The fourth edition of HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake was held from June 17 to 21 in Southern California, and it marked my third, and so far, favorite event. I was there for the inaugural event in California in 2022 and back again in 2023.
No matter how many times I return to Big Bear Lake, the HIGHLANDER experience always finds a way to exceed expectations. The raw beauty of nature, the energy of the people, the quiet moments, and the wild ones, each element combines to make this one an unforgettable experience.
In Big Bear Mountain, every step feels like a new scene from a movie, and each photo is a new episode that leaves you breathless. One moment you’re walking through stunning alpine wilderness, the next, you’re suddenly surrounded by desert landscapes. As you continue, you find yourself in a forest under oversized trees that transport you to another dimension, only to end up in rocky terrain that feels like a whole new planet. Add in the magic of early morning light or sunset skies, and nearly every step becomes a frame-worthy moment.
The event gathered over 300 participants from Canada, Costa Rica and 29 states in America. Participants could choose between five different formats: Ursa Major (148 km), Hercules (92 km), Pegasus (53 km), Orion (35 km), and Lyra (19 km). Regardless of the distance, everyone created their own HIGHLANDER adventure and built unique memories in one of the most beautiful regions of California.
The routes took participants through the forests and landscapes of the San Bernardino National Forest, including standout locations like Rim Nordic, Green Valley Lake, perched at an impressive 2,133 meters above sea level and often called the region’s best-kept secret – Crab Flats, Fawnskin, Hanna Flats, Holcomb Valley Ranch, and the Big Bear Discovery Center.
A true highlight was hiking a portion of the legendary Pacific Crest Trail, which spans an incredible 4,270 km, and the ascent to Butler Peak Fire Lookout, standing proudly at 2,602 meters. This is the highest lookout point in the region, offering panoramic views of San Gorgonio Peak, Big Bear Valley, Lake Arrowhead, Apple Valley, and the entire Inland Empire.
From the youngest participant, just 10 years old, who completed the entire Orion route, to the oldest at 72, who successfully finished the Pegasus format, everyone found their place in the HIGHLANDER community. Nights were spent in “million-star hotels,” far from light and noise pollution, surrounded by the sounds of nature and soothing silence, gathering new atoms of strength to continue the journey the next day.
At the checkpoints, participants were greeted each day by a diverse festival program that included sound baths, yoga, creative writing workshops, painting in nature inspired by the techniques of the legendary Bob Ross, live concerts, talks on mental health and nature conservation, and a motivational talk by renowned outdoor YouTuber Nic “Darwin” Rakestraw.
In addition, attendees were especially impressed by the interactive lecture from Matt Favero of Zpacks, who educated participants, through a game, on the importance of ultralight gear and smart backpack packing to make the hiking experience easier and less painful.
However, no one touched the hearts of those present quite like Jesse Cody from the nonprofit organization Hike The Good Hike, who shared his story about mental health and the positive impact that nature and hiking had on his life.
ABOUT HIGHLANDER
HIGHLANDER is a global series of hiking events that brings together nature lovers from around the world. This unique movement, which began in 2017 in Croatia, offers participants the opportunity to take on exciting hiking challenges lasting anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on the chosen route. The event is now held across four continents, with 17 events currently on the calendar.