Easy Off Road Trails Near Big Bear California: Smarts Ranch Road 4x4 Trail

Smarts Ranch Road Trail is a very easy trail/road that runs from Highway 18 near Baldwin Lake, east of Big Bear Lake, approximately 7 miles to where it ends at Burns Canyon Road (2N02). Smarts Ranch Rd is mostly flat and easy but in the last 2 miles of the trail there are a few mildly rocky, rutted, steep spots. Any 4x4 vehicle including full sized trucks and AWD vehicles can navigate this trail. Because the road is mostly easy with only a few mildly rough sections Smarts Ranch Road is a great place for new and beginner off-roaders.
You can download the .GPX file at our website here:
www.notarubicon.com/smarts-ra...

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Get the FREE .GPX file download for your .GPS or Map App at our website, here: www.notarubicon.com/smarts-ranch-road-4x4-trail-3n03-big-bear/

[@larryp3641]

My dad took a 86 Camry through there when I was a kid.

[@prophotos365]

I like your doing the beginners trails for the new off roaders instead of the boulder bouncing we see so much of. What camera are you using?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We try to keep these trail reviews simple, so the only cameras we used were the NuviLM Dashcam, iPhone 11Pro Max for the exterior Jeep shots, and a GoPro Session for one shot at the beginning by the road.

[@MyFamilysKeeper]

You guys are the best for making beginner trail videos and providing the gpx files for us beginners! Thanks!

[@gabrielnoyola9]

I ran into you guys on burns canyon. The Gator gladiator. My wife was so excited to see you on the trail. Keep up the great work. Love your videos. 🖐

[@modemaniam]

I wanted to thank you for this and your other videos. I took this trail last weekend while in Big Bear. I did it with a stock 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71. You kept saying it was not that difficult and that gave me the courage and confidence to just do it. The last part was fun but I kept saying "he said anyone with a stock 4X4 can do it so I just pressed a head. I did make a wrong turn and went through the staging area and ended up on 3N07 for everyone out there please DO NOT take that with a stock 4X4. I got to the abandoned car and backed down. Had a blast and will do the Dale mine in July when camping in Joshua Tree.

[@gcoronado4622]

Thank you for this, as a beginner, it is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!

[@jdmartinezrmz111]

The last 2 Miles does get pretty technical for a beginner

[@albertyulee8763]

I appreciate all the time you put into these videos. Our family appreciates it. Getting out and adventuring!

[@itsjong]

Another great video! It was awesome to meet you in person last Saturday!

[@DayTripAdventure]

Lol! "You've watched it this far it couldn't have been that bad" true the videos are great! Thanks again

[@ojhadevil]

Thanks one more time another great video... waiting for my lift kits ..can’t wait to see these trails🤘

[@WFORacer]

Thank you for these videos , great intro for new wheelers. We led a small group to Saddleback Peak in Orange County today, had a Tacoma join us after he told us he had no GPS and never been there before and just bought his truck 🙄 asked him politely what was his plan if he had gotten lost or stuck. Crazy who you meet on the trails.

[@FLCLnaota]

Thanks again for another awesome trail to run!

[@robfrasier9412]

Excellent video. I’ve only had my new Jeep out once. Heading up to Big Bear from Pioneer Town next weekend. I’ll finish the drive on Smarts Ranch Road. Hopefully we will have cooler temperatures. Thanks!

[@pablomoca]

Great video. I might try this this weekend! Thanks!

[@whatupsway]

Going here this Friday

[@fonzrenteria2321]

Awesome...like it very much...my brother and I done 5n18 to 6n07 made a Left on 6n07 .made Our way to the main rd..it was Easy to moderate on stock vehicles... This trail is in the Area of Santa Clarita...

[@mannywilde]

This trail was so much fun. I went this weekend with my Jeep Trailhawk. Those last two miles were tricky!!! But it felt nice to finally use the 4x4 system. If you're a beginner (like me) I suggest you take someone to spot you just in case

[@christinaoliphant6714]

if you're still hosting events, i'd sure like to join your group.

[@samc3227]

9:00 I LOVE THIS PART ! ! !

[@evilcryalotmore]

I ran into you on burns canyon in the silver pickup !!

[@leskobrandon538]

I know the Family who Owns Smarts Ranch.. for which the road is named after... Spent many a weekend at the Smarts Ranch

[@7cavvet1]

Hal, I lived at Smarts Ranch for 12 years 1981 to 1993. The owners I knew then have passed on. Many great memories for me there.

[@albertfrias]

Just did this trail yesterday by myself in a pretty much stock willys JLU while it was snowing and getting dark. Great beginner trail to hone your skill and test your rig. Kept it in 2wd most of the way except when climbing the rough stuff. 2wd vehicles might have a rough time after rain or snow as it gets very muddy and icy in certain areas. Alway carry chains and a tow strap or recover rope just in case you or someone else needs help. Stay safe and have fun. Thanks for posting this video

[@senor9786]

Did you keep going or turned back around?

