Pineknot Trail Big Bear review for a panoramic forest hike

The Forest Service places Grand View Point about one-quarter mile beyond the Forest Road 2N10 junction, at an elevation of 7,784 feet.

Reviewers praise the broad panorama and manageable grade while noting that hikers share the trail with mountain bikes and horses.

The route

The Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point is a route that begins at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area. It travels south through a forest composed of white fir and Jeffrey pine trees. For the initial 1.5 miles, the trail is shared with those on horses and mountain bikes. The trail proceeds to a viewpoint situated at an elevation of 7,784 feet.

This path covers approximately 7.5 miles for the round trip. It involves an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet. The Forest Service classifies this trail as moderate to difficult. The Forest Service visitor guide suggests that June through October are the most suitable months for hiking in this region. Trails in the area are often covered in snow for the remainder of the year.

The destination

The trail culminates at Grand View Point, with views of Big Bear Lake, the surrounding forest, and the surrounding mountains.

The Aspen Glen Picnic Area serves as the trailhead for the Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point. This area is located on the south shore of Big Bear Lake, near the Village. A parking pass is required for the Aspen Glen Picnic Area; an Adventure Pass is needed, according to the Forest Service.

Scoring criteria

Views and payoff measures what you see along the way and at the end. Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point scored 8 out of 10 for this criterion. Reviewers praise the broad panorama at Grand View Point.

Trail quality measures the tread, the markings and the upkeep. It received a score of 6 out of 10. While mostly gradual forest climbing, the trail is shared with bicycles and horses.

Access and parking measures how easy the trailhead is to reach and park at. This criterion scored 7 out of 10. The Aspen Glen Picnic Area serves as an established picnic-area trailhead.

Crowds measures how busy the trail gets. It scored 5 out of 10. The trail is longer than the area's short viewpoint hikes, and regular bicycle, horse, and hiking traffic make solitude less likely.

Overall assessment

The overall score is a weighted sum of the four criteria, totaling 6.8 out of 10. The gradual forest route and wide final panorama are key features.

The Forest Service places Grand View Point about one-quarter mile beyond the Forest Road 2N10 junction, at an elevation of 7,784 feet. This point offers a wide panorama.

A key limit is that the trail is shared with bicycles and horses. Additionally, an Adventure Pass is required for parking at the trailhead.

Forest Service Trail 1E01

The Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point is identified by the Forest Service as Trail 1E01. This route covers a distance of 6 miles for the round trip. Hikers can expect an elevation gain of approximately 900 feet during this trek.

Navigating the route

As you journey along the Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point, you will cross Forest Road 2N08. The path continues onward and passes by the Deer Group Camp. Before reaching the spur that leads to the viewpoint, the trail intersects with Forest Road 2N10.

From Forest Road 2N10, a quarter-mile spur extends toward the viewpoint. This section offers sights that look out toward Mount San Gorgonio. The entire Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point experience is a 6-mile round trip with an elevation gain of 900 feet, designated as Forest Service Trail 1E01.