Big Bear, California: In the midst of summer as the temperatures on the Southern California valley floor heat up, the mountains of Big Bear are host to the off-roaders of the Inland Empire 4WD Club. Six years ago, they banged their heads like they do rocks and initiated a tremendous fundraising event that has soared to new heights.

This is a huge event that Off-Road.com will cover from the event site in the mountains surrounding Big Bear, California. Visit the Inland Empire 4WD Club at www.ie4w.com for all the details regarding this event. Face your fears-Get out and live life!!!

The Big Bear Forest Fest

Story by Laura Monroy & Photos By Mike Moore

Big Bear, California: Six years ago none of us would have ever guessed it would go so well. There we sat, a room full of Inland Empire Four Wheelers, racking our brains to figure out how we could raise money to donate to CA4WDC and our local Forest Service.

We knew both organizations needed our support to keep mountain trails open and properly maintained for recreational use. But how could we make a difference? Just like in the cartoons, it seemed a collective light bulb popped into our heads.

We’ll invite fourwheeling families to join us for a summer weekend filled with scenic trails, homemade food, 4x4-minded raffle prizes, kid’s activities and the friendliest social atmosphere one can dream up. It was decided that August would be a good month for the 1st Annual Inland Empire Four Wheeler’s Big Bear Forest Fest.

It would be a good time for people to trade the grueling summer heat in Southern California for the crisp air and gentle sunshine of the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear, CA.

It went better than expected! We had about 40 registrants who thoroughly enjoyed the rock gardens of the John Bull & Holcomb Creek trails, took in the sights high above Lucerne Valley on the Onyx Summit & White Mountain trails, and cruised through historic Big Bear backroads learning about the rich mining history that brought thousands to the area back in the “Gold Rush” days.

Little did they know it, but while IE4W’s guests were out working up an appetite on the trails, our BBQ extraordinaires were back at camp smoking enough Tri-Tip & Chicken to feed a small army.

Every IE4W member lent a helping hand but strangely enough the one person who was usually in the thick of things was nowhere to be found. Randy Stockberger was not out leading a trail run, he was not flipping meat on the BBQ, he was not leading the kids in Limbo or a Hoola Hoop game . . .

“Where is Randy?” was the question on everyone’s mind. The clock struck 4:00, just two hours until dinner was to be served. As trail groups started rolling back into camp and sharing their day’s adventures, Randy emerged from his motorhome covered in white powder from head to toe.

He proudly smiled and lifted his arms to the sky. There, perched atop his hands was the most beautiful chocolate cream pie I had ever seen! I asked him where he got that pie. He sheepishly told me that he made it. I said “I hope you don’t show that to everyone because they are all gonna want a piece”.

He returned with an ear to ear grin and said “they all can have a piece because I made 12 of them, all different flavors from Boysenberry to Pecan!!” Needless to say, the guests went wild over Randy’s pies. Even after stuffing themselves on our All-You-Can Eat Tri-Tip beef & chicken, there was not one crumb of Randy’s pies left.

Everyone wished they had worn their elastic waistband leisure suits to the raffle as they sat in anticipation of who was going to win the Warn Winch that seemed crowded by all the other prizes packed on the raffle trailer.

As the last raffle ticket was called, event goers found that the fun was not over yet. Our special guest, “Three Feathers” found a warm seat around the campfire and began to entertain the kids with Mountain Man stories. Before he knew it “Three Feathers” had a wide circle of adults & kids captivated by his theatrical delivery of life experiences. I think he would have talked all night but by the time midnight struck most had drifted off under the sea of stars in the crisp mountain sky.

As I look back on that first event, I can’t help but smile proudly. We had so many satisfied guests our first year, that next year’s event doubled in size and this year we expect over 500 guests to join us! Over the years the proceeds from the Big Bear Forest Fest have enabled IE4W to present CA4WDC with numerous monetary donations earmarked for such legal funds as Surprise Canyon & Coyote Canyon. Our donations to the San Bernardino National Forest Service include a chainsaw, pole saw, and other useful tools as well as a 4x4 video library available for viewing at the Big Bear Discovery Center. We are so happy to be able to make donations to the organizations that help our 4x4 community to enjoy the freedom of exploration. As this year’s event draws upon us, we hope you will join us in a weekend of four wheeling & comradery that you will never forget! For more information please our advertisement in the InGear or email Pattie Montalvo at forestfest6@ev1.net or call Pattie at (909) 689-7275.