My California - Independence Day on Delemar Mountain

derekrichardson (67)adminin SoCal Steemit • 5 days ago

For this weeks Show Us Your California contest by @socalsteemit I headed up into the San Bernardino mountains for a fun independence day camping trip on...

Delemar Mountain!!

Every 4th of July Big Bear city does a big fireworks show on Big Bear lake. I've known about it for years, but never gone up there to see it. And a few years ago on a previous trip I found what is probably one of the absolute best views overlooking the lake on the summit of Delemar mountain. So this year I got the idea to go back for the 4th and watch the fireworks from there. Which did not disappoint. I had planned the trip months in advance and as it got closer I was getting more and more excited. And then finally it was Independence day. I headed up into the mountains to Big Bear. The lake was packed with boats and the shores were lined with fisherman. I'd never seen it so busy up there. I headed out along the north shore of the lake though the town of Fawnskin. Then I turned up Polique canyon road which is a dirt road that ultimately leads north over into to Holcomb valley. But right where it crests the ridge it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail(PCT) and I stopped and parked in a small turnout there. I threw on my back pack and headed northbound on the PCT a couple miles through a mixed forest of big Junipers, Jeffery pines, Sugar pines, and Douglas Firs with occasional openings where i got some awesome views overlooking the lake. After about 2 miles or so I got to the junction for Delemar mountain. The first 2 miles on the PCT had been nice and gradual hiking, but the last half mile passed the junction was straight up the side of the mountain. Extremely steep and loose. I went really slow and had to stop and rest several times, but before long I was on the top!

Parking on Polique canyon road

On the PCT

Views of the lake

The trail junction (unmarked)

Looking north over Holcomb valley

Views of a big mining operation NW of Holcomb valley.

Arriving at the summit

The actual summit is a big granite outcrop, but just near the outcrop there is lots of nice relatively flat forested area that is great for camping. I got my hammock hung up and got my food hung up in a tree and then headed up onto the summit rocks to enjoy some views. I sat there for awhile watching all the boats moving around on the lake, and watching the squirrels and chipmunks play and the birds flying through the trees. It was a really pleasant afternoon and I was really enjoying being up there. After awhile I headed back over to my camp. I relaxed in my hammock for a bit, and then as the sun started getting low I had my dinner and then put on my warm clothes for the night. It wasn't all that cold yet, but there was a light breeze and I knew once the sun went down it would be.

My camp and the summit

The summit

Overlooking the lake with Mt. San Gorgonio towering in the background

The summit

Once I was fed, bundled up, and had my food back up in the tree, I headed back up to the summit as the sun was setting. As I watched a beautiful sunset I could see the boats on the lake getting ready for the fireworks show. Once the sun was down I knew it wouldn't be long, but before the Big Bear show started I noticed some lights out to the west. It was the Lake Arrowhead fireworks show, which I didn't even know about. So I actually got to watch 2 shows as well as getting to see some fireworks going off way out in the high desert. Once it was nice and dark the Big Bear show finally started and it was incredible! As I suspected I had the perfect view and the way that the fireworks reflected off the lake made it extra awesome. The show went on for about 45 minutes or so and of course ended with a big finale. After the show was over the Snow Summit ski resort, which was directly across the lake from me, turned on the resort lights lighting up the lake. I know they had an Independence day event at the summit of the resort so I figure the lights were for people to be able to ride the lifts down the mountain to leave, but it also lit up the lake giving light while all the boats made their way off the lake. I sat and watched until all the boats were off the lake and the resort cut their lights leaving it dark once again. Once all that was done I made my way back to my camp and climbed into my hammock for the night. The breeze was still blowing, but it actually wasn't all that cold and my sleeping bag was plenty to keep me nice and warm.

Watching the sunset

Watching the boats get ready while the sun sets on San Gorgonio

Sunset

Waiting for the show to start

Watching the Lake Arrowhead show

Still waiting for the Big Bear show

It finally starts!

Watching the show

Fireworks

The Snow Summit lights after the show

The moon

In the morning I woke up early to a beautiful sunrise. I had a small breakfast and then headed up to the summit to enjoy some morning views before packing up camp. Once camp was all packed up I headed back down the steep half mile of trail down to the PCT and then southbound on the PCT back to my truck at Polique canyon road. After driving down the dirt road I decided to head down to the north shore to hang out and relax by the lake for a bit before making the drive back down the mountain and back home. And all in all, as I had expected, it turned out to be a really epic trip!