Big Bear Valley, CA, November 29, 2014 - In 1925, Walter Kruckman ran a bus line which serviced the San Bernardino Mountains. The Motor Transit Company had a franchise to the mountains which required them to operate a year-round bus service, even though they traveled empty in the winter months. Kruckman came up with the idea of developing public interest in snow sports to fill … [Read more...] about Winter Sports in the San Bernardino Mountains
Big Bear Photos
Astronomical Society Explores Cosmos
Big Bear Lake, CA, July 19, 2014 - Visitors to Big Bear often comment on how bright the stars are at night, and there’s a couple of reasons for that. Our altitude of over 6700 feet gives us excellent transparency, and the lack of many street lights keep the skies appropriately dark. Given those conditions, our mountain is the perfect place to explore astronomy. The Big Bear … [Read more...] about Astronomical Society Explores Cosmos
Resort Life… in Turn of the Century Big Bear
Big Bear, CA, May 31, 2014 - As soon as Big Bear Lake was created by building the original 'Rock Dam' in 1885, tourists started visiting Bear Valley. In 1888, Gus Knight Jr. and John Metcalf purchased 80 acres on the south shore of the lake to build the valley's first resort, The Bear Valley Hotel. Despite the fact that it took two days by stage and burro train to reach the … [Read more...] about Resort Life… in Turn of the Century Big Bear
The Road to Big Bear
Big Bear, CA, April 26, 2014 - The first road into the San Bernardino Mountains, which was really just a trail, was built by the Mormons in 1852 and ascended Waterman Canyon. Big Bear Lake was created in 1885 and the only way up, other than a pack trail up Santa Ana Canyon, was a long arduous trip up Cushenbury Grade. To get to the Grade, visitors first had to travel over Cajon … [Read more...] about The Road to Big Bear
There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!
Big Bear, CA, March 15, 2014 - In 1848, gold was discovered in northern California which brought thousands of people to the state from all over the world. One of these people was Bill Holcomb who tried his luck up north, but quickly decided to head to southern California. He heard rumors of gold in Big Bear Valley, but wasn't sure how to get there. He and his … [Read more...] about There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!
Five Eagles Observed Over Weekend
Big Bear Lake, CA, March 12, 2014 - The last of four eagle censuses this winter was conducted on Saturday, with local biologists getting help from 57 volunteers. Observers spotted five bald eagles around Big Bear Lake during the one-hour count, including four adults and one juvenile. Juvenile eagles are the same size as the adults, but have a brown head and tail for their first … [Read more...] about Five Eagles Observed Over Weekend