This was a great trail to hike. Parking was easily accessible. No pass was required to park. The weather was nice and there was a breeze when we went a couple weeks ago. We did nearly nine miles. The trail connects to different trails which is how we covered that distance. The views were great and my puppy enjoyed running parts of the trail with me. It's a definitely a place where you can bring a light lunch to picnic with. I would come again and do different parts of the trail. read more

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Nice moderate hike right outside the village. Some more strenuous switchbacks at the start, and then turns into more of a gradual uphill the rest of the way. Downhill almost the whole way back except for a few small stretches. Intermittent sunny and shaded areas. Some viewpoints of the lake and mountains but no real showstopper. Not much in the way of interesting vegetation in August, but lots of chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and lizards. Clearly marked with official trail signs, spray paint, and neon ties. read more

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This is Pine Knot 1E01. We loved everything about it. Super easy to find. Parking lot at base of trail. QR code to pay a $5 parking fee. You'll feel a slight climb occasionally but the trail expertly has switchbacks that alleviate a steep ascent. Before reaching Camp 89 (on map) there is a gorgeous vista of Big Bear Lake and the pine covered mountains. Another plus, very shaded throughout the whole hike. You'll meet bikers and dogs along the trail and everyone is enjoying the path. Highly recommend! read more

Pine Knot Trail - Beautiful vistas of Big Bear Lake and pine covered mountains. - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Amazing trail! Great views of Big Bear Lake all around, especially at the top! This trial connects and leads to others further beyond which I wish I had time to do! Must do trial 10/10 do recommend! read more

You need an Adventure Pass for the lot, but you may there are some limited street parking. Thee as some picnic tables at the beginning of the hike. I hiked 2 miles of this with a toddler so it took a while, but the partial shade was nice. I also hiked most of the 6+ miles but wasn't quite sure if we ended up at the Grandview point. There are some split trails so it was good to have a navigation app running to check if we were on the right trail. Would return for future hikes. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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One of my favorite hikes in the area. We parked in the picnic area parking lot. There are plenty of spaces to park and restrooms to use. We were here in mid October and many of the leaves were changing to a beautiful yellow gold. It's my favorite time of year... still warm enough during the day and the air is so crisp. The pine cones have started to fall off many of the trees. This hike if you do the full trail, will take about 3 to 3.5 hours round trip. The trail is well manicured and easy to walk on. However, there are a few steep parts. (huff and puff) Be sure to take water with you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Happy trails! read more

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Park in the aspen glen picnic area but make sure to have a parking permit in your car! When we were leaving a bunch of cars had tickets, so make sure to prevent that by getting the adventure parking pass. It's only $5.50 and you can get it at a handful of stores around town. The trail is marked well with signage and blue indicators on trees as you go. You get beautiful views of the lake as you go higher through the trail. I wore regular athletic shoes and felt fine on the hike. Would definitely recommend for a quick hike in big bear! read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Easy - Moderate hike. Well maintained paths, mostly slight incline uphill. Mostly shaded 7.5 miles RT. 2.5 hours + 15 minutes on top. (To know you are on the right path, you will pass by a Deer ground group camp ground 2/3 of the way). No clean public restrooms on the way, so if you need to pee, use the bushes like I did, lol. Don't use Yelp Addy : search on google maps for Pine knot trail or Aspen Glen picnic area and park there. View at the top : mehhh but it was a great walk. There are a few look outs with views of the lake and mountains. Ratings: I like Pine knot trail more than Cougar Crest trail read more