[@ismaelgonzalez5478]

Nice ! thank you !

[@EZIEGLER99]

Love your videos. I've been on Cleghorn plenty of times... Besides that trail, what other trails have you reviewed, would you recommend for 2WD trucks with LSD? Thanks

[@MRCALIEMS]

There’s a few off the 15n a lil pass cleghorn . I think it’s next exit from cleghorn

[@turk_ctsv7181]

Great videos! Do you still host events?

[@loveandbaconbrian1901]

Great video! You mention your beginner group - is that open to new members? I’m not quite ready but I do live in SoCal also and I’d gladly pay to have a guide / group as I get going... Thanks again!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Our public runs are open to anyone with a 4WD vehicle, as long as the vehicle meets the requirements for any particular trail-run. And all of our events are FREE - we have no dues, no fees, no meetings - if you want to join us on a public run, just show up! You can sign-up to get an email notification for our runs here: www.notarubicon.com/eventreg/

[@Itsnotagti]

So once the trail ends where do you end up at? Do you have to keep going through another trail to get back or do you turn around?

[@jeremiahgoley5925]

Hey man! Love the channel! These trail overviews are crazy helpful for a beginner like me. I heard you say you sometimes take guys out and do guided trails. How do I get info on that?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thanks for watching! Just go to NotARubicon.com and click the Calendar Menu Link to view upcoming public events and sign-up for email notifications of new events.. We hope to be doing our next public run soon, as soon as this plague is over.

[@jeremiahgoley5925]

NotaRubicon Productions Thanks! I'll check out the websites for sure.

[@baileyward1172]

Thanks for the videos! What do you use to air back up?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

PowerTank!

[@salvadormartinez3922]

I missed it... loop or one way in and out?

[@hmfic4297]

Have you done santa ana river trail off the hwy 38 Angelus oaks ? If you have can sent me your video? Great stuff man you make me laugh

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We've only been through there once..we made a video, but it's not a trail-review like this one, its just some pretty clips of what is there.. you can see that video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y57ahI13jceisJo

[@hmfic4297]

@@TheNotaRubicon No sir it not the one!. This is beind the oaks restaurant were it starts sorry my friend who is a local in Forest Falls call it Santa Ana River Trails because it runs into it also but the correct Trail number is 1N12 I usually do it in the winter time in the snow very fun but it's a fun drive hope you get to experience it sorry about the miss information but thank you for getting back to me and if you have. it'll be great to see your video. (P.s been at the start of S.A. trail you show me too)

[@austinhanson2295]

Could I take a stock 2 wheel drive 4.0 v6 ford elxplore their it’s has prob like a foot an a half clearance

[@EthanSi02]

May seem like a dumb question, but is it possible to take a Mitsubishi evo up there with rally supsenion and rally tires.

[@EthanSi02]

Ah nevermind I just watched the whole video, no way I can take it up there unless I moved some of those rocks haha

[@theanghellicone]

Is this ok for a stock 2005 Toyota Tacoma

[@rubengutierrez3462]

What psi would you recommend airing down to for trails like this?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

you dont really need to air down for a trail like this, other than to just smooth out the ride..maybe.. so 15psi or so would be fine.

[@rideordiefl82]

Do you take off your stabilizer bar off when u do this trail?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Not really necessary for such an easy trail.

[@mojorisenx8486]

Looks like a good beginner trail to take a someone through to get their tires dirty. What is the drive time?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Took us about an hour start to finish.

[@olivasrick90]

Thanks for the video.. Google says temporary closed how do i verify if its closed or not really looking to take the wife and kids on an easy trail

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Google said it was closed on the day we were there. The lesson here is, never trust Google!

[@nicholasfonseca7267]

Will a RWD all stock wrangler have any issues clearing this trail

[@TheNotaRubicon]

A stock wrangler should have no issues, but it really depends more on the skills of the driver.

[@tuauto00]

Did you see any wildlife on this trail

[@leskobrandon538]

You can also go up to Tip Top from 3n03

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We dont recommend Tip Top for beginners! We suggest they get several trails under their belt before going up that hill.

[@leskobrandon538]

@@TheNotaRubicon yeahy I know, I took my 2500Dodge Cummins up there back in 2000... Haven't been back since...

[@seanware719]

What size tires and lift do you run on your Jeep?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

37" tires and 3.5" lift

[@seanware719]

@@TheNotaRubicon thank you Sir. See you Saturday. I am also hooked up to your repeater and live in Fontana. WRNP600. Have a great night! Love your Channel.

[@senor9786]

Did you turn back down? Or kept going?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We always go all the way through to either Big Bear or Pioneer Town.

[@ryankellerrealtor]

What is best psi

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The best PSI depends on your tires, your vehicle, and your driving skills.

[@misse9705]

Stay out of Yucaipa. Those ranchers have guns. You don't have to see them. But if they see you, you will know it. Go somewhere else.