The North Shore National Recreation Trail can be accessed at the trailhead in the North Shore Campground which is near the hospital at Lake Arrowhead.
I park in a little spot (room for 2 or 3 cars) on the right just after turning left onto the campground road. This spot is in view of the hospital parking lot, there are no posted signs showing any parking restrictions and it is only a 1/4 mile walk to the trailhead.
Ways to approach the North Shore Ten
The Ultimate Expedition
NOT ABLE TO BE COMPLETED AS OF MAY, 2020 DUE TO FOREST CLOSURES-- This is the adventure I originally intended the North Shore series to be. Park as directed. Hike all the way down to the PCT grabbing all 10 caches. Turn around and come back up. To do this you will need about 5 hours. It's a great day of hiking. You'll feel it and you'll feel like you spent your day in another world. Bring food and water.
One Way Trip
NOT ABLE TO BE COMPLETED AS OF MAY, 2020 DUE TO FOREST CLOSURES-- This is a half Ultimate Expedition. Start at the trailhead but arrange to leave a car at the Splinter' Cabin parking area. You'll want to display a $5 Adventure Pass. To get there follow Hook Creek Road out of Cedar Glen all the way down to the gate where there is a fork in the road continue to the right to get to Splinter's - it does become a dirt road about half way down - and it's an interesting drive in itself. You could also arrange for someone to pick you up a couple hours after your start time. And, if you prefer hiking up rather than down, you can start from this area.
Break It Up
There are easier ways to get the North Shore Ten. After all, # 6 can be cache and dash. You could park near the campground. Hike down the trail to get the trailhead cache and #'s 1 & 2. Then drive down Hook Creek Road and park in a sizeable pull out near #6 - The Home. From there hike up to #6, 5, 4 & 3. After gettin #6 return to the road and walk a hundred or so yards to the right turn where the trail starts by crossing the creek after a brief descent. Then take this trail to 5, 4 & 3. Then return to your car and continue driving taking the rightmost road at the fork. Pull over to grab #7 then continue on to the Splinter's Cabin parking area for #8 & #9.
Upper 4 Heart Pumper
If you have limited time 1-2 hours but want to get an aerobic workout just do the upper 4 caches. Over a distance of 1 mile you will drop 500 feet and then gain it again when you turn around and climb back out.
The North Shore Trail descends into a valley that is home to Little Bear Creek. The forest was largely consumed by the Old Fire but is coming back in dramatic ways. Much greenery and wildflowers near the ground when I hiked it in May and July, 2005.
This cache is just a few steps down the trail beyond the trailhead sign. It is a hanging pill bison. Enjoy!