Sun-Seeker
Illinois
Full Member
Joined: 07/20/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
Is Rt 18 to Big Bear ok for a 27'?
|
gemsworld
Sunny Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/08/2009
View Profile
|
You'll be fine. Big rigs go to Big Bear daily to make deliveries. I would suggest not going to Big Bear when there is snow on the ground.
|
oldchief7155
VA
Full Member
Joined: 09/19/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Where from? If from San Bernardino, 330 to Running Springs, then 18 to Big Bear. 18 up from San Berdo thru Crestline adds about 30 miles of crooked steep road. 18 from Lucerne is doable but very steep and crooked. The easiest and best, but longest is 38 from Redlands.
12 years in BB with CHP.
|
Ram4Sam
Redlands, Calif
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
oldchief7155 wrote:Where from? If from San Bernardino, 330 to Running Springs, then 18 to Big Bear. 18 up from San Berdo thru Crestline adds about 30 miles of crooked steep road. 18 from Lucerne is doable but very steep and crooked. The easiest and best, but longest is 38 from Redlands.
12 years in BB with CHP.
Most of us locals use Hwy 38 to Big Bear, a little longer but more scenic and easier, less hectic route.
Sam
2001.5 Dodge QC2500 coal burner, 6spd,BD brake,a pile of other stuff!
little black box, K&N'd,only smokes a little....
2008 Thor Jazz 2870UK 5er
Driving a Dodge Cummins since 1991...
|
More To See
San Diego Area
Senior Member
Joined: 06/12/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I'd go with the long loop around to the east on route 38. Much longer but easy compared to 18. But if your rig has good pulling power go for it on 18.
Also --- route 18 on the north side of Big Bear connecting with the Lucerne Valley is a long tough pull. It is signed for a 16 percent grade up near the top. Don't know that it seemed even remotely like that steep of a grade at any point recently but be aware. There were some big dump trucks pulling that grade. But real, real slow.
Maybe an Illinois driver could handle a little snow.
95 Winnebago Vectra 34 (P30/454)
|
|
|
paulj
Seattle
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
|
But in Illinois they rarely use chains. As any who has watched Ice Road Truckers can tell you, chains are needed when you combine 3 things - a large vehicle, snow, and a grade.
|
AKsilvereagle
North Pole, Alaska
Senior Member
Joined: 04/17/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
I learned something from the posted messages here about CA 38 being the easiest drive up this mountain, never been on that route before....
My two visits in the area back in the 1970's were enroute via CA 330 and CA 18 and still remember to an extent how curvy and hilly both those roadways were...
My 'boot camp' was located at the Boy's Club facility in Running Springs during my Hollywood days and the camp was fun, and also visited Blue Jay at the ice skating rink, also visited Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake on field sidetrips.
Someone mentioned to me last year that there was not a whole lot of changes in the area between today and the 1970's other than a few more structures and a few more roadways added, tells me it is still a very nice area and not overcrowded compared to other resort areas.
1970 Ford F250 2WD Sport Custom (Owned April 1996)
390 V8 (23K Rebuilt Mi) C6 Trans (207K Original Mi)
2000 Fleetwood Angler 8ft Cabover
Air Lift 1000(Front)
Air Lift Loadlifter 5000(rear)
Hellwig Front and Rear Sway Bars
Goodyear G171 LT Series(siped)
|
willowmoss
On the Road
Full Member
Joined: 04/10/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I made this trip yesterday in my toad and totally agree with taking CA 38.
Willowmoss
2008 Winnebago 33' Voyage
Ford Chassis - 6.8L SOHC Triton V10 362-hp
Tow vehicle: 2009 Honda Fit, Roadmaster/US Gear
|
encrudecelk
Indianapolis, IN
New Member
Joined: 11/18/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi,
I'm also torn between torn between 2 routes and have been reading advice online including this ski resort review: http://www.mountainyahoos.com/SkiResorts........anBernardinoMtns_BearMtn_SnowSummit.html
I'll be coming from Loas Angeles so I would follow 30 to Hwy 330 to Hwy 18. However, based on the comments here, I would love to take CA 38 and see what scenery it has in store for me before I hit the snow for skiing 
|
lfloom
Pasadena
Senior Member
Joined: 09/03/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
I have done Highway 38 and also one of the twisty alternatives. I would never go up anyway but Hwy 38 again.
|
|
|
