Agreed. Clarks grade starts south of the lake. Depending on how many rigs and any possible break times and or vehicle issues, it can be a couple of hours. Plus you can exit into town east or west, but still south of the lake. White mountain is very much NW of the lake and Jacoby is NE of the lake. I have led runs up clarks grade, over to Gold MTN, and then to Jacoby. It was a full day. I consider White mountain to be more difficult than Jacoby.
When we would be running the trails to the north of the lake, we generally meet at the discovery center. Another thought is to meet in Apple Valley/Hesperia and take trails up to Big Bear from the north to White mountain. I think it was grapevine canyon and/or 3n14. Just some thoughts.
Cheers, Steve