Bluff Lake Reserve
Desert Way Jay, Sat Jun 30 2018, 07:10PM

Have you been to Bluff Lake near Big Bear and wondered about its unique history? [Click Here]

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Around The Lake, Mon Jul 02 2018, 09:47PM

A little sad as the YMCA was there for over 50 years and not even mentioned in the story except for a photograph from 1800s They built the camp and developed the lake. If it was not for their passion for the property it woul not be there today.

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Juliann, Sat Aug 18 2018, 02:23PM

We love going to Bluff Lake and the Lodgepole Pine.... particularly when we have young children visiting. You can go out on an adventure that is very interesting for all ages and the children can handle it due to the short hike involved. We've parked at the place that has you going to the Lodgepole Pine first, then the lake.... and recently we parked at the opposite end of the lake than we usually see, and walked around the whole lake. You can see the very old cabins.... the public wasn't allowed to do the whole lake walk until a couple of years ago. We like to go in late spring/early summer the most so the lake is fairly full and the meadow by the Lodgepole is green. Fun to see tadpoles and polywogs in June last year... And we go in the morning.... there by 9 or 10 AM. Fun!

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Mtngoat John⭐, Sat Aug 18 2018, 04:32PM

Juliann wrote ...

the meadow by the Lodgepole is green.


You're right it is green and gorgeous.




Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Hooky Bobber, Tue Apr 23 2019, 08:34AM

Mtngoat John⭐ wrote ...

Juliann wrote ...

the meadow by the Lodgepole is green.


You're right it is green and gorgeous.





I bet its all under water, the meadow will be big and green this spring

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
NShore.Allen, Tue Apr 23 2019, 12:59PM

I remember 2 winter YMCA-Indian Guides trips to Bluff Lake with my dad. I was probably in 3rd and 4th grade (1973).

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Socalman, Sat Nov 09 2019, 03:50PM

When did the YMCA give up the camp at Bluff Lake? This week my wife and I took a quick trip up the road but did not have time to explore prior to darkness.

I attended summer camps there from 1959 through 1963 and was telling my wife that if I could get to the old main entrance I could find my way around.

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Around The Lake, Wed Nov 13 2019, 06:16PM

The YMCA sold the camp in 2000

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Socalman, Sun Nov 24 2019, 07:23AM

This is a copy of a post I had on Movies Filmed in Big Bear.

The other night my wife was surfing through
tv channels and suddenly yelled "Hey, does that look like Bluff Lake?" Suddenly we were watching the 1960 movie "Freckles" and some of it appeared to be Bluff Lake, other parts looked like Cedar Lake. IMDB does not give anymore info other than to say San Bernardino National Forest. Is anyone here familiar enough with both to give an answer? Perhaps it was done at both locations? Certainly possible.

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Socalman, Sun Aug 09 2020, 11:48AM

ATL did tell us in a previous post on this thread that the YMCA sold the camp in 2000. Does anyone know when it was torn down?

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
Around The Lake, Wed Aug 12 2020, 07:24PM

The camp has not been torn down just a few of the buildings did not fit their vision. The camp is now to different properties. The camp Section is now a jewish camp. The meadow in the lake are preserved. So yes there are still children enjoying the camp property and the public is able to visit the lake in the meadow.

Re: Bluff Lake Reserve
BootsNBridles, Thu Aug 13 2020, 08:21PM

The road to the lake/camp is in pretty good condition. The road to the Lodge Pole Pine trail head is NOT. Don't go that way unless you have higher clearance and/or are familiar with having your car tilt sideways to traverse deep ruts in the road! :-)