Crestline & Neighboring Lake Gregory
Crestline, California, is the closest mountain resort town to the major cities of Southern California and is the number one day-drive mountain destination. Those who would like to stay for more than a day can find excellent accommodations at cabins that are offered throughout the town. At scenic Lake Gregory, visitors may enjoy beach sunbathing and waterslides, fishing, rowboat rentals, hiking trails, mountain biking, and nearby Skypark a/k/a Santa’s Village.
Crestline’s Climate
- Summer High: the July high is around 81 degrees
- Winter Low: the January low is around 29 degrees
- Rain: average 37 inches of rain a year
- Snow: averages 39 inches of snow a year
- No. of sunny days in Crestline: averages 287
Horseshoe Bend Mountain Club
Horseshoe Bend Mountain Club, Inc.
P. O. Box 2674, Crestline CA 92325
email: HBMountainClub@gmail.com
History
Horseshoe Bend Mountain Club, Inc. (“HBMC”) is a development comprised of 46 lots in the San Bernardino Mountains since 1909. It consists of 40 acres of land that straddle approximately 3/4 of a mile on the main E-W ridge of the mountain, the “Rim of the World” adjoining Arrow Highlands at State Highway 18 and approximately 1-1/4 East of Crestline at State Highway 138. Each lot owner is a shareholder of HBMC holding a 1/46 interest in HBMC.
HBMC’s s Mission Statement is to preserve the beauty and sanctity of HBMC today and for generations to come. Annual dues are $250.
The Horseshoe Bend area has been described as “there is no place like it in the mountains” and as “land that time has forgotten.” Because of this and to escape the scorching heat in San Bernardino, in the early 1900s, hardy men and women with vision and love for the mountains came to the Horseshoe Bend area and started building small summer cabin homes. Yearly leases were granted by the Forest Service for $15.00 per year, but for summer use only. Entire families came to Horseshoe Bend and stayed the entire summer. Typically, the father of the family would come up on weekends, while the rest of the family enjoyed the cool summers on the mountain.
Transportation up the mountain was by walking, horseback, carriage, or Model T’s. The main road was dirt and rocks in the beginning, then in 1892 the Arrowhead Reservoir Company’s Waterman Canyon Toll Road was completed, running along the ridge. The toll was $2.00 until 1905 when it became a free two-lane county road to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, and down to Millcreek Road to Redlands. It later became a State Highway known as “101 Mile Rim of the World Highway” in 1918. In 1963, HBMC set in motion the paperwork for a land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to acquire fee simple to all 40 acres of Horseshoe Bend land. It took 12 years, and in 1975 the members of HBMC became owners of their lots. The common land (27 acres) is now owned by HBMC which ensures that no development of any kind will take place in these areas that would destroy the inherent beauty and solitude of the Horseshoe Bend Community.
Current Officers/Board Members
- President: Dennis Sanderson – #22
- Executive Vice President: Steve Taylor – #31
- Vice President: Matthew Philippe – #28
- Secretary: Nadine Lord Divan – #21
- Treasurer: Mike Blackwood – #23
Two new directors were elected at the Annual Meeting held on July 2, 2022, to replace long-term directors who are retiring from the board. There are nine directors in all. The bylaws provide for up to nine directors.
Grandpa John was President and Director of the HBMC for 18 years.
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Horseshoe Bend Mountain Club’s Board of Directors is held at 10:00 AM on the first Saturday of July. Following the meeting at 1:00 PM is a BBQ, potluck lunch, and dessert for the cabin owners, families, and friends. Afterward, there is a Horseshoe Pitching Tournament for all ages: men, women, and children. This tournament has been going on for over 50 years and continues to this day.
The Loevenguth Family Cabin, No. 25 