Siberia Creek begins at Bluff Lake, near the Champion Lodgepole Pine, and for those looking for a beautiful lush hike, the first mile of the Siberia Creek Trail is definitely a must see. The trail starts at the junction of the Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail, (look for the sign) continue straight ahead following the creek with the meadow on your right. The forest is thick, and as you wander through stands of magnificent Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine (some huge, 22inch diameter at base) and White Fir Pine, the trail is bordered with ferns and wildflowers including Wild Columbine (red) and Lupine. There are tiny waterfalls and meadows surrounded with wildflowers, with wonderful places to rest and take in the scenery. The wildflowers can be seen in June and July, however most of our photos were taken in October, which is equally pretty as the leaves begin to turn color. Our Photo Gallery will take you along the trail for the first mile, (these photos were taken between 9AM and 11AM). This is not a loop so return the same way.
If you continue through the gorge, (this means scrambling down over huge boulders), follow the trail through the open forested slopes of Lookout Mountain, then after you pass through a saddle, you head down the steep ridge westward to a junction with the Seven Pines Trail, 5 miles from the start. Turn right and follow the latter one-mile down to Siberia Creek Trail Camp. Return the same way which is all uphill.
- LENGTH:1st mile (2 miles round trip) is mostly level and an easy trip; if you continue through the boulder stacked gorge it is 12 miles round trip and strenuous.
- ELEVATION GAIN: 2500'
- CLASSIFICATION:Easy to Strenous
- HOW TO GET THERE: Forest Road 2N11 to the Siberia Creek Trail (from Big Bear Lake refer to directions to the Champion Lodgepole Pine).
Bracken ferns on Siberia Creek
Mountain bikers Siberia Creek