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
Big Bear Lake
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
The Drought’s Effect on Big Bear Lake
Fawnskin, CA, March 9, 2014 - Some of the most visible effects of the current drought are the beaches springing up around Big Bear Lake’s 22 miles of shoreline--new patches of sand that fishermen and picnicking families are making the most of. Even after picking up over ten inches of precipitation in the recent storm system, the water level was still 7’ 10” below full, compared … [Read more...] about The Drought’s Effect on Big Bear Lake
Bald Eagles Return to Big Bear Year After Year
Big Bear Lake, CA, March 8, 2014 - Migrating bald eagles love to winter in the San Bernardino Mountains with most of them choosing Big Bear Lake as their winter home. They're usually found near water because their diet is primarily made up of fish and ducks. Sometimes during particularly cold nights, Coots, a breed of bird on our lake, will get stuck in the ice which make them … [Read more...] about Bald Eagles Return to Big Bear Year After Year
1884 – Big Bear Gets a Dam and a Lake
Big Bear Lake, CA, February 15, 2014 - Frank Brown and Hiram Barton rode into Big Bear Valley on horseback in May of 1883. They quickly concluded that if they built a dam at the narrow west end of the valley, they would create a lake five and a half miles long that could supply much needed water to thirsty communities down the hill. For economic … [Read more...] about 1884 – Big Bear Gets a Dam and a Lake