Earlier, I wrote about California foliage in Mono County, but this week the L.A. Times blog had a story about some fall color that’s a bit closer to home – an aspen grove near Big Bear.

I first heard about this place from Kolby, who’s spent a lot of time in the San Bernardinos over the years and really knows that place like the back of his hand. He hiked in the Aspen Grove for Hike #58 (not posted yet), and now the Times says the area hit peak foliage over the weekend, and should last for another week or two.

The Times blog offers these directions to the Grove, noting some of the driving may be a bit difficult for low vehicles:

Directions: To get to Aspen Grove from Big Bear Lake take Big Bear Boulevard to Highway 38 east. Drive about 17 miles to Heartbar Campground. Look for the 7,000-foot elevation sign as a marker. About 100 yards after the elevation sign turn left at the entrance to Heartbar Campground Forest (Road 1N02). Follow 1N02 until it forks right to 1N05. Go right up 1N05 (this is the rough patch of forest road) to the signed Aspen Grove Trail parking, 2.6 miles in from Highway 38. After crossing the creek, take the trail to the left. After 1.5 miles, the trail joins the Fish Creek Trail (8,180-foot elevation).

Image by tibchris.

Tags: aspen grove, fall, foliage, San Bernardino National Forest