I think this picture says it all...Dogs Love Jeeps!  This is our Chocolate Lab, Kingston, that joined us on our recent Big Bear trip.  As a puppy he grew up going camping with me on my motocross trips.  And he still loves getting out, going camping, and riding in our Jeep...some things never change.

With the goal of exploring new areas in Big Bear and also covering a lot of miles, we organized a day run up to Clarks Summit.  We started on the south-side of Big Bear off of Highway 38 near San Gorgonio Campground.  The trailhead marker is 1N04 off of Highway 38.

Overall, the days run would clock in at about 4 hours, including a few breaks...including lunch.  Total mileage is approximately 30 miles.

After airing down, we started the well-graded trail, which very gradually ascends the mountain side, passing by a few private camps along the way.

At approximately the six mile mark from the start of the original trail off of highway 38 is the intersection for Radford Truck trail number 2N06.  And despite the black diamond indicator on the trail marker, the biggest challenge was probably safely navigating around a lone mountain biker.

Ascending the mountain road, highway 38 quickly disappears into a sea of trees in the valley below.  The elevation gained on Radford Truck trail provides for excellent views across the valley and toward Sugarloaf Mountain.

Radford Truck trail was in fairly good condition this day; seems as if it were recently graded.

Sugarloaf Mountain is seen in the distance from the edge of Radford Truck Trail.  Sugarloaf peaks at 9,952 and is the tallest in the San Bernadino Mountain range.  In winter time, Sugarloaf Mountain would be covered in snow, of course only when it's a non-drought year in California.

At approximately the 12 mile mark, Radford Truck trail reaches Skyline drive, trail 2N10.  Skyline Drive is well graded and can be heavily trafficked in both directions.  Expect to see other off-roaders (including motorcycles and ATVs), hikers, mountain-bikers, and more.  Take care while driving to help prevent a head-on collision.

From the intersection of Radford Truck trail and Skyline Drive, turning west (left) onto Skyline Drive will lead to Clark's Summit (for a short hike) and eventually to the intersection for Clarks Grade.

The sign for Lodgepole Pine; head left.

At nearly 17 miles in, there is an option to hike out to Clarks Summit (we did not hike it this day).  And just after that point, is the intersection for Clarks Grade, trail marker 1N54 that leads down to Seven Oaks Road.

Clarks Grade is slightly more rough than Radford Truck Trail.  Though overall, easily traversed in a four-wheel drive vehicle with high ground clearance.  Possible for ambitious Subaru drivers.

Here there are more incredible views.  Though, keep your eyes on the trail while moving as this shelf-road could be unforgiving as many sections are sheer drop offs.  If you don't like heights, this may not be for you.

Arriving in the vast expanses of Monache Meadow at 8,000 feet elevation instills a humbling feeling that exemplifies our reason for escaping the confines of daily life.

Day two of camping in the Inyo National Forest took us on the Monache Trail adventure.  We expanded this days trail run by driving Jackass Meadow trail up to the Monache trail head.

Here is the Jackass Meadow trailhead off of Kennedy Meadows Road.

Taking the correct fork on Jackass Meadow trail leads up to Blackrock Road near Powell Meadow.  Make sure you travel with a map and GPS to maintain your course and not get lost.

Do you know the correct fork to take here?  Right? Left?

After exiting Jackass Trail and driving along Blackrock Road, there is a stunning view of Powell Meadow...just a teaser before making it to Monache.

Entering Monache trail on the primary dirt road.  The trail is approximately seven miles to Monache Meadow, plus another two miles to arrive at the primitive campsites.

Overall, the trail is easy and fun to drive.  There is a moderate technical rock section at approximately 1.7 miles that requires four wheel drive and high clearance.  Adding the additional two miles to arrive at the primitive campsites definitely requires four wheel drive (four low and a rear locker makes it easy) and high clearance is a necessity.

Here is El Chupacabra weaving between the trees and making easy work of Monache trail.  I think El Chupo was inspired by our Johnny Cash music, which made this section seem extra fun.

Taking a break along the trail to capture our rigs with Olancha peak in the background.

Crossing Snake Creek bridge at approximately 2.3 miles, prior to getting our first look at Monache Meadow.

At about 2.5 miles we were greeted by the vastness of Monache Meadow.  From this point, the trail continues through the meadow and includes a few whoop-di-doos.

At about five miles, there is a fork in the trail.  The dead end trail meanders down toward the Kern River.  Because we were planning to meet our motorcycling friends, we decided to stay left and continue on to the first crossing of the Kern River.

At approximately six miles is the first river crossing that leads to the other side of Monache Meadow, closer to Olivia's old ranch and a water spring.

Be sure to mind the boundaries and do not cross over any imaginary lines that are determined by marker posts.  Doing so can get you a violation from the ranger or at a minimum a stern warning.  Fortunately for us, we maintained on the trails at all times.  Tread Lightly, remember?

Does this not look like a swamp monster coming up from the bottom of a lagoon full of cow pee?
OK, it's just El Chupo exiting the first crossing of the Kern River...

After forging the first water crossing, we stopped to take in a closer view of Olancha Peak.

Continuing on from this point, it is worth crossing the meadow and driving up to the abandoned structures of Olivia's, just make sure to look with your eyes and to not disturb the things that exist there today.  The trail up to Olivia's is approximately one mile and ends in a turn-around to exit the way you entered.

The real cowboys were supposed to be "driving cattle" this weekend.  We were hoping our timing was right so the kids could take in the sights of cowboys in action, but this day we were not so lucky.

