The San Bernardino segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) presents hikers with a dynamic journey where expansive views meet diverse landscapes, all forged by the region’s shifting elevations and changing vegetation. This portion of the PCT, spanning roughly 40 miles between the south edge of Big Bear Lake and the Mojave Desert’s fringe, challenges and rewards with every step.

Begin near the Angeles National Forest boundary, where towering Jeffrey pines sway in the mountain breeze, daring you deeper into the forest’s embrace. The trail climbs steadily here, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation across mixed terrain—rocky stretches, pine-needle soft paths, and occasional patches of loose scree requiring careful footing.

As you push higher, the scenery opens. Peaks thrust upward with rugged confidence while below, valleys and ridges fan out into the distance. The San Gorgonio Wilderness punctuates the horizon, its ridges fiercely holding the line between wild and accessible. The wind carries whispers of ancient journeys, pressing you onward.

Midway, the PCT skirts along high ridge lines that reveal the Mojave Desert’s vast expanse against the eastern horizon. The sharp contrast from forest to desert is a tangible shift in climate and ecosystem—here, chaparral scrubs fight for space in rocky soil, and the sun challenges your endurance. Shade can be scarce; water sources are fewer and often seasonal.

Approaching the desert’s edge, the trail threads through juniper and manzanita, their twisted forms like guardians watching over the transition between worlds. This segment offers a panoramic showdown—mountains bowing out to endless desert flats.

Hydration strategy becomes key. Carry ample water, use filtration for dependable spring and stream sources in cooler months, and know the locations of reliable water caches. Footwear with firm ankle support helps on mixed terrain, where loose rock and steep grades demand sure footing. Timing your hike from late spring to early fall maximizes weather reliability but prepare for sun exposure and sudden winds.

From the crisp mountain air to the sprawling desert views, this San Bernardino section is an adventure scripted by nature’s dual personalities: the forest that invites with shade and freshness, and the desert that tests your grit under an open sky. Both demand respect and preparation.

For hikers ready to engage with landscapes that are fiercely themselves, this PCT segment offers vital lessons in stamina and observation. Each step unfolds with a new vista or terrain challenge, making this stretch not only a test of hiking ability but a profound encounter with nature’s contrasting forces.