A trail that highlights NOT Big Bear Lake but the San Bernardino National Forest. Step 1: Purchase a $5 Adventure Pass or other pass like the National Park Service annual pass. Step 2: Park in the Aspen Glen Picnic Area lot on Mill Creek Road. Step 3: Use one of multiple trailheads in the picnic area. Keep wandering uphill as the trails eventually converge into one - the Pine Knot Trail as marked by signs with maps. A dirt road also goes to the top, but a trail is more interesting, safer, and less dusty. Sporadic views of Big Bear Lake appear between the trees. Step 4: At 2.2 miles is a junction with the road and when things get good. Look up for a tree top growing at a 90-degree angle (see pic). Perhaps the knot in this pine is what gives the trail its name? Look down for red ant hills made with pine needles that are knee high (see pic). Pass through the Deer Group Campground with meadow which was dried out on our drought visit but likely gorgeous when green. Step 5: Cross Grand View Junction where seven pathways intersect including the Skyline Trail. The first view of the valley south of Big Bear appears. Step 6: At 3.3 miles and 900' elevation change, arrive at Grand View Point with view of the valley, the peak of San Gorgonio, and a small chunk of the Inland Empire. Not entirely "grand", the views are partially obscured by trees. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Sideways tree top - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Really enjoyed this trail. It was a moderate hike that was doable for our kids and dogs. The trail offers plenty of shade and is dog friendly. We didn't make it all the way to the top (because kids), but did make it up to an area that had big rocks and a great view of the lake. Can't wait to come back and do the entire trail with the dogs! read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Beautiful moderate trail with breathtaking views and plenty of lush greenery! Total of 7-8 miles round trip (depending on if you get lost or not) for a 3-4 hr hike. Despite plenty of shade along the trail, be prepared for bright/sunny patches and some steep inclines. Bring lots of water and good shoes! - Limited parking in the Aspen Glen Picnic Area Lot, but there's additional parking along the street a little bit down the road. Make sure to purchase an Adventure Pass beforehand! (You can purchase a day pass for $5 at any store along the way- bought mine at 7/11) - Very clean trail with little to no trash. - Trail markings throughout. We got a bit lost at the fork and near the end because we didn't realize the blue markings on trees were directional! To get to Grand View, carry on straight through "Adopt a Trail" and you'll pass Deer Campground. Keep following the trail straight until you see signs that veer off to Grand View. Note that Knickerbocker Rd will also loop you to View Point, but this is mostly a bike trail. - Views at the top were great and there was a shaded rocky area perfect for a picnic. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone willing to get a bit sweaty and dehydrated! read more

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Just love this hike in BB. Go early to miss the crowds and bring lots of water and snacks. Jodie views of the lake Nd surrounding areas. Highly recommend read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Loved this trail. You're in the middle of the forest but the trail is perfectly clear. Lots of great views and shade for resting. It is a tough hike, but a great workout. And it's dog friendly! We went without a parking pass and so we didn't use the picnic area parking. Instead we parked along the road...and no ticket. Other vehicles did the same. Will be returning, but next time we'll make the most of the nice picnic area as well. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Lake view...not even at the top yet! - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We got to Big Bear Oct 18-22. Perfect weather, crisp air, blue skies. Best to hike early morning or afternoon. We did Pine Knot on the 2nd day...felt so winded initially and the elevation was getting to us. Fai6rly steep at times but not difficult, the problem is if you do it on a warm day, that sun with dry air will get to you. Loved the views and since we came here during the week, zero crowds...we passed 6 people total, all wearing masks, all staying away. Big bear has a mandate - masks mandatory. We didn't eat out downtown, too many people, cooked instead and relax. I highly recommend Pine Knot Trail but on your second day of hiking after you arrive so you don't get so winded. Don't recommend it with kids unless they're teens, dogs must be conditioned or used to hiking with you, it's not an "easy" trail and it's very long. Instead after the day of your arrival, start with Cougar Crest trail...very easy, 15-20 degree at times type hike, beautiful views of the lake, awesome benches to sit and relax or each lunch or take photos. read more

