About
In 2006, representatives from several local agencies came together to begin addressing the needs of non-motorized trail and transportation use in the Big Bear Valley. This Coalition was the seedling that grew into the Foundation and continues to meet and advise the Foundation semi-annually.
MOU with the San Bernardino National Forest
The Foundation entered into an official Memo of Understanding with the US Forest Service in 2009 to “to plan and implement mutually beneficial programs, projects, and trail opportunities in and around the Big Bear Lake Valley area of the San Bernardino National Forest.”
FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS:
Chairman – Phil Hamilton
Phil is a 40 ++ year resident of Big Bear and retired in 1999 after working in education for 37 years. He worked in Bear Valley for 27 of those years and was a teacher, counselor and administrator over the course of those years. He concluded his career working in the County Schools office. He was one of the founding members of the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation and has served as its chairman since its inception. The picture is at the conclusion of a 200 mile hut system ride from Telleride, Co to Moab, Utah. And yes we had just come out of that snow you see in the background. The thought of dying up there had crossed my mind. Other riders are Rudy Macioge and Steve Hirschler.
Vice Chairman – Randy Putz
Randy’s passion for hiking, running, and riding Big Bear trails led him to the doorstep of the early Big Bear Valley Trails Coalition, which he helped transform into the current Foundation. When he is not on the trail, Randall creates destination marketing products and provides services that benefit visitor-based businesses and increase area tourism. He also serves on the Bear Valley Unified School District’s Board of Trustees.
Secretary – Angela Meyers
Angela was bitten by the cycling bug in early 2010, and has been riding and racing ever since. An avid hiker from an early age, and a fan of the outdoors, Angela trys to spend all of her free time outside, exploring new areas, and pushing herself to new limits. Angela has been in Big Bear since 2009, after she decided the Orange County life just wasnt for her. Angela’s favorite trail to hike is the Castle Rock Trail, and her favorite trail to bike is Cabin 89. Angela encourages everyone to get off the couch and get outside. “A whole world of adventure is waiting for you!”
Director of Biking – Craig Smith
Craig and family moved to Big Bear Lake fulltime in 2000. An avid downhill skier and general outdoors enthusiast, Craig found his cycling passion in 2006 and has been riding a bike ever since! Trails Foundation was a great way to get involved to improve and expand the trails system throughout the Valley. Dedicated bike lanes, bike routes and expanded mountain trails are all his goals. Craig was a founder and currently serves as President of the Big Bear Cycling Association, Co-Chair of the Amgen Tour of California Local Organizing Committee and Chair of Tour de Big Bear. When not doing biking things, Craig works on several home businesses, real estate development projects and manages a large rice farm in Louisiana.
Director Trail Maintenance – Peter Sutherland
Father of two, cyclist, hiker, Big Bear resident, transplant from New Zealand, employed at Omya California in Lucerne Valley. Peter passes along his apologies for not writing more, but he’s currently on a week long work trip. In the alps of Switzerland. With his road bike. And he says he still misses Big Bear. Aahhh…..
Director at Large – Colin Schour
Colin is an avid climber, cyclist and runner-through-the-woods. Born and raised in Big Bear, Colin is continually amazed at the vast wilderness he has yet to encounter surrounding this beautiful valley. When he is not exploring new territory, he is exploring students’ minds as an employee of the Bear Valley Unified School District. He has yet to decide which is more adventurous…
Director of Equestrian – Audrey Scranton
Audrey has been retired for 3 years, after 31 years with the Forest Service where her time was split between working for fire, wilderness and recreation/trails. She has lived in Big Bear for 37 years and still spends much of her time trail riding in the mountains with her Tennessee Walking horse…Mollie.
Treasurer – Gary Keller
Gary has been a Big Bear Valley resident since 1973, enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, snow shoeing, watersports, just to name a few of the outdoor activities that this valley has to offer. He also wields a wicked polaski and mcleod as he shapes and melds trails to look fantastic!
Director of Hiking & Winter Activities – Ed Wallace
Ed is a 10 year resident of Big Bear having moved here after a 30 year career in the engineering and construction industry where he managed major oil and gas projects on the Alaska North Slope,Venezuela and the lower 48 states.He is an a avid hiker and leads hikes and backpacks for the Sierra Club.The picture was taken on Mt. Whitney at the near conclusion of a 30 day backpack of the John Muir Trail and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Director at Large – Rachael Ghrist
Rachael spent her first 25 years of her life living in Louisville, Kentucky before becoming a California girl. She enjoys most anything outdoors and active as long as it involves being warm, including pushing herself to the limit with 3 Ironman triathlons and other endurance events. When she’s not doing any of the above you could probably find her at home hanging out with her pack, Matt, Bob Digger, Harper and Mel (a man, 2 dogs and a cat)…”and we’re thinking about adding chickens.”
Director-Encouraging Trails Use-Driz Cook
Driz hails from Colorado, and after living in other outdoor type towns like Boulder, Durango, and Moab, he found himself in the mecca for the next generation…Big Bear! He has successfully survived in the field of outdoor education for the last 15 years and currently works at a local outdoor science school. When not attempting to teach himself to be a carpenter, website designer, tractor driver, chimney cleaner or accountant, you can find him trying desperately to be both a good father to two wonderful children and a loving husband to the best wife in the world…Dawn.
NON VOTING BOARD MEMBERS:
Sara Miggins – Discovery Center
Director New Trail Development-Siri Eggebraten
Siri is a Dakotan transplant who works as an urban planner for the City of Big Bear Lake. As a professional, Siri focuses on community development and the integration of the City with and the ecosystems that surround it. Her favorite days away from work involve multiple activities such as rock-climbing in the morning, midday mountain biking with her dog, Tierra, and an evening horseback ride. Siri’s loves getting dirt under her finger nails and prides herself on having learned to handle a chainsaw, a polaski, and a mccloud while doing trail work with the Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation.
LIAISON:
Michael Perry – Special Advisor
With more visitors to our Forest than both Yellowstone and Yosemite combined, it is no wonder Big Bear’s trails are over-used & under-funded.
Help us improve this valuable natural and economic resource.
Mission Statement:
“The Big Bear Trails Foundation is a broad base of unified stakeholders
committed to creating, enhancing, preserving and promoting nonmotorized use
of Big Bear Valley trails and roadways for the enjoyment
and transportation of residents and visitors.”
The Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit public benefit corporation. Contact us at:
Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation
PO Box 4008
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
909-585-3467
info@bigbearvalleytrailsfoundation.org