During the drive around the lake to Grout Bay it’s obvious this is a busy Big Bear weekend and there are a lot of people in town. John Daskam, Steve Dietz and I pass the marinas and they’re hopping, the Village is bustling, and there’s more cars parked at the Castle Rock trailhead than I’ve ever seen.

    So why are there only three or four cars at Grout Bay’s well-developed trailhead? It’s only a 15-minute drive here from town so it’s not that out of the way even though it on the “other” side of the lake. There are nice picnic tables, water, rest room facilities, and lots of parking for those displaying their Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/season at the Discovery Center). The hiking is beautiful and the trail concludes at 7,920 ft. Gray’s Peak, an accessible pinnacle for those who persevere.

    Grout Bay, located on the west side of North Shore Dr. just outside of Fawnskin, is always one of the most under-utilized spots in Big Bear and I have no idea why. Cougar Crest no doubt is packed today yet Grout Bay has a better trailhead, more shade, sprawling forest views and great lake views. Yes, the hiking is a little more difficult and the three-mile trail is a little farther than Cougar Crest, which is a mile shorter, but Grout’s a lot cooler on hot summer days.

    You don’t have to walk far to get a good taste of what this hike is all about; as the path winds above the highway lake views quickly unfold. We’d see more water if Grout Bay was full but the meadow-like lake bottom that unfolds is scenic enough and towering pine trees surround us. Pretty soon a couple families pass us on their way down and that pretty much wipes out the parking lot. We’ve got this trail to ourselves!

    After a mile the path reaches the top of a ridge and winds behind, merging with forest road 2N04X for about a half-mile of dull, dusty walking. We ignore the road that veers left and follow the signs to the two-mile long Gray’s Peak cutoff.

    Here the hiking really takes form. Meandering through heavily-forested gullies and small canyons, we see distant peaks all around as we climb steadily. Make no mistake, this is no Sunday stroll in the park. Reaching the top calls for a 1,200 ft. elevation gain from the trailhead, but the climb, though persistent, is never grueling and we make good progress.

    At one point we wrap around a peninsula-like ridge that refreshes with cool breezes even on a warm day. Panoramic views stretch all around, from the lake to mountains to canyons and an infinite number of trees. Perfect place for a break, before assaulting the last mile to the peak.

    Unlike most climbs the uphill remains at a steady pace even as we approach the summit—there’s no brutal grind as we near the top. Gray’s Peak becomes discernible, a round, tree-filled top immediately above us. Soon we see the lake again and the trail comes to a halt where numerous boulders offer breathtaking valley views.

    The peak isn’t really bagged by trail. To rightfully claim the top and sign the summit register proving our triumph, we have to scramble up a well-beaten route another 50 feet. At the top, where we can’t go up any farther, there’s a group of rocks and a can with the trail register inside.

    We sign in and survey our surroundings. Views 360-degrees in scope lead off in every direction, interrupted only by tall trees that we have to peer around. No matter; the valley stretches to the east with the lake below us, Mt. San Gorgonio looms in the distance with the ski resorts in the foreground, the wind whistles and we’re alone.

    The hike back is quick, as all that uphill we were doing translates into speedy downhill, and is uneventful except about halfway down we encounter a young woman running, not hiking, up the trail. We’re training for a backpacking excursion and are therefore carrying heavy packs, but even so we’re surprised when she passes us again on the way down just before we get to the parking lot. She jogged all the way to the peak and back!

    I don’t advise running Grout Bay trail, though. Walking is just fine, for you’ll want to savor the views.

    —by Marcus Dietz

    Call Discovery Center at (909) 866-3437.