Yay! Excellent! We followed the trail directions from this site: http://nobodyhikesinla.com/2010/08/16/grandview-pointpine-knot-trail/ The trip up to the point is beautiful - pine trees, fairly well-shaded, gorgeous boulders. It was not at all crowded and my husband and I made it to the point without feeling very winded at all, even though it is a gentle incline for the most part. There are a few parts that will make you work a little more, but they are interspersed throughout. The trail, while still beautiful (and very well-maintained; directions from the aforementioned website really weren't that needed), started to get slightly monotonous a few hours in, which was also the point at which we saw signs saying that Grandview Point was near... Oh my gosh - it was an incredible view. A solid 180 degree view of San Gorgonio and the surrounding mountains and river valley; we were totally surprised and blown away by how picturesque it was. Although it's the middle of April, and CA is still in a dought - there was tons of snow on the mountains (the ones we saw from Grandview Point, not on the actual hike). Just gorgeous and totally worth any slight bit of monotony you might feel along the way. Cons: a few reckless mountain bikers, one of which was speeding around a blind corner and almost hit my husband. Parking requires a $5 adventure pass; you can get it at Bear Valley Bikes, which is at the intersection of Mill Valley Road and Hwy 18. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Hands down, my favorite hike I've done since I moved to San Diego 7 years ago. Big Bear always seemed like a little to far for a day trip from downtown San Diego, but during COVID when I'm not driving the rest of the week, and I have no big weekend plans, the 2 1/2 hour drive each way really wasn't a big deal. And the last 50 minutes of that drive is BEAUTIFUL. Mountain views, lake views, wildflowers etc! Purchased an annual adventure pass at a liquor store on the way up (I have no idea if it's required these days or not, but figured I'd grab one so I don't have to worry about the parking). There's a small lot at the trailhead, we arrived around 10:30am on a Sunday and grabbed the second the last spot. I'd imagine the lot can fill up quickly at peak times. The trail is also SUPER well marked. At any turn or split off, there was a sign of which way to go. I also had service for the majority of the hike, and checked our route on All Trails a few times. 3.5 miles to the peak, there's a place where a bunch of trails converge at about 3.3 miles where a lot of people stopped, but continue following the signs to Grand View Point another quarter of a mile, it's worth it!! The view was stunning. Sat on a rock and enjoyed my lunch, and then we hiked back, making it a little bit of a loop, which extends the trail to 8 miles instead of 6.6. I like the idea of not doing an out and back, and we got to see some different sites, but it also made the last 2 miles of the hike along a road where there were some cars driving. It definitely was a moderate to difficult hike, and it's at altitude, I was pretty much thirsty the entire time, so bring a lot of water! read more

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The trail is about 3 miles to the top and it's a great hike if you're a beginner hiker. Not too mountainous and there's plenty of places to rest. If you're not use to elevation change I'd bring plenty of water. I'm from San Diego and I did notice it was a little harder to breathe and I got dehydrated faster. The trail is also dog friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We walked this trail today and while the views were beautiful I guess I should have taken a map with me. We parked at aspen park, got an adventure pass from the little green building by the road. I took my daughters with me ( age 4 and 11) and it was hard for them but it was beautiful. It's mid July and it was not hot at all. Lots of up hills and you caught views of big bear lake as you walk. But BEWARE of the mountain bikers, they come barreling down towards you and just randomly yell how many more bikes are coming. Kinda disappointing because the visitors center said there were waterfalls and there wasn't. But, it was a nice hike. The trail got thin on some spots kinda scary for my kids with the huge hills they could fall down but it was beautiful. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

This trail was moderate... but filled with tons of shade. Dogs are allowed on the trail and even allowed off leash... the picnic area is still closed... but it's all good ...the view and scenery was just breathtaking read more

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Loved this trail. We went inJuly 2020 and it was pretty empty. We have an adventure pass, so we could park in the little lot. There are different trails, and the one we took brought us up to a beautiful view of the lake. The trail kept going, and we only hiked maybe two miles in and back. read more

I prefer longer distance, moderate hikes over short, intense hikes with lots of steep inclines... [especially at this altitude where I can barely breathe as it is] which is why we opted for the Pine Knot Trail on this last visit to Big Bear over the more popular Castle Rock Trail and I already can't wait to come back. The hike starts our VERY rocky and treacherous! The ground is uneven and blanketed with rocks the size of baseballs, almost deterring me from continuing on. The rocks disappear about 1/4 of a mile into the hike and the ground becomes like any regular packed dirt trail, nice and smooth, soft like sand in some areas, with little to no danger of rolling an ankle besides some sparse trail irregularities. Not a big deal. As you climb up the very gradual incline you are surrounded by all that beautiful Big Bear forest, giant xmas trees and other pines, tons of sequoia looking trees, lots of interesting plant and animal life, and even a couple of really awesome lake and mountain vistas at certain points. There are tons of picturesque scenes for snapping pics, which is one of my favorite things to do while hiking. From start to finish the hike is a little over 6 miles, and like I said, moderate in difficulty [there were lots of young children, and people of all ages really, flying up this mountain with much greater ease than me] Mountain bikers also use this trail, but for the most part are courteous and use bells, whistle, or alert you well in advance so you have time to step to the side. There is plenty of shade and some nice cool breezes, making this is a great way to spend a few hours on a hot summers day in Big Bear and burn a few hundred extra calories. To park and access this trail you need to grab a five dollar Adventure pass beforehand, and we did so at a nearby 7-11. For a full list of businesses selling these passes check bigbearcountry.com. A year's pass will run you $30. Scenic, well maintained, moderate, mountain hike! read more

