Fly Fishing on Big Bear Lake

One thing I've always wanted to do better is relax and enjoy my surroundings a big more. I sometimes get caught up in the adventure and excitement of pushing myself and forget to stop and smell the roses, or catch some fish. So in trying to steer myself towards a new direction, I've decided to take up fly fishing...

I got a killer deal on a basic setup from my good friends over at North Shore Trading Company. Mike Tuttle runs Big Bear Fishing Adventures, a full service guiding operation, out of the store and on top of hooking up the rod and reel he was kind enough to take me out for a lesson on how to get started. 

My setup is sweet. Pole is graphite and breaks down into 4 pieces all of which go into a bomb proof case. The reel has its own pouch. Just need some flys and a net, maybe some basic fishing tools, and I'm ready to rock. For the lesson Mike supplied me with some waders and showed me the basics of setting up  the line. After that we were in the water and learning to cast which is a lot of fun...and really challenging!

 (Mike explaining the basics)

 (Learning the art of fly fishing!)

(Fly fishing in Boulder Bay on Big Bear Lake!)

I'm excited to keep learning and even more pumped to add something else to the arsenal of outdoor activities I enjoy. If you get a chance swing by and check out my friends over at the North Shore Trading Company and Big Bear Fishing Adventures. They've got a great operation going on in Fawnskin, on the north shore of the lake. Tell them Matt sent you over and they will hook you up! 

 

(planning a trip to Colorado this summer)

Time to Ride!

(Time trial bike all ready to go!)

The Cycling Association is holding all sorts of different rides, my favorite being the Thursday Night Time Trials. It will be the same course over the entire summer, with some Thursday nights being "officially" timed. This is a great way to measure progress over the summer. Last week I rode the 10.5 mile course in 27 minutes flat which is an average speed of 23.3 mph. My goal over the course of the summer is to break 24 minutes...just over 26 mph average. Some fast guys showed up last week but I felt the pressure to ride fast because of the new wheels on the bike...I went first out on the course and had to put in a hard effort to not get caught. Sounded like a few of the guys rode in the 26 minute range and local Pro Mountain Biker Derek Hermon was down in the 25's. I am really looking forward to trying to drop my time down and to the weekly get together with a bunch of local riders. For more info on this ride or others check out the info HERE!

A New Challenge in Town?

The Seven Summits of Big Bear have become somewhat of a local challenge. It's perfect. Something you can start now, and finish in a few months, or a few years. There is no time limit...just the amount of time it takes you to complete. But what if there was a time limit? Or what if the goal was to complete the task of tackling all 7 summits in the shortest amount of time possible, traveling only by foot. This is the talk among the local scene right now. Taking this peaceful and inspiring journey of hiking, and turning it into a grueling endurance push...sounds fun.

Check out this write up on the Trails Foundation page about a potential route: HERE

(A young Harper contemplates her own 7 summits push)

For now I am going to work on planning my route and practicing in sections. The total mileage looks to be anywhere from 50+ depending on the chosen route, with a ton of elevation gain and loss. I agree that it could be done in under 24 hours...and think if I can get the route dialed in I might be able to break that mark!

San Gorgonio Hike Video

Spring means Things To Do in Big Bear

Lot's going down in Big Bear right now even though it is considered by most to be the "shoulder" season up here. To be honest, this is one of the nicest times of the year in Big Bear. The crowds from the ski resorts have left and the forest is alive from the abundance of water up here. Waterfalls are common on the trails that are bone dry most of the year and the lake is filled up to the brim. It's spring time...and that mean time to get outside and go! Check out some of the sweet things going down in Big Bear right now...and see you out there!

Cycling Association Rides - Guided and Organized rides most days of the week. Check schedule to see where ride leaves from and time. From race training rides to easy pedals.

Bouldering Club Outings - Bouldering in a group setting at one of the local climbing areas on Tuesday nights. Check schedule to see what area is in for what day. No experience or gear needed. Meets at Starbucks Interlaken at 6pm on Tuesdays.

Mountain Top Hiking Club - Organized group that hikes local trails to provide knowledge and access to scenic destinations in the area. Check site for schedule of trails and meeting time. Usually 2 or more hikes a week.

Boxing/Grappling Classes - Adult MMA classes geared towards beginners interested in learning an additional form of training, and for those that don't mind getting physical. World class instruction in a group learning environment. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm.

These are just a few of the organized activities that are going down on a regular basis in Big Bear. For more information on any of these events, plus more, check out Open Air Big Bear!

Sugarloaf Mountain Photos

Check out some of the photos from my recent trek up Sugarloaf Mountain. This was part hike and part snowshoe and definitely all vistas! Easy on the eyes...tough on the legs, sounds just about right for a another mid-week Big Bear adventure. The whole trip took about 6 hours but we were in no rush. Heading out to make a snowy ascent of San Gorgonio April 24-26 for anybody interested. Check out Open Air Big Bear on Facebook for more details. See you out there!

 (Sugarloaf Mountain with San Gorgonio in the back)
 

(San G, at 11,502' the highest mountain in So Cal)

 (Nearing 10K', gnarly trees make for an interesting summit)

(The view of Big Bear Lake with Mt. Baldy in the background)

Running from Winter

 This past week has brought the return of winter to Big Bear and despite how much I love snow, and all the fun things you can do in it, I am ready for summer. Sorry Old Man Winter...but you gotta go!

Yesterday I tagged along with Rachael Ghrist as she sought at a warm spot to run on the mountain. Rachael is training for multiple events this summer including a full distance Ironman event in August and the Conquer the Bear Series up here in Big Bear. She had a solid start to Conquer the Bear with a 3rd place finish in the 10K Snowshoe in February.

Our run yesterday took us around Erwin Lake and despite catching the last remaining rays of the evening sun the wind made sure we didn't forget it was still winter. Brrrr. One great thing about running in Big Bear is the abundance of dirt roads which are much more forgiving on the body as the miles go by. It is also pretty easy to find a picturesque place to run ...which helps the mind as the miles go by too!

(Running from winter in Big Bear Lake)

For more info on Running, or any other Outdoor Sports or Events  in Big Bear Lake check out 

Open Air Big Bear