Seven Summits of Big Bear

Group Hike: Saturday, July 23 at 8am, meet at Cougar Crest Trailhead

Delamar Peak overlooks Fawnskin and marks the west end of the hills bordering Big Bear Lake to the north. The hike is enjoyable, the route an adventure, and the summit almost undisturbed by human visitors. The views are somewhat less than spectacular; even at the summit, trees and rocks block clear views, and the best open perch is from a false summit on the way up.

Quick Facts

Length: 9 miles round-trip, with about 2 miles off-trail hiking
Elevation: Start at 6860′, peak at 8398′
Difficulty: Moderate, but with more challenging navigation

This year we’ll be hiking from Cougar Crest trailhead, taking the PCT to the west until we depart the trail for the summit. This change will take us off Polique Canyon Road and add some time on trails.

Directions to Trailhead

From the town of Big Bear, you’ll need to find Stanfield Cutoff and go across it to the North until you’re at the intersection of Stanfield and North Shore Drive / Hwy 38. Go west about 1.6 miles. A few hundred feet after you pass the Discovery Center, you’ll see the sign for Cougar Crest and the entrance to the parking area on the right.

Trail Directions

Delamar is the most difficult summit in terms of NAVIGATION that we will hike. If you know how to use a map and compass, they will be of incredible value if you’re hiking on your own. Do not rely on the text instructions provided here. If you have a bad sense of direction and get turned around easily, then please go with someone who has more experience.

Start up paved path, which soon changes to dirt (do not take the bridge to the right when the path changes to dirt). There is a sort of 4-way intersection in a half mile or so. Go left, uphill to the north. You will be hiking on the south side of the ridge slowly rising in elevation and getting great views of the lake and ski resorts. You will cross over a saddle and to the other side of the ridge where you will enjoy views of Holcomb Valley as you cruise along. At 2.2 miles you will meet up with the PCT and go left, north, keeping Holcomb Valley in view (remember you went right, south, here going to Bertha Peak). Continue on the PCT past two road crossings, an access road and Polique Canyon Road as it dives into Holcomb Valley. The point you turn off the PCT is critical. After the second road, the PCT travels along the south side of the ridge for about 1¼ miles. You can see the lake. Then it crosses a saddle, a low point on the ridge, and moves to the north side. This only happens once, and this is the spot where you’ll leave the trail. You’ll head uphill to the west, which is going to be to the left of the trail as you stand on the saddle. Looking around you should discover an old, overgrown fireroad that heads uphill to the west. You will encounter multiple fallen trees across this old road, but you must persist in following it uphill along the ridgeline. You can see into Holcomb Valley on the north and down to the lake on the south as you climb. You will come to a steep climb where the rocks are white just before a level clearing with good views. This is the false summit and it has a yellow post on it. We have not found the name of the summit on any map, so we just call it “Little Delamar”. It has the best views of the hike so make sure you stop for a photo op either on the way up or down. From Little Delamar you can clearly see the real summit. Continue on the overgrown road as it proceeds downhill along the ridge to a saddle and then start climbing again. The trail becomes harder to follow and there are several trace paths crawling up the side of the hill from here. If you find a good path, take it upward. Minimize your impact on the forest when you’re off trail. The rule is, if there is a road or trail, use it. If there is not an established road or trail, then you want to avoid creating one. The top of the mountain flattens out (you can see the dome shape when you look at the hill from far away). The real summit is located somewhat towards the south end, and maybe a bit toward the west side, of the flattened area at the top. There is a noticeable pile of large rocks and a yellow post marking the summit. Pay attention when you are headed back down to go northeast off the summit back the way you came. If you get discombobulated, aim downhill and make sure you can see the lake!

Questions & Comments

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