Stargaze at the Summit
A SkyFest Big Bear experience led by Big Bear Hiking Adventures
Look Up. There’s More to See.
In collaboration with Care For Big Bear, join Shauna for a guided night hike during SkyFest, then continue your evening with telescope stargazing and night sky talks at Snow Summit.
The Mountain Feels Different After Dark
There’s something special about spending an evening in the mountains after dark. The forest gets quieter, the stars begin to appear, and you find yourself noticing things you might have missed during the day.
During SkyFest Big Bear, Care for Big Bear has brought together several ways to experience Big Bear after dark. Join Shauna for a guided night hike, look through professional telescopes with the Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society, and enjoy night sky talks presented by Amid the Stars.
Whether you’re curious about the stars or simply looking for a unique evening in the mountains, it’s a fun way to experience a different side of Big Bear.
A Night Full of Ways to Explore
The guided hike is just one part of the evening.
You’ll ride the Sky Chair to the top of Snow Summit, explore the mountain on a guided hike with Shauna, then have the opportunity to spend time looking through telescopes and learning more about the night sky from local astronomy enthusiasts.
It’s a relaxed evening where you can hike, learn something new, and enjoy one of Big Bear’s greatest natural treasures: its dark skies.
What the Evening Includes
Ride the Sky Chair
Your SkyFest evening begins with a scenic ride to the top of Snow Summit, where the nighttime activities begin.
Guided Night Hike
Join Shauna for a guided hike through the mountain after dark. Experience the quieter setting underneath the night sky.
Telescope Stargazing
Spend some time with the Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society as they share views of the night sky through their telescopes.
Night Sky Talks
Learn more about the stars above Big Bear during engaging presentations by Amid the Stars.
Experience Details
A Few Things to Know
- This is part of the larger SkyFest Big Bear event. Festival admission is required to participate.
- Guided hikes depart throughout the evening as guests arrive.
- The hike takes place after dark on natural mountain trails with uneven terrain.
- Comfortable hiking shoes and layers are recommended, as mountain temperatures can change quickly after sunset.
- A flashlight or headlamp is helpful, but please use it only when needed so everyone can enjoy Big Bear’s dark skies.
Come Prepared
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Layers for changing temperatures
- Water
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera (optional)
One of the reasons SkyFest exists is because Big Bear still has something many places have lost…
Register Through SkyFest
What is SkyFest Big Bear and Why It Matters
One of the things that makes Big Bear so special is something many people don’t think about until they experience it for themselves: the night sky. As more communities grow, it’s becoming harder to find places where you can still see thousands of stars overhead.
That’s one of the reasons Care for Big Bear created SkyFest: to help people experience the beauty of our dark skies and understand why they matter. Whether it’s your first time looking through a telescope or simply taking a moment to look up during the hike, I hope you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for what we have here.
— Shauna Pomerleau
President, Care for Big Bear