Though we did get to see lots of cows roaming the open fields.

Forging the Kern River a second time before taking a mid-day break for lunch and waiting around for our motorcycle friends to arrive.

The kids had a lot of fun exploring the Kern River and searching out fish in the deeper sections.  Fortunately no kids fell in the water this day.  Just be careful to not step in a fresh cow pie...

Our family photo in Monache Meadow with Olancha Peak in the background.  

We brought our Big Agnes shade to provide some protection from the sun and wind while we enjoyed lunch and continued our wait for our motorcycling friends to arrive.  Aren't motorcycles supposed to be faster on the trail than Jeeps?  We waited and waited...

Just as we were getting ready to eat everyone's lunch, the group arrived.

Here I am jumping in with many long-time moto friends for a group photo.  Next year I too may be doing this run on a motorcycle.  No, seriously.

After our late afternoon lunch and visiting with friends, we explored out to the edge of Inyo National Forest to reach the South Sierra Wilderness.  Travel into the South Sierra Wilderness is restricted, so we stopped at the gate and turned around.

From Monache Meadow, we explored Bake Oven and the Monache Meadows "sand dune".  Our final destination was the end of the trail and primitive camping sites where we had originally planned to camp, except for the restrictions on campfires during this dry summer, which had changed our ultimate choice of a camping location.

The final section of trail, which is completely optional, is moderate and requires four wheel drive and high clearance.  The Kern River crossing is deeper and longer in this section, but not a problem for the Jeeps.

We exited Monache trail using the same route that we entered.

Because dinner time was approaching and the kids had fallen asleep in the back seat (they slept even while we were wheeling on Monache trail), we decided to drive Blackrock Road down to Sherman Pass and back to camp.

Passing by Smith Meadow, it was impossible to not to stop and photograph this lush landscape.

Have you ever run Monache Trail?  If not, we hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure.  Maybe you will join us next time!

Thanks again to Robin Reid for editing our pictures.

With the summer sun heating up the southland this Fourth of July, it was no surprise to have thousands of people migrating to the somewhat cooler climates of our coastal beaches.

In a reversal, we decided to head out to the lower Sierra mountains where we were more likely to see a bear on the trail rather than another human being.

The day before the Fourth, we quickly packed our gear into the Jeep, strapped the kids into their seats, and were on the road by noon.  Driving north on highway 15, we steered toward highway 395, which would bring us to the high desert elevation of approximately 4,000 feet.  By the time we reached our turn-off point from highway 395 and pointed our rig toward the climb into the Sierra Mountain's, the temperature would peak at 111 degrees Fahrenheit!

While our original plan was to camp out in Monache Meadows this long weekend, our dry California winter resulted in fire restrictions that would prevent anyone from having a camp fire in far reaching areas of the Inyo National Forest.  And because we had planned to cook some of our meals on the open fire as well as marshmallow toasting for the kids s'mores, we needed to make a plan B.

As luck would have it, we had good friends camping in Troy Meadow this same weekend, where campfires were fortunately allowed.  We decided to connect with our friends for a weekend of camping.  While the larger group would be on two wheels and tackling the beauty of single track trails, us four-wheelers would seek out alternative routes for taking in the sights from the cool climate of the 8,000 foot elevation and forest covered mountains.

While the mountain temperatures were expectedly cooler than the desert below, we planned to use our REI Kingdom 6 summer tent, which was the right plan as day-and-night time temperatures were warm and comfortable.

Fourth of July morning kicked off with a hot coffee from our Jet Boil french press.  Plus some half and half to make a quasi-latte.

Here I am with my homemade Warn coffee mug that was my co-pilot for making breakfast burritos.

After breakfast, we went out for some initial exploration on Beach Meadow and Lion Meadow trails.  We knew the second day of wheeling would be an all-day adventure, so we tempered our ambitions.

Here is the 21S02 trail head off of Kennedy Meadows Road, approximately one-half mile from Black Rock Station.

Before heading too far into Beach Meadow trail, we aired down for a softer ride.  Everyone seemed happy for letting air out of the tires.

Beach Meadow trail is fairly tame and provides for beautiful views of the distant hills and the valleys below.

Along Beach Meadow trail, the single track motorcycle trail parallels some sections and eventually drops down into the meadow.  We decided not to hike down to the meadow and instead continue on.  However, Beach Trail eventually came to an end with overgrown plants and small trees.

After reaching the end point on Beach Trail, we regrouped and considered our options.  We determined we should back-track and try a few other trails.

We explored Lion Meadow trail, however, this too turned out to be a dead end.  But nevertheless, it was fun exploring new territory.

And finally, we took Little Horse Meadow trail, which to no surprise was a dead-end as well.  However, there is a nice plateau at the end of Little Horse Meadow trail and would provide for an excellent remote campsite.  The bonus is a view of Mt. Whitney in the far distance.

A closer look at Mt. Whitney in the distance with a lone cloud floating above and a few patches of snow dotting the mountainside.

After our wheeling adventure, we headed back to camp to cook dinner over the open fire.  Salmon and corn on the cob.  Our new grill worked very well and provided ample space for cooking our dinner as well as for our friends that decided to take advantage of this authentic cooking convenience.

We will also be posting pictures from our second day of wheeling, where we explored Monache Meadow for an all-day adventure of trails, river crossings, and a little rock crawling.  Come back soon or connect with us on twitter to get our next update.

Photo editing credit goes to Robin Reid.  Thanks Robin!