The Start of the hike is not at the same place as the Check-in/Packet Pickup. Transport from the parking lot to the start will be provided by the organization. You will board the shuttle at the Parking Lot at 41798 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.

PARKING

All participants will park at 41798 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 unless you get dropped off. There is absolutely NO camping or sleeping in your vehicle allowed at the parking lot.

Big Bear's Mountain Transit public transportation has a bus stop at the Hospital, which is adjacent to the Parking Lot. Mountain Transit's general operating hours are from 6 AM to 9 PM daily. Schedules can be found here. For more details about the shuttle to the start, including when to arrive, please check out our Transport section here.

Regardless if you are driving to the Parking Lot or being dropped off, ALL participants will board the shuttle to the start from the Parking Lot at 41798 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
For more information on travel and accommodation, please go here.

A few days before the start of the event you will receive an email that will include your BIB number and the QR code you will be asked for at the Mandatory packet pickup. It is required to pick up your packet the day BEFORE the hike starts. If you absolutely cannot pickup your packet the day before, please let us know in advance.

As your safety is our number one priority, we will check your Mandatory Equipment at Check In/Packet Pickup. We also reserve the right to check your equipment at the start.

If you have additional luggage that you will not hike with, please inform our staff about it during your check-in/packet pickup and they either tag it and collect it there or you can also bring it to the shuttle at the Parking Lot and staff will tag and it collect it there.

The organizer will provide camping food according to the diet preference each participant chose during the registration process. HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake offers meat and vegan options. A gluten-free option, however, is not available. All meals are distributed at the start and at the campgrounds each day.

Provided camping food is suited to the average daily needs of an average adult: cooked meals, backpacking food, ready-to-eat food, and easy-to-prepare food such as spreads, cheese, cold cuts, and bread.

Participants supply their own snacks and extra food (if desired). We recommend bringing snacks, dry fruit, and similar food in addition to the meals provided by the organizer. 

There are no stores or supermarkets along the hiking route in the San Bernardino Mountains.

You must bring your own water to the Start (minimum 4L / 1 gallon). It is important to stay hydrated, so you must ensure you always carry enough water with you.

Plenty of drinking water will be available for the day of the hiking ahead. We do not provide a means to carry it, so please pack your own bladders or bottles. The water refill will be available at all checkpoints during their working hours.

Mountain water is NOT safe for drinking without treatment. To consume mountain water, you must use a water purification method (tablets/drops/filters). Ursa Major participants MUST carry a water filter with them (see mandatory gear list for more details).

Your start time is the time the shuttle departs the parking lot at 41798 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. You will want to arrive early to use the restroom, drop off your luggage, gather your gear, and board the shuttle. The shuttle to the start will leave promptly at the times listed below.