We don’t get to the very top because of snow, but it’s a rigorous trek with stunning views.

We brave the snow near Bertha’s Peak for awhile before turning back.

Love these views…!

That’s Big Bear Lake in the distance, with ski slopes rising up behind it.

Glancing across the lake towards Big Bear village:

Next we’ll drive to Lake Arrowhead for dinner. More photos tomorrow!