1N54 - Clarks Grade

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4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Big Bear Lake, California (Riverside County)
Last Updated: 04/13/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Clarks Grade is a 4x4 off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey through several ecosystems, starting at the lowest elevation at the Santa Ana River and continuing to the ridgeline south of Big Bear Lake. The lushness of the canyon bottom gives way to the semi-aridness of mesquite, sage, and scrub oak. Finally, towards the end, you reach groves of conifer and an open-air ridgeline. Rumor has it that this trail was cut in one week as an alternate way off the mountain when, in 1949, the storm of the century blocked all access in and out of Big Bear Lake/Snow Summit. A sign at the north end explains that the trail has been in place since well before 1949. Harland Clark always told the story his way; it looks like his brother Hiram made the improvements.


Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.7/5 (49)
Open
Visited: 10/08/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Ran the trail from the top down to Seven Pines and had no issues. I only used 4wd to smooth out the ride a bit, but it wasn't really needed. There are sections with a bunch of loose rock making it a bumpy ride, but overall quite easy to navigate. Views were amazing!
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400
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/10/2023

This was a great trail with some really nice views. I found the labeled rough spot to be in a fairly easy part of the trail now. The upper parts are a big more rough but nothing particularly challenging. As far as we could tell there aren't any good ways to get out (or in) from bottom right now and it will stay that way for awhile. The road across the river at the bottom is covered in debris and it's also washed out just a bit north. We also took 1N04 about half way to see if there was another spot, but that road was washed out too.
Trail Review: 1N54 - Clarks Grade - Tim M
Trail Review: 1N54 - Clarks Grade - Tim M
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/11/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Decided to run this up to Big Bear instead of the highway. I loved it once we got up to the trees and especially liked Skyline Drive (only go left, since right is closed due to the last fire). There really wasnt anything that was challenging, at least for an experienced off roader. The hard spot in the review was quite easy. The lower part of the trail before the switchbacks was definitely overgrown, but I didnt get any pinstripes.
Open
Visited: 07/30/2023

There are chances of pinstripping as trail is overgrown. Left with at least a few pinstripes myself
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600
Open
Visited: 06/29/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

All gates open as of 2023-06-29. See photo for upper gate where it connects to Skyline. Ran this south-to-north (towards BB), would have been more scenic in the opposite direction. Steep and/or rocky in sections, definitely not graded as mentioned in other reviews (maybe they were referring to Middle Control Road which is the access road to this trail?). Lots of opportunities for pinstriping. Waypoint 6 is not bad. Many tall water bars/diversions that require some clearance.
Trail Review: 1N54 - Clarks Grade - paul

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