Big Bear Camp Out and Exploration Trip July 2-5 1998

On the July 4th holiday weekend we rented one of the group campsites in the mountains near Big Bear, Ca..  Our group consisted of a wide range of people and interests. We had 4-wheelers, campers, day hikers, swimmers, and lots of kids.  We experienced great food, great company and a GRAND TIME!

Click on the pictures to view larger image.

Day 1 - Gold Mountain

Some of us arrived in camp Thursday evening while others filtered in Friday Morning.  Those who spent the first night woke up early to a beautiful day in the mountains.  The day was clear and warm. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and awaited the arrival of the rest of the group.  Once the group was ready we piled into our 4x4's and set off for "GOLD MOUNTAIN".  We took a moderately easy trail (2n02) out of camp to reach highway 38.  We cruised along enjoying the views of the valley spread out below us.  We reached the highway and headed the 6 or so miles to Big Bear City for fuel and ice. "Gassed" and "Iced" up, we headed across Paradise road to reach the highway on the Fawnskin side of the lake.  We turned right and headed toward Baldwin Dry Lake and the second most scenic dump in America (Moab's is definitely more scenic but as far as dump locales go this one is pretty good!).  We reached the (sometimes difficult to spot) trail head for the Gold Mountain trail.  We drove up to a flat section and lowered the air pressure in out tires.  We had our 4x4's filled to capacity with friends who had never gone 4-wheeling before.  The kids were very excited about the prospect of our adventure.

We put our 4x4's in low range and began to work our way up the dirt road.  Soon the road gave way to 4x4 trail and we began bumping and grinding our way slowly over the obstacles.  We came to the first downhill, a slight off-camber sweeping right turn, and you could feel the newcomers sigh a little as we dropped down and pitched left.  Next, we came to the first "loose" up hill and our guests were amazed that vehicles could traverse it (we didn't tell them that the real stuff hadn't even started yet).  We stopped several times to enjoy views of snow-capped mountains to our left and the wide open expanses of desert to our right.  At the top of the mountain one of the vehicles (a Cherokee) blew a coolant tank.  Seems the pressure relief valve was not working properly and the plastic tank cracked due to excessive pressure.  We decided to have lunch under some trees at the top.  After a relaxed lunch break (aka: a play break for the kids) we continued down the trail to its connection point with 3n16.  At this point the broken Cherokee and the Datsun pickup headed to town to try and get parts to repair the broken XJ.  The rest of the group continued the trip.

We traveled on 3n16 past Holcomb Valley campground to 3n12 where we turned left towards Fawnskin.  We proceeded until we reached the intersection with the 3n93.  We turned right and began the more difficult trail.  We encountered a CJ7 resting on the driver's side at the first stream crossing.  We checked to make sure everything was in hand and then bypassed them (they had other vehicles and winches and didn't need help).  We heard one of them say "we should just follow that Samurai".  Little did they know - that would have been a bad thing.  It is well set up and driven by a very capable driver.  It's fun to watch the "brand loyalty blinded" 4-wheelers stare in awe as the little "sami" makes things look easy.  We climbed the first deeply rutted dirt hill without incident and continued along the trail to the "little sluice". A CJ5 was leading the way and slipped off a rock and became stuck.  A large rock was positioned between his rear differential and t-case x-member. It was Hi-lift jack time!  With the help of some carefully placed rocks the CJ5 was extricated.  It continued on to the last ledge in this section.  The winter storms had really dished it out. We had to try several lines before it clawed up over it.  The YJ was next and got to the final ledge without problem.  The YJ eased over the first part of the ledge and seemed to be home free.  Suddenly it lurched left and the front wheels fell off a large rock into a hole.  So much for an easy run.  Now the fun began with all four wheels in deep holes at the same time.  Several rocks were placed to try and ramp it up out of the holes.  It almost made it but lost traction at the last moment and slid to the right.  A large vehicle eating rock attempted to take a bite out of the right rocker panel.  It was foiled by the protective 12 ga. steel diamond plate rocker guards. After several more tries the YJ crawled out of the jeep trap.  The little sami came next.  With its 86:1 first gear it crawled straight up the middle of the obstacles and out of the stream bed. It never spun a tire. It was fun to watch.  Too bad the "upside down jeepers" at the beginning of the trail didn't get to watch it.  We worked our way out over the off-camber sections.

We stopped at a section we call Moab Rock and played a bit.  This rock is very similar to the ledges and climbs found on Moab Utah trails.  We then decided to head back to camp early and saved the run to Dishpan Springs for another day.

Back at camp we exchanged tales of the day's activities with each other and relaxed a bit.  A little bit later, we started the charcoal and began preparing dinner and the "Pot Luck".  The wonderful aroma of BBQ dinners for 35 filled the camp.  The Pot-Luck side dishes were placed on a table and soon the feast began. After dinner, the kids continued their play and exploration.  Later in the evening, the blender was unsheathed and the sound of "margaritas in the making" echoed through the valley.  After just enjoying the campfire and evening for a while, we all retired for the night.

Day 2 - Holcomb Valley

Saturday dawned clear and warm. We all enjoyed another good breakfast then set off for the day's activities. The four wheeling group set off to explore the Holcomb Valley self-guided tour as well as some hidden mines and structures. The other group went swimming and exploring. We explored several gold mines ranging from "mountains split open" to small pits in the soft crumbling earth. Two of the mines are into hard rock and are safe to explore. However, don't explore any structure unless you know what you are doing. It could kill you!

On our way to some of the remote mines we stopped at Wilbur's Grave" and our first time visitors paid their respects by placing pine cones on it.  It is sad that many of the structures are being stripped of their metal components.  After the mines we visited the site of two guns Bill's Saloon.  This one makes me angry.  It is very close to Holcomb Valley campground and is car accessible.  This is not 4x4 damage - it is damage caused by campers and day visitors!!!!!!

Circa 1980	July 1998

As you can see, it has seen major damage
 from major "Butt-Heads" !!!

Our final tour stop was the "Hanging Tree" (see Alexandra's story for more detail).  From there we headed back to camp.  We sat under the shade of some pine trees and enjoyed a cool, gentle breeze.  Some of our group began to break camp and head for home.  Two of us decided to explore the lower side of 2N01 and 2N02.  We found more mines, relics and even some old vehicles.  We also found some "fair" rock crawling trails.  There are several sections with off-camber spots just waiting to toss a carelessly driven vehicle to the bottom.  We explored the area for several hours and decided that it was time to head back to camp.  It was fireworks night and we all wanted to make it to town in time to see them.  Those so inclined, piled into vehicles for the drive to Big Bear City and watched the display.  Others simply sat by the campfire and enjoyed the evening.

Day 3 - That's all folks...

Sunday the sun rose early (or at least seemed to).  Most of us on the other hand didn't rise quite as early as the morning sun but we all managed to crawl out of our tents before 8:00.  Sunday is our "Big Breakfast" day.  We prepare many food items and enjoy a great breakfast.  After breakfast we began breaking camp.  Our plan was to be out of camp by 11:30 and we made it almost exactly to the minute.  The drive home was not too bad.  We all said our goodbyes (via CB radio) as we parted company at the various freeway intersections.

We can't wait for next year!  If you have never been to Big Bear (the back country) you are really missing out.  It is very pretty and worth a look.

See you on the Trail...

DirtFirst

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