>> Back to Delamar Mountain -- Delamar Mountain: Hiking Trail Guide
12 miles
1900 feet gain
6/10
Fawnskin ,CA (92333) 77.18 miles from you Weather Map
Take the 38 East two miles past Fawnskin. There is a sign 1/4 of a mile away from the turn and a sign for the parking area and Big Bear Discovery Center directly at the entrance. It is hard to miss. There is a restroom area and limited parking. Follow the paved road for a couple hundred feet and continue straight on the very wide trail.
The trail stays this wide for exactly a mile. I could've easily driven my truck up it (don't - I'm sure you'll be ticketed) but I bet even a passenger car could make it up the trail almost a mile. It is very wide and easy going. Amazing views of Big Bear and San G open up about 1 1/2 miles in.
Once it becomes a trail, it stays gentle and climbs to the PCT - here you must turn right and follow it past Delamar Mountain - you'll know you are passing it. Once past it, you'll come to a steep 4WD fire road - a PCT marker and cairn mark the steep road - climb it to until it becomes a mountaineer trail, and follow it to the top.
This is a great hike. The Cougar Crest trail to the PCT is very easy. Anyone should be able to undertake it, especially if you are out for relaxation and resting along the way. I was able to boost my usual climbing average from 3.0 miles per hour to an even 3.4 along this trail, so it is very evenly graded and easy to hike.
The area itself is beautiful loaded with Fir, Pinyon and Lodgepole Pines. Many are dry and dying from drought and beetle infestation, so see this area while you still can, and hope that real rains will come again and in time this area will return to its former glory.
Once the views open up of Big Bear Lake and the San Gorgonio Wilderness, you might think you are in heaven. Nope you are still in San Bernardino County, just a much nicer part than you may normally be used to.
The peak itself is pretty non-descript. The view is not so wonderful although if you cross country a few hundred yards south, you have a much nicer overview of the lake.