John Bull Trail

John Bull is OPEN.

John bull gate is closed. I asked ranger but told me is closed to due rain and possible snow. Wont be open until further notice. Gold mountain is open.

Came in from the Polique Canyon(2N09) side. The trail starts off pretty easy, smaller rocks but gets more difficult the further you get in and the rocks get bigger. There was snow and ice in all the places that stay in the shade. I def used low range and both lockers for a lot of the trail. I would def recommend lockers, body armor, and at least 37’s as I am in a full size Ram 2500 Power Wagon. I had to winch once cus I got high centered. I was alone and would recommend having a spotter and at least one other vehicle. I didn’t see anyone on the trail till the last obstacle. Def one of, if not the hardest trail in Big Bear and it’s a lot of fun.

The gate keeper has been partially removed for access for the fire fighters during the fire. It still has not been put back in to place.

Trail is closed due to the Gold Fire

Trail was dry and dusty. Loose sections from sand but not terrible difficult. No rock stacking required but some line picking is necessary. 2 vehicles in group and only took a couple hours. This was just before the fire so possibly the last vehicles to go through. 1 bike was coming down the trail (west to east) and another smaller open diff jeep got half way through the rock garden and then turned around after we pulled him off some rocks. We went east to west

The Gatekeeper is an honest obstacle. If you can make that there’s a few more similar technical spots but didn’t have too much difficulty on 37’s and lockers. Heading east to west the uphill is harder. The trail was fairly dry with only patches of snow still there.

Snow and mud added another level of difficulty. self recovered twice so make sure winch is in proper working order. Not many jeepers out on the trail just ran into one group with 3 jeeps. Sure was fun having the whole mountain to ourselves.

Minimal snow but I was lazy so I didn’t air down or really try to do much wheeling but looks like a fun trail, only got about a quarter way. Definitely not for just a quick 4 wheeling trip for a beginner, at least take someone.

Did the first half of the trail and exited at the turn off for the squeeze. Trail was pretty icy and snowy, we were sliding all over the place on the more technical features. Thankful I had my sliders and decent clearance or I would have been in trouble on this one. Took some pretty good hits on the frame, sliders and skids.