Shay Mountain

Little Shay and Shay, taken from Hawes, photo by Kathy Wing

Shay, photo by Sharon Moore

Little Shay and Shay, taken from Hawes, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Shay Mountain

20F

Elevation

6714

feet

Status

active

Region

Big Pine Flat Area

Range

San Bernardino Mountains

Nearby peaks

Little Shay Mountain, Ingham Peak, Deer Mountain

Location

34.3083379,-117.0858723

Description

Shay and its neighbors Little Shay, Ingham and Hawes, all named for local pioneer families, lie in the area of Little Pine Flat area of the San Bernardino Forest northwest of Big Bear Lake, split by Cox Creek. These four peaks are often hiked in a picturesque loop route of country road, meadow, gully, and ridgelines. They enjoy lovely views of Lake Arrowhead and the San Gabriels to the west, and the impressive forested mountains of Big Bear to the south. The four peaks are typically hiked together in a loop.

Route 1 can be reached on Coxey Road 3N14 either from the north or the south on seasonal high clearance road; the route starting from Fawnskin in the south is shorter and better road. The trail proceeds south on old road until turning southwest, weaving between formations to the summit. One can continue southeast from there on ridges to Little Shay and Ingham.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

1500′

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

8 miles round trip on road and firebreak through grasslands and pinyon-juniper woodland

Estimated time

3-4 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the south:
Drive to the town of Fawnskin (east on I-10 to I-215, then north to SR 210, then east to SR 330, then north to SR 18, then east to the dam at Big Bear Lake, then north on SR 38).
Turn left (northwest) on Rim of the World Drive (3N14) in Fawnskin (paved for first 1/2 mile). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.3 miles, fork with 2N13 to the left and 3N14 to the right. Keep right.
At 1.8 miles, fork with Holcomb Valley Road (3N12) to the right. Keep left.
At 2.0 miles, Hanna Flat with 2N68 to the left. Go right.
At 4.4 miles, stream crossing and junction with 3N93 to the left and 3N08 to the right. Go straight.
At 6.0 miles, fork with 3N97 to the left. Go right.
At 6.9 miles, junction with 3N16 at Big Pine Flat. Keep straight.
At 7.0 miles, entrance to Big Pine Flat Campground. Keep straight.
At 10.5 miles, junction with 3N41 on the left. Go left a short distance and park by the gate.

From the north:
Drive east on I-10 and north on I-15 to the Hesperia turnoff.
Go east on Main Street in Hesperia for 7.2 miles to the “Y” junction of Rock Springs Road (on the left) and Arrowhead Lake Road (the main road continuing on the right). Turn left (east) on Rock Springs Road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 2.9 miles, Kiowa Way on the left. Continue straight as Rock Springs Road becomes Roundup Way.
At 5.9 miles, pavement ends. Continue east.
At 7.3 miles, intersection with the Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right (south).
At 8.2 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 9.4 miles, junction with Coxey Truck Trail (3N14), turn left. This is the turnoff for Round Mountain and one of the Luna Mountain routes. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
Drive 4.4 miles, pass through a gate.
At 7.3 miles at the junction with 4N16 continue south on 3N14 for another two miles to parking area.

Hiking route

From the parking area (5908′), hike south past the gate, following the old roadbed about 0.4 mile to another gate.
Continue past the gate, following the old roadbed and trail segments about 1.2 miles to a wide flat area beyond the site of Hawes Ranch, signed “Muddy Springs – 3”.
Follow the Muddy Springs Trail west for 1 1/2 miles to saddle 6240’+. Note that the trail has been re-routed from the track shown on the topo. It now swings north to the saddle west of bump 6212′, then traverses gently south to the saddle.
Turn right and follow the ridge north about 3/4 mile to the summit. The peak is the northeast bump on the summit plateau.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

High-clearance

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Alternate routes: It is possible to hike west past bump 6044′ and then north up the ridgeline firebreak to the peak, passing over bumps 6427′ and 6592′. This route has dense stands of poodledog bush near the summit of Shay Mountain.

Special conditions: The area is popular with deer hunters. The season begins the 2nd Saturday in October and runs for 30 days.
Dirt roads are seasonal. Call Big Bear Ranger District at (909) 866-3437 for information.