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2022-05-14  
2015-08-03  
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Castle Rock Trail to Champion Lodgepole Pine, CA
mini location map2022-05-14
14 by photographer avatarmikemcg
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Castle Rock Trail to Champion Lodgepole Pine, CA 
Castle Rock Trail to Champion Lodgepole Pine, CA
 
Hiking5.28 Miles 1,044 AEG
Hiking5.28 Miles   3 Hrs   27 Mns   2.13 mph
1,044 ft AEG      58 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We were at Big Bear Lake for the Spartan Race, and decided on a relaxing evening hike. The Castle Rock Trail begins at a moderate incline, enough to get the heart going. It is a wide, well-maintained trail that passes through the pines and between large boulders. There are multiple overlooks with views of Big Bear Lake. We took a detour over to Castle Rock, a 100-foot outcropping, which we climbed up, to admire the 360° views of Big Bear Lake and the multiple peaks in the distance (including Snow Summit, the site of the Spartan Race).

We continued up the trail to its ending at FR 2N86, then continued to the trail along Bluff Lake, which was pretty and peaceful, with numerous chirping birds. There was a professional photographer taking engagement photos of a couple at a rock structure near the lake. We went beyond the lake and checked out the Champion Lodgepole Pine Tree, then turned and made a loop around the lake. The last 30 feet of the trail was flooded and swampy just before completion of the loop, and my left leg sunk about 1.5 feet into thick mud. I carefully extricated my foot and was able to salvage my shoe after a prolonged battle with the mud. We then headed back down to the trailhead and the Big Bear nightlife.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Lodgepole Pine
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Big Bear Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Bluff Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
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