Metate Trail
- Location: Western San Bernardino Mountains north of Lake Arrowhead. From I-210 in San Bernardino, take Highway 18 (Waterman Ave. exit) and go north for 14.2 miles. Turn left on Lake Gregory Drive and make an immediate right on Highway 189. Go a total of 2.7 miles on 189, through the town of Twin Peaks, and turn left on Grass Valley Road. (There’s a gas station at the intersection). This intersection can be a little tricky, so be careful. Go a total of 4.2 miles on Grass Valley Road (at 1.9 miles, look for a sharp left turn; if you stay straight, you’ll end up on Peninsula Drive.) Grass Valley Road dead-ends at Highway 173. Turn left and drive 0.2 miles to the signed Metate Trail Head on the left side of the road. A United States Forest Service adventure pass ($5 per day or $30 for the year) is required for parking. Click here to purchase.
- Agency: San Bernardino National Forest/Arrowhead Ranger Station
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 100 feet
- Difficulty Rating: G
- Suggested time: 45 minutes
- Best season: Year round
- USGS topo map: Lake Arrowhead
- Recommended gear: insect repellent
- More information: Trip descriptions here and here; Everytrail report here
- Rating: 6
Pronounced “meh-TAH-tay”, this trail – also known as the Rock Camp Trail and Indian Rock Trail and signed as 3W15 – is located in a remote area of the San Bernardino National Forest that’s popular with cyclists, but largely overlooked by hikers. Indeed, hikers in the Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear area may be pleasantly surprised by this short but scenic trail. Close to a mile above sea level in elevation, the Metate Trail explores a grassy woodland populated with manzanita, black oaks and pines.
There are several single-track trails that cross the area and hikers can also extend their trip on Forest Road 3W11 which is nearby. The 1.2-mile loop described here is a nice introduction to the area; a perfect escape into nature about an hour’s drive from the Riverside/San Bernardino area. If you’re up here for the day to check out other nearby trails, such as the Pinnacles or Bradford Ridge, the Metate is a worthwhile stop.
From the parking area, cross Highway 173 and follow the paved road to the Rock Camp Ranger Station. You reach a Y-junction that marks the beginning of the loop, which can be hiked in either direction. In this post we’ll be describing it clockwise. Bear left and follow the trail past a gate signed “Interpretive Area” and continue to an unsigned junction (0.3 miles) where you’ll stay left. At the next junction, also unsigned, about 0.1 miles later, turn right (the left fork leads to 3W11, an option if you want to extend the hike.)
You follow the trail through an attractive woodland, reaching a T-junction by a meadow 3/4 of a mile from the start. Turn left and keep an eye out for some morteros pounded into rock on the right side of the trail. Native Americans used these holes to grind and prepare their food.
After crossing a creek, the trail curves through the meadow. You cross the creek again on the far side and follow the trail back to the junction, completing the loop. Cross Highawy 173 again to return to the parking area.
Text and photography copyright 2014 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
