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Big Bear Lake Off-Road Adventures
Rate it! Votes (3) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Photos: Mitch Mandell Posted July 13th, 2008 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California, by John Robinson, (2006, Wilderness Press)	San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, USA - Doug Walton, proprietor of Big Bear Off Road Adventures offers visitors a unique look in the area around Bear Valley. Usually these glimpses into the wilderness terrain could only be seen by hikers, and well conditioned hikers at that. But with the help of a German all terrain Pinzgauer or his mega-souped up van -- aptly named Bigfoot -- Walton can reach some of Bear Valley's remotest and picturesque places.

Bigfoot, who started life as a cargo and passenger van at a research facility in Antarctica before being bought at auction by Doug, can handle just about anything the rough and tumble trails and mountain fire roads can throw at him (I am assuming here that the van is a him). Doug even does tours in middle of winter - actually one of his favorite times to go off road exploring, and with a vehicle that survived the worst that Antarctica had to offer, Big Bear is a breeze.

Doug's trips range in duration from a couple of hours to a full day's adventure and there's a wide variety to choose from. An entertaining and knowledgeable guide, Doug fills every tour with tales of local history and lore that really give visitors (and even locals) a new appreciation for the surrounding mountains and valleys.

One of the more fascinating tours is through Holcomb Valley, site of the largest goldrush in Southern California where you'll see evidence of mining in Bear Valley both past and present. Along the way you'll trace the route of the first non-natives to arrive in Bear Valley in 1845. Their "discovery" put the wheel in motions for a lot of Big Bear history that's been taking place ever since including horse rustling; a rootin' tootin' wild west boom town that no longer exists; Hollywood movies; battles between Disney and the Sierra Club over the nearby pristine wilderness (the Sierra club won); and much more.

Doug Walton is literally a walking, talking encyclopedia of Bear Valley knowledge - from the time of the first settlers to today. Equally as impressive as his knowledge of local history is that way he seemingly knows every inch, bump and curve of every trail and fire road that winds its way through the surrounding mountains and forests. If you're looking for a unique perspective on the geography, topography and history of this fascinating area of the country, you'd be hard pressed to find a better guide than Doug Walton.

You can also hook up with Doug through the Big Bear Discovery Center, as he runs many of their special tours.

Practicalities
Off Road Adventure tours run from 1 1/2 hours to 5 hours. For more information about all the tours offered by Big Bear Off-Road Adventures or to make a reservation call 909-585-1036 or visit their website at www.offroadadventure.com.

For more information about Big Bear, to book accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, visit the Big Bear Resort Association's website at www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR.

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