{"id":2535,"date":"2013-09-21T23:42:37","date_gmt":"2013-09-21T23:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/titus-canyon-road-trip-copy\/"},"modified":"2021-09-01T00:01:50","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T00:01:50","slug":"back-road-to-big-bear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/back-road-to-big-bear\/","title":{"rendered":"Back Road to Big Bear"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n

Back Road from Apple Valley to Big Bear using 3N14:<\/h3>
\n

Are you looking for a classic back road adventure in Southern California?<\/strong>\u00a0 There are several in the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear Lake but one road trip in particular stands out because of its Joshua-to-Pine tree scenery.\u00a0 This dirt road will take you from the High Desert town of Apple Valley to the shores of Big Bear Lake at the town of Fawnskin.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \n
\n
\n \n \"Back <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n

<\/h3>\n
\n Click image<\/strong> to watch Virtual Video Tour and see viewer comments.\nThen come back to get the rest of the story. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n \n \"3n14YouTube\" <\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n
\n
\n

Trip Specs<\/h3> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n

Length<\/h3>\n
\n 23 miles (36.8 km) one-way <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n
\n
\n

Attractions<\/h3>\n
\n
    \n
  • High desert scenery<\/li>\n
  • Mountain meadows<\/li>\n
  • Pine tree forests<\/li>\n
  • Historic road<\/li>\n
  • Several widespread burned areas<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n
    \n \n
    \n
    \n

    Difficulty<\/h3>\n
    \n
      \n
    • High clearance vehicle, might need 4WD<\/li>\n
    • Continuous mountain driving – lots of twists and turns<\/li>\n
    • Fairly easy to navigate – stay on road 3N14<\/li>\n
    • Lots of side roads, easy to make a wrong turn<\/li>\n
    • Possible snow and mud in winter<\/li>\n<\/ul> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n\n
      \n \n
      \n
      \n

      Elevation Gain<\/h3>\n
      \n About 3,500 feet (1,067 m) – from Apple Valley to Fawnskin <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      \n \n
      \n
      \n

      The Road<\/h3>

      The road for this trip has several names: Coxey Truck Trail, Coxey Road, 3N14, BLM 3255 and, if you read your history books, Van Dusen Road.\u00a0 For this article, we\u2019ll use the National Forestry Service designation of 3N14. At times, 3N14 is a little difficult to follow, so taking a good map or GPS unit along will be handy or you can follow our directions below.<\/p>

      This back road, almost entirely dirt, shouldn\u2019t be traveled in an ordinary sedan.\u00a0 You\u2019ll need a truck or SUV with high ground clearance but you won\u2019t need 4WD.\u00a0 If you watch our accompanying virtual tour on YouTube, you\u2019ll see what the road looks like.<\/p>

      When you live in or near a large metropolitan area such as Los Angeles, finding a back road that takes you quickly away from civilization can be very rewarding.\u00a0 After leaving the growing population of the High Desert behind, it won\u2019t be long before you are on your own rolling past open desert terrain, granite boulder fields, green meadows and, finally, pine tree forests.\u00a0 And you will see very few people along the way.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

      \n
      \n