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For parking, go down Mill Creek Road, directly across from a bike shop and next to Hillcrest Lodge. There is a lot at Aspen Glen camp ground. I picked up an adventure pass for five bucks at 7-11 on big bear Blvd about two miles from the trail. It's good for a day. Head through there ground and the trail starts on your right. You need to walk about five minutes to get to the trailhead. There are many switchbacks on mostly sandy trail. The colors in October is mostly green with some yellow and orange. If you want to stay on Pineknot and head to the grand view point, once you see the first map sign of the whole trail system, head through the trail that has a sign for adopt a trail. It will pass deer group campground and you will see the posts for Pineknot. You can still hit it through knickerbocker road but I only saw bike tracks. It took about 80 minutes to reach grandview point at a brisk walk. But the best view was of Big Bear Lake. A pine cone fell down and many of the petals spiraled down to the trail. They are littered everywhere. Saw a huge falcon like bird, many squirrels, and lizards. The trail is very clean without a single piece of trash anywhere. And there are blue, white and pink ribbons to guide the trail. There are also blue spray paint around tree trunks. You do need to bring an extra layer as the shaded parts can get chilly in the morning when I hiked it. read more

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First, a few important points (some of which I gleaned from fellow yelpers): - Buy an Adventure Pass for $5. You can get it at the visitor center (cash only), discovery center, or the 7-11 (which is just minutes from the village. -Park at the Aspen Park Picnic Area. We went around 9am on a Saturday and there were plenty of spots. -The trailhead is past the restrooms. The hike begins to the right of the Pine Knot Trail sign. I was dumb enough to start at the left of it, which made for some cool steep climbs. But, still... Hikers! This is app 7 miles of hiking if you choose to enjoy the view from Grand View Point. I highly recommend it, btw. Some shade from the trees at certain points, some winding sections, clear markers along the way, and definitely a thin trail for most of the hike. With that said, beware of mountain bikers! I'm pretty sure you're not looking to get hit. All in all, a decent hike. I liked it because I just love hiking. But, I give it 3 stars because I have a weakness for steep inclines, and this trail didn't really offer much in that department. Oh, and the trail may get tricky at some points, because it intersects with other trails somewhere in the middle. This is where the detailed guidelines from the Modern Hiker came in handy. Here's the link: http://www.modernhiker.com/2009/03/31/snowshoeing-pine-knot-trail/ Enjoy!! read more

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I enjoyed a gorgeous hike on the Pine Knot Trail to Grand View point today. I began at 9am and it was a perfect sunny day. I had my husky Sassafrass with me, of course. The trail is about 7 miles round trip if you start counting at the parking lot and go to the Grand View Vista. It took me just a little bit over 3 hours. I did enjoy a rest at the vista, and stopped to take a lot of photos along the trail. There were squirrels chipmunks, lizards, and lots of beautiful birds around. Also a few wildflowers. You park at the Aspen Glen picnic area on Mill Creek Road. I purchased my Adventure Pass at the Big Bear Visitor's Center for $5. Make certain that you display your pass when you park here! The terrain varies throughout the hike. Ups and downs and a few switchbacks. The trail is very well marked with little blue diamond markers along the way. I wore hiking sandals and the trail was fine for that type of footwear. I consider it it a easy to moderate level hike. There is the option to continue on Skyline Trail and Seven Oaks Trail. I saw very few others hiking today (Wednesday), and a few mountain bikers. I really enjoy being out there by myself! I imagine that the weekends are busier. I definitely recommend the Pine Knot Trail. read more

