Trail Information
When you head out on a hike, it's best to be prepared with the proper information and important essentials for your trip. Keep in mind that weather and temperatures can vary unexpectedly throughout the day, and conditions might not be what you had originally prepared for. Please remember to bring enough water and clothing. You are responsible for your own well-being.
The trail conditions listed here are not comprehensive. if you have a question concerning current conditions please contact the U.S.Forest Service Ranger office at (909) 382-2921
Current trail conditions notes:
- Be prepared for some winter (ice and snow) conditions in parts of the high country. Lower country trails may have little to no snow, depending upon recent weather conditions. Bring gear appropritate to your hike and make sure to have the proper training. Exercise caution- icy conditions can be extremely dangerous and you are responsible for your own safety.
- Due to Wilderness and Safety issues, the Ernie Maxwell (Scenic) trail in Idyllwild is now closed to mountain bikers-it remains open to hikers and equestrians.
- Please bring a filter if you plan on drinking from any body of water in the wilderness.
Fire Danger Elevated to “Very High” on the National Forest: Fire Restrictions Increased
San Bernardino, Calif., January 12, 2012 –Fire Danger increases with the unseasonable warmer, drier weather along with persistent Santa Ana wind conditions. Weather forecasts show that temperatures will continue to be slightly above normal coupled with infrequent storms and long stretches of little or no precipitation for the next few months. This will allow the finer grasses and lighter fuels to cure sooner increasing the potential for large fires.
Fire officials are closely monitoring the weather and fuel conditions, adjusting staffing levels, and increasing or lowering fire use restrictions as deemed necessary.
“During the recent wind events, firefighters responded to several fires during the evening hours, which is very unusual for this time of the year, which demonstrates how dry the fuels are,” stated Forest Fire Chief Shawna Legarza. “We will continue to maintain an increased firefighter staffing level until there is a significant change in the weather,” Legarza added.
Fire restrictions and guidelines effective January 13, 2012 on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
- Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves.
- Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted at Yellow Post campsites, Fisherman’s Camp, or the following Pacific Crest Trail Camps:
Bench Camp
Deer Springs
Doble
Holcomb Crossing
Little Bear Springs
Mission Springs
- Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.
- Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting.
- An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.
- Smoking is limited to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within a Developed Recreation Site.
- Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.
The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.
Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions at the following offices:
San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave., San Bernardino
(909) 382-2600
Big Bear Ranger Station and Discovery Center
41397 North Shore Drive / Highway 38, Fawnskin
(909) 382-2790
Idyllwild Ranger Station
54270 Pine Crest, Idyllwild
(909) 382-2922
Lytle Creek Ranger Station
1209 Lytle Creek Road, Lytle Creek
(909) 382-2851
Mill Creek Ranger Station
34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone
(909) 382-2881
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
51-500 Highway 74 Palm Desert
(760) 862-9984
Fire Restrictions Reduced and Winter Burning Projects Underway
San Bernardino, Calif., November 18, 2011 – With recent rain across the southland, forest officials on the San Bernardino National Forest reduced fire restrictions effective today and have begun winter burning projects.
“While campfires and recreational shooting are being allowed in portions of the forest, we are not completely out of wildfire danger yet, and ask the public to always exercise caution and call ahead to check conditions,” said San Bernardino National Forest Fire Management Officer Shawna Legarza. “The change in the weather also has allowed us to begin our winter burning program, which is one of our tools to help reduce the wildfire threat in local communities.”
Fire Restrictions
Under the reduced fire restrictions, visitors may have wood and charcoal fires in agency-provided campfire rings at campgrounds, picnic areas and yellow post sites. Recreational target shooting is permitted within designated sites in the Big Bear area and permitted areas on the San Jacinto Ranger District.
Current fire restriction and guidelines in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
- Wood and charcoal campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and Yellow Post campsites within agency-provided fire rings or designated stoves.
- Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.
- Recreational shooting is limited to designated sites and public shooting ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting.
- The 1N09 Recreational Shooting area remains closed.
- An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.
- Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, developed recreation sites and areas cleared of vegetation, three feet in diameter.
- Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target.
Winter Burning Projects
As part of a continuing effort to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health, the San Bernardino National Forest has started this season’s prescribed burning program. The prescribed fire program will continue through the winter months as weather and conditions permit.
The ignition of all prescribed burns is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, appropriate conditions, and in coordination with the National Weather Service and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) before and during prescribed burns in order to manage smoke production and minimize impacts as much as possible.
Fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the “prescription” or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation, and relative humidity that need to be present before the project begins. When the criteria are met, crews implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined by managers.
We appreciate the public’s tolerance of some smoke impacts in order to achieve the San Bernardino National Forest’s fire prevention and resource management goals, and the public can call our local offices to find out where we are burning at the following numbers:
Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center 909-382-2790
Lytle Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2851
Idyllwild Ranger Station 909-382-2922
Mill Creek Work Center 909-382-2882
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 760-862-9984
For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
Use these maps, regulations and information to help inform yourself about your trip.
