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Bristlecone Trail
🌲 Forest Trail
1.8 mi
easy

Bristlecone Trail

Snow Summit / South Shore
Dog Friendly
🥾 Hiking
🚴 Biking
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

Easy 1.8-mile multi-use trail near Snow Summit and Buttercup Campground — open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Bristlecone Trail is an easy 1.8-mile hike, bike, and equestrian route starting and ending off the Fire Service Road near Snow Summit and the Buttercup Campground. It connects to the Skyline Trail and Forest Road 2N10, making it a useful link in the broader south-shore trail network. Multi-use and beginner-friendly.

🌟 Why Locals Love It

Easy connector trail. Good for an after-work walk or quick bike loop.

What to Expect

Flat-to-rolling forest trail. Multi-use. Connects to Skyline Trail and 2N10 fire road.

💡 Good to Know Before You Go

Adventure Pass required. Trailhead near Snow Summit base area.

Best Time to Visit

Spring through fall.

Notable Features

Multi-use trail
Connects to Skyline Trail
Snow Summit area

Practical Info

Fire Service Rd near Snow Summit & Buttercup Campground, Big Bear Lake, CA
Dawn to dusk
Near Snow Summit / Buttercup Campground — Adventure Pass required
200 ft elevation gain

Amenities

Trailhead Parking
Adventure Pass Required
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Explore Everything BB

Everything BB is your premium guide to California's beloved alpine escape — the lake, the cabins, the Village, the slopes, and the mountain. Curated for the people who live, escape to, and vacation in Big Bear. Part of the Everything California network.