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We loved this trail! We went on a Thursday in the late morning and there were very few people on the trail. We did not see any mountain bikers until we were almost back to the parking lot. There are restrooms located at the parking lot, and a small outdoor restroom at the group camp site about ¾ of the way up. Another reviewer said it was about 7 miles round trip. The hike is somewhat shaded but you will need to bring a lot of water (I drank two 32oz Nalgene water bottles and it was not very hot) as there is no water on this trail. The hike is not too steep, I would rate it moderate. Another reviewer said that there is a picnic area about half way, but it's not a picnic area, it's a group camp site, and I think it's actually a lot more than halfway because it only took about 20 minutes past that point to reach the Grandview Point. Also, the view is incredible. I could have hiked twice as far for the view and been content. This is an excellent hike, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a somewhat lengthy hike that is not a full day hike. DON'T FORGET YOUR ADVENTURE PASS! read more

Pine Knot Trail - Part of the view from Grandview Point - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

It was a fun hike and 7 miles round trip from the trailhead to grand view point. - Park at Aspen Glen Picnic area - Get an Adventure Pass - After about 2 miles has passed, you will see cross roads but you keep going straight and follow " adopt a trail". When you see camp ground area, you are on the right track - The trail is well-marked and shady read more

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This hike is wonderful! We were siked to find such a beautiful dog friendly trail to roam through the forest in. Growing up in Seattle I grew to love the forest and although I wouldn't trade my SoCal life, I definitely miss the forest once in a while. Coming here was so healing, rejuvenating and peaceful! The dogs also enjoyed it and were exhausted after! The whole trail was 8 miles long and it took most of the day. So worth it though and great exercise. The pictures don't even do it justice. read more

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A friend told me about the trail and that it went to the village. I was told it was about 3 miles! Took my two small dogs and headed out over prepared. Thank goodness I brought my lunch and plenty of water. The trail to the village is about 10 miles. It was beautiful and mentally cleaning. I did okay but did not wear the right hiking shoes. My 3 legged dog was resilient and a trooper. The views were spectacular. I'll do it again and brink the dogs but just better shoes. Oh and my hiking stick really helped me. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We had read about this dog friendly trail in a local magazine and were excited to try it. It was brisk in the morning but being August we had to get an 8 am start to beat the heat. The magazine told us it should have been 6 miles round trip but it ended up being closer to 8 miles. We parked and started at the picnic area and soon enough we were shaded by the tall pine trees. There are a few different trails you can take so be sure to have a map if its your first time. You can take a shorter trip but we were in for the long haul damn it. We made it to the top, the Grand View Point! We were stunned with the views of the valley's below us and all the pines crawling up the mountains surrounding us. My wife turned to me and asked "Do you hear that"? It was absolute silence, being from San Diego, this was pretty non existent. It started getting hot on our way back, so make sure to bring some water for you and you dogs. Highly recommended. read more

Please DO NOT park in driveway! Park on the road! Cabin owners need access as do water, propane and septic trucks. read more

This trail is a pretty decent workout with a gradual incline, although it's much less shaded than I anticipated based on other reviews. Bring more water than you think you need. I ended up not making it to grand view point because after getting to the Deer Group Campground I realized that my camel back was nearly empty and I only had a 20 oz bottle of water left to get me the next mile to the view point, and then back the other 3+ so I turned around. A few additional tips in addition to the water one: - bring sunblock - anticipate mountain bikers (they won't stop usually, and probably can't really because they're going so fast) - I'd allot about 45 min/mile on the way up factoring in a few stops to appreciate the views (you'll be able to see the lake even if you don't make it to grand view point) - get an adventure pass: you need one to park near the picnic area at the head of the trail - I'd also bring bug spray (I didn't and was bitten up) This is a nice hike, and next time I'm in Big Bear I aim to make it all the way! read more

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The hike was great, it wasn't too hot, there was a good amount of shade, and the views were great. Also, my dog definitely loved the hike! read more

Pine Knot Trail - Wonton loved the hike! - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

One of my favorite hikes I've ever done! Sooooo absolutely beautiful. Astounding views from every direction and the trail is extensive and connects with others so you can make it longer if you want. I loved this trail so much. We started around 1 and went all the way to the grand view and then made it back down to the picnic area by 6. I will cherish the experience hiking on this trail forever!!! An absolute must do if you are in the big bear area. read more

