Location: Big Bear, California – 41050 CA-38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Distance: 1 Mile Loop Time: 30 Minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Season: All (Roads can be impassable at times during the winter)
Foot Traffic: Moderate
Date Hiked: Friday, August 18, 2023
Overview
Jenks Lake is a fabulous lake, located a short distance for Angelus Oaks. The lake is about a 45 minute drive from Big Bear and makes a great stopping point for those coming or going to Big Bear Lake via highway 38. There is a great, scenic hiking trail starting from the Barton Flats Visitor Center that will deliver hikers to Jenks Lake and comes in at just under 3 miles round trip.
The other option for those wanting to hike Jenks Lake, is to park at the day use area and take the paved wheelchair accessible path down to the lake and the beautiful pier. From the pier, a paved path continues to the back of the lake. From the back of the lake, the paved section ends and a fairly easy to follow trail loops around the lake, back to the pier, totaling about 1 mile altogether. I wouldn’t necessarily consider the lake clear, but it is very pretty and the setting is rather tranquil. For those in the area, Jenks Lake is absolutely worth a stop.
Trail Description and Scout’s Story
Our most recent trip to Big Bear Lake was incredibly welcomed, albeit an impromptu one. Exactly one year ago, our daughter, Scout, was diagnosed with stage four cancer (germ cell neoplasm). As the one year anniversary of this life changing day slowly approached, my wife and I decided that we wanted to spend this day outside in nature and being as present as possible with Scout. After not being able to settle on a destination, one of my best friends informed me that his mom had a cabin in Big Bear that we could spend a few days at. We were ecstatic and couldn’t wait to get up to the mountains to enjoy what used to be such a typical thing for us before Scout got sick.
After almost nine months of treatment and multiple cycles of chemotherapy, Scout was finally approved for tumor resection surgery on April 24, 2023. After more than 8 hours of surgery to remove the right half of her liver and the tumor in her rectum, Scout’s cancer would be placed in remission a few weeks later on May 8th, one day after her second birthday. A month later Scout’s central line would be removed and our family is currently transitioning back into normal life as Scout’s Oncology team monitors her progress with visits every 2 months.
Scout’s Day at Jenks Lake
After a few adventure packed days in Big Bear, it was finally time to make our way back home. This also happened to be the exact day that Scout was given her actual diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. We woke up early, spent the morning tidying the cabin up and then said good bye and decided to have the best day possible on our drive back home.
Our first stop would be Jenks Lake. Although there is another, longer hike, that starts from the upper parking area, we elected to do the shorter loop hike around Jenks Lake, starting from the day use parking lot. We followed the wheelchair accessible ramp down to the hiking trail and around the lake.
Continuing past the Jenks Lake Pier and around Jenks lake
After making our way down the ramp, from the parking area, we were quickly greeted by the scenic pier at Jenks Lake.
This is a rather large dock, offering some of the best views of Jenks Lake. It also serves as the focale point of Jenks Lake. From the dock, we continued left on the accessible, paved walkway and around the lake, passing by a few campgrounds and day use areas. The setting here is gorgeous, with massive pines towering high above as you continue along the trail. Every now and again, Scout would ask to stop, to put her feet in the water. The lake is very pretty, albeit incredibly silty, therefore every time Scout would dip her feet in, she would look up at us, trying to figure out why she could no longer see her feet.
We continued along the paved trail until we reached the other side of the lake and the paved section no longer existed. Again, we encountered a little cove and Scout splashed around for a bit.
As we continued along the trail, we were now looking at the Jenks Lake Dock, directly in front of us and on the other side of the lake. We came to a junction that turned left, but we continued straight to finish the loop around the lake. The trail to the left is the Jenks Lake Trail that begins from Barton Flats.
At this point, the trail had become incredibly overgrown and at points numerous downed trees were blocking further progress. I picked Scout up and carried her over the hard to pass sections. We made our way to the far end of the lake and then in no time, had arrived back at the Jenks Lake Dock.
Finishing the Jenks Lake Loop
Instead of heading back to the car, we continued back along the trail we had just been on and watched as Scout once again played and dipped her feet in the water. It was such a beautiful day and it had been such an incredible trip. The last thing I wanted was for the trip to end. I sat back and contemplated how grateful we were for this trip and remembered how our lives had forever changed just a year prior.
August 18, 2023
How to Get to Jenks Lake
41050 CA-38, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Hours:
- The day use area is open from 7 AM-6 PM daily.
Is this a fee area?
- Yes. There is a $5 per vehicle fee for everyone who parks in the day use area.
Can you camp at Jenks Lake?
- No, camping at Jenks Lake is not allowed. However, the Barton Flats campground is just down the street and is a great place to camp.
Are dogs allowed at Jenks Lake?
- Yes, dogs are welcome at Jenks Lake but must be leashed and kept in control at all times. Please pick up and properly dispose of all animal waste.
Are there restrooms at Jenks Lake?
- Yes, vault toilets are located in the parking area.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers, fisherman, and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
