The first Bronco Nation-led Bronco Sport meet-up happened on Saturday, July 29, starting with a scenic drive from San Bernardino up to Big Bear, CA, followed by lunch and an afternoon trail drive. Read about how it went!
Bronco Sport Owners Connect
The registration for the event took place in a local park in Rialto, CA with an opportunity to grab some coffee, swag, and the first Bronco Sport sticker commemorating the Bronco Sport-only event. As the Sports started rolling into the park, owners gathered to admire and compare features and aftermarket add-ons that made their vehicle unique.
As the temperatures in the valley started climbing, the group was ready for the scenic drive into the mountains and high altitude of Big Bear. After giving a welcome on behalf of Bronco Nation and explaining the first part of the route, each attendee was issued a radio and a guide to help them get to the first stop, in the event anyone got separated as we left the city. It was a great way to communicate with the owners and start to learn about each other and answer questions about the day.
The Scenic Drive Begins
With the stoplights and traffic behind us, and as the air became cooler and the trees and mountains surrounded us, the group stopped at a scenic overlook just outside of Big Bear for some photos and introductions. I loved having the opportunity to meet the owners and better understand what led them to invest in a Bronco Sport.
Following the introductions, we held a brief instructional clinic on Bronco Sport recovery points, proper use of traction boards, use of a tire plug kit, and discussed other gear that is essential to have when going off-pavement.
After answering questions and snapping a few more photos, we loaded back up and finished the scenic drive to Big Bear, where we stopped at a local park for some lunch and social time.
Afternoon Trail Drive into the San Bernadino National Forest
Following lunch, we grabbed a few snacks and drinks and started the afternoon trail drive, which took place above Fawnskin, a small village located on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. We quickly passed great signs like “Pavement Ends,” “Rough Road,” and “Road Not Maintained.” As the road started changing into trail, we chatted about G.O.A.T modes, and participants asked questions about their Sports. We also discussed off-road driving tips and etiquette, along with Tread Lightly! information on respecting trails and public lands.
We passed through an OHV area with lots of traffic and eventually found a spot to pull off and enjoy some time as a group, taking photos and chatting about the trail. After taking a break and connecting with some volunteers who were driving the trails and handing out maps, we continued down the trail.
We drove on through some small rocky areas that required a bit of spotting before finally coming back out on a much quieter National Forest trail, leading through a wooded area to a spot called Wilbur’s Grave. We were now in Holcomb Valley, which became the richest gold discovery in California back in 1859. Wilbur was the first tax assessor in the area and asked to be buried next to his favorite pond, which still exists.
After visiting Wilbur and checking out the crazy items that have been left on his grave, we took yet another Forest Service road that led back down to the lakeshore and returned to the town of Big Bear.
We drove approximately 27 miles on our trail ride and finished the day off with a car wash to get all the trail dust and dirt off. After exchanging information and promising to keep in touch through Bronco Nation, most of the group departed for home. A few of us were staying overnight, so we met up for some appetizers and more tales from the trail, which proved to be the perfect ending to a great Bronco Sport meet-up day!
Interested In a Meet-Up?
If you’d like to join Bronco Nation on the next Bronco Sport meet-up and trail drive, watch our calendar of events for a drives coming up this fall in the Midwest and Northeast.
And if you can’t wait, add one to the events page now! From riding trails to doing a Cars & Coffee-style gathering, there’s no limit on the ways to get together with others in the Bronco Nation community!
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