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This review is for beginner level hikers. If you are pro or fit please disregard. This trail kicked my ass. It was snowy and uphill most of the way in the beginning. I almost lost a friend up there. Not literally but figuratively. That bitch would not wait for me. So I guess kind of literally. Don't take a date here unless you want him to see what you'll look like while giving birth. Admittedly the harshest part was post holing my way to the top since I didn't realize it would be so snowy and wore sneakers. I read the reviews and it sounded so breezy so just be prepared if you know you're a little vanilla when it comes to hiking。Surprise ending though because I did make it to the top and the view was beautiful and all the things everyone else said. read more

Pine Knot Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Pro Tip: set your GPS and park at Aspen Glen picnic ground. The Pine Knot trailhead is in the back of this picnic ground. If you follow the Yelp address, it takes you to a random spot up a road past the trail head. This trail is huge. It would take around 6-7 hours total if you begin at Aspen Glen and make it to Grand View and then double back stopping for lunch. This trail is one way and does not connect with other trails. The only trail map is at the Aspen Glen parking lot so take a picture of it. Once on the trail, it is difficult to get lost as the trail is well marked. You have one split at the very beginning that gives you to option to turn right onto Cabin trail. This is a different trail altogether. Pine Knot is "easy" level difficulty insofar as the grade and footing of the trail, but since it is so long, I would call it moderately difficult. Half way into the trail, about after 2 hours of hiking, you find a picnic area so make sure you bring lunch with you. My only qualm is that you have really no idea how far along the trail you are since the trail markers are just blue spraypaint instead of real markers with distance information. I just find that a silly oversight. Most hikers will double back before reaching Grand View point as the sheer distance is not well communicated by signage. If you are not prepared for a 7 hour adventure, you will have to turn back early as well. Trail is dog and kid friendly. Last tidbit, the trail you have to share with mountain bikers. This adds some extra annoyance, but the bikers should be courteous and not ruin your experience. read more

It's nice to go out so we decided to go to this place to hike but we noticed there's fee for parking.

Arrived here and didn't even realize there was a fee for parking, so returned from hiking to find an envelope on the windshield--but only need to mail in the $5 parking fee, that's it. I should've remembered to bring my America the Beautiful annual pass! Nice trail that's about 50% shaded. read more

I love pine knot trail! We were in Big Bear Lake for memorial day weekend, and went 2 days in a row. One of the days we did the entire hike (important note: its 1/4 mile from the beginning of the trail to the sign that marks the trail head, and another 1/4 from the technical end of the trail to the summit, so be warned that in total the hike is 7 miles, not 6 if you go to the top). The next day I just did a trail run of about 3 miles, which was a good challenge. The hike itself is pretty, and fairly difficult. Not too bad, but not easy either. Make sure to be cautious of people on bikes if you go during a crowded time. But everyone we encountered was super friendly, so that helps. Views at the top are amazing, so hike the extra quarter mile to enjoy them. Dogs are allowed on leash, in case you have a dog that can handle it. Just bring lots of water, as the first 1-2 miles are pretty open and exposed. read more

Found *GPS device* on trail -it it yours? Probably flew off somene's bike... if you lost it on 7/26/2015 let me know (and state the make and model of the device) so I can help reunite you with it. Great trail, nice pace of altitude gain and scenic path though the view at top not very gratifying. Still, happy to spend time hiking this. read more

The Pine Knot Trail is a great hike. We parked the car at the Aspen Glen Picnic Area a and displayed the adventure pass on the dash. (Note: The day pass costs $5.00 and be found at the visitor centers as well as most gas stations. Not every trail needs a pass so find out before you set out.) Pine Knot is well maintained and has very clear signage making it easy to stick to the trail. You should definitely keep going to Grand View Point (just 1/4 mile at the end of Pine Knot) and reward yourself with the stunning view. We did the hike, there and back, in 2 1/2 hours but I've seen people say it took them longer. It's not super difficult but there is a lot of uphill walking so it is quite physical. Come equipped with proper shoes - sandals just won't cut it. read more