Two weeks back, our SCBMWRC crew—Arcadio, Carl, David V., Eric, Jimmy, Michael, Rafael, Ric, Ryan, and me—tackled the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR), weaving through rugged trails and soaking in the wild beauty from Mammoth to the Oregon border. That ride sharpened our skills, but it’s surprising how fast they can fade. My throttle hand was just starting to feel normal again.
This Sunday, I got the itch to hit the dirt again. Ryan tossed out an invite to the group, but when no one else jumped in, it was just the two of us. The plan: start in Pioneertown and ride the Burns Canyon Trail, a 20-mile dirt path through the San Bernardino National Forest, up to Big Bear for brunch.
We met at 7 AM at the Morongo Casino Travel Center, the desert sun catching our BMW R 1250 GS bikes. Over coffee at Starbucks, Ryan was sipping a protein shake, and we chuckled about how the BDR had us feeling on top of our game not long ago. The trail looked fresh from recent rain—no dust, some wet patches still lingering.
We rolled out, turning north from Pioneertown onto Rimrock Road, where pavement gave way to the dirt of Burns Canyon. The trail climbed 3,300 feet, blending rocky stretches, sandy patches, and pine-scented air, shifting from desert Joshua trees to Big Bear’s alpine vibe. Rated easy to moderate for 4x4s, it was a solid match for our bikes.
The trail opened with wide desert views, Joshua trees scattered under a clear sky. Ryan rode ahead, setting a steady pace, while I took it slower, enjoying the scenery and easing into the unfamiliar trail. He’s all about the technical, rocky sections, while I prefer the faster, sandy stretches where I can let the bike flow.
About a third of the way in, we passed a group of four-wheelers—Jeeps, pickups, and a couple of SUVs. One pickup, running street tires and looking like a 2WD, stood out. Ryan and I exchanged a look, both thinking, That’s ambitious. We wondered how it’d handle the tougher bits ahead.
Riding off-road is as much about reading the terrain as it is about the views. The BDR had sharpened my instincts, but two weeks off had me a bit rusty, especially on the sandy sections I love. Ryan, meanwhile, navigated the rockier parts with ease, his bike handling the loose stuff like it was nothing.
Halfway through, we took a wrong turn into a narrow canyon that became a rocky mess—Ryan’s kind of terrain, not mine. He caught the mistake quickly, turning his 1250 around smoothly. I wasn’t so lucky. Trying to maneuver through the rocks, my front wheel caught, and down went the bike. We got it upright, dusted off, and carried on, passing the old Rose Mine, a nod to the area’s gold-rush history, before stopping for a quick break.
The trail climbed higher, Joshua trees giving way to pines, the air cooling as Big Bear’s peaks came into view. Then came the real challenge: a steep, rocky uphill rated expert-level. Ryan powered through with precision, while I struggled. Halfway up, my rear wheel sank into a hole, the front facing a sharp incline. Rather than risk another fall, I hopped off, working the throttle and clutch to inch the bike forward. It was slow and sweaty, but I made it to the top, heart racing but relieved. Ryan, waiting above, just nodded, letting me sort it out.
At the summit, we looked back at the climb. “No chance that 2WD pickup’s making it,” Ryan said, and I agreed. The Jeeps might manage, but that street-tired rig? Doubtful.
The rest of the trail mixed Ryan’s rocky playground with sandy washes where I could open up the throttle. Each section felt like a step toward regaining my BDR edge. A couple of hours later, we hit pavement in Big Bear, the lake sparkling in the distance. We parked at the Broadway Café, tucking into fluffy pancakes—a solid reward for the ride. Despite the wrong turn and my one spill, it was a smooth day, with the expert climb as the biggest test.
Burns Canyon isn’t the toughest trail, but it’s got enough variety to keep you sharp. It’s about making smart choices—adjusting to the terrain, finding your rhythm. A ride like this, capped with a great breakfast, is the perfect way to rebuild your skills and turn a Sunday into a story worth sharing.
Ralph
Trawlercat Chronicles 