We led a small group of Jeeps up Mottino Wash, one of our favorite “more difficult” trails in the Big Bear area. Although not technically “in” Big Bear, Mottino Wash ends very close to the Big Bear area and most people consider it a “Big Bear Trail”.
Mottino Wash, also known as Sidewinder Trail, is an offshoot of Rattlesnake Canyon which starts (or ends) in Lucerne Valley. To get to the Mottino Wash trailhead follow Rattlesnake Canyon several miles until you hit “the wide area” of the road, approximately here: Mottino Wash GPS Coordinates At that point, turn toward the rocks and in about 500 yards the fun begins. The trail is less than 2 miles long, but it is full of rocks, tight spots, and a couple of ‘extra credit’ sections that range from difficult to extreme. Overall Mottino is rated as Black Diamond/Very Difficult.
We had about 11 Jeeps in our group. A few JK’s and JKUs, TJs, and A Jeep Cherokee. We finished the trail in about 5 hours which is about average for a group this large. Our group finished with no breakage and only a few minor scratches.
Photos below, by The Notarubicon, Michael Todd, and Pucker Peggy:
Only Geoff and Rich made it up the extra-credit spot – both of them in 4-Door JK’s. Click HERE to watch a quick video of Rich making it over the hard spot in his 4-Door Rubicon.
I did this trail not too long ago with a local Jeep club in my 2014 JKUR on 35s. Its pretty difficult when its snowing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBbwB9_CjWI
Sorry guys, but this is not Mottino Wash. Mottino is the next canyon on the left (34.275330, -116.662879). What you went up was impressive, but a few years ago it wasn’t even a trail. Mottino Wash is a little more challenging than Rattlesnake Canyon, but not nearly as difficult as what you did. Pretty pictures, though.
Your location, 34.275330, -116.662879, is exactly where we were and where these photos were taken.. So yup, that is Mottino Wash.