Gray's Peak Hiking Guide
Gray's Peak is the Big Bear summit most visitors never hike, largely because it is closed during the season when many of them visit. The trail climbs from the north shore near Fawnskin through pine forest and granite outcrops to a summit view over the lake and the San Bernardino high country. Its defining feature is a seasonal closure protecting wintering and nesting bald eagles — a restriction worth understanding before you drive out and find a locked gate.
The Seasonal Closure Comes First
The Gray's Peak Trail closes for a stretch of the winter and early spring to protect bald eagles that winter around Big Bear Lake and nest in the area. The exact dates are set by the Forest Service and can shift year to year, so treat any date you read online as approximate and confirm with the Big Bear Discovery Center before making the drive. This closure is actively enforced and exists for a real reason — the eagle population here is a genuine conservation success worth not disturbing.
Trailhead and Route
The trail starts along the north shore near Fawnskin, off State Route 38 west of the Discovery Center. An Adventure Pass is required. From the trailhead the route climbs gradually through Jeffrey pine and manzanita, passing granite outcrops, and gains roughly 1,200 feet over about three and a half miles. The grade is moderate throughout with no sustained steep sections, which makes the seven-mile round trip feel more approachable than the numbers suggest.
The Summit
Gray's Peak tops out with views south across Big Bear Lake and out toward the higher San Bernardino peaks, with the Mojave visible to the north on clear days. Because the trail is closed for part of the year and starts away from the main village, this summit sees dramatically fewer people than Cougar Crest a few miles east. On a weekday in early summer you may well have it to yourself, which is not something you can say about most Big Bear trails.
When to Go
The practical season runs from roughly late spring, once the closure lifts and snow has cleared, through autumn. Early summer brings wildflowers and green undergrowth; October delivers crisp air and long views. Summer is comfortable at this elevation, though afternoon thunderstorms are a regular feature in July and August and the summit is exposed. Snow can linger on shaded north-facing sections of the trail well after the closure period ends.
Wildlife and Preparation
Beyond the eagles, this corridor supports mule deer, coyotes, and a healthy bear population, and the relative quiet of the trail improves your odds of seeing something. Make noise on blind corners. There is no water on the route, so carry everything, and remember that Big Bear's elevation dehydrates you faster than the mild temperatures suggest. Leashed dogs are permitted when the trail is open. Cell service is intermittent and disappears entirely in stretches of the climb.
Hiking tips for Gray's Peak
- Confirm the seasonal eagle closure status with the Big Bear Discovery Center before driving out — the dates shift year to year and are enforced.
- Go on a weekday in early summer for real solitude; this is the quietest of the major Big Bear summits by a wide margin.
- Expect lingering snow on shaded north-facing sections even after the closure lifts and the south-facing slopes have cleared.
- Make noise on blind corners — the low traffic that makes this trail pleasant also means wildlife is less accustomed to people.
- Carry all your water; there is no source on the route and the dry air at 7,000 feet is deceptively dehydrating.
Nearby trails to explore
- Cougar Crest
- Bertha Peak
- Woodland Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Gray's Peak rewards hikers who plan around the eagle closure and get the summit nearly to themselves. Use TrailMates to find Big Bear regulars who track the current closure dates and organize trips the week the trail reopens. Download the TrailMates app to find your group.