{"id":4655,"date":"2016-07-29T00:55:16","date_gmt":"2016-07-29T00:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?p=4655"},"modified":"2022-09-21T19:37:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T19:37:46","slug":"holcomb-valley-near-big-bear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/","title":{"rendered":"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-4655\" data-postid=\"4655\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-4655 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ie8w276 tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_8hmv277 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_jjxe278    wow\" data-tf-animation=\"zoomIn\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>On the eve of the American Civil War, the largest gold rush in Southern California was taking place in Holcomb Valley of the San Bernardino Mountains.<\/strong>\u00a0 Holcomb Valley is a mountain-top valley just north of Bear Valley where the popular resort of Big Bear Lake is located today.\u00a0 A trip into Holcomb Valley offers a great half or full day of exploring a forested area where you can still find slight traces of where over a thousand gold miners once dug for the elusive yellow rock.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_vhse278 last\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_pq2k279 image-top rounded drop-shadow  tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInRightBig\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"203\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4656\" title=\"Holcomb\" alt=\"Holcomb\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb-192x173.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_3b11276 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_y5m4279 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_2qly279 image-top   tf_mw wow\" data-tf-animation=\"rubberBand\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown-200x75.png\" width=\"200\" height=\"75\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2366\" title=\"ScrollDown\" alt=\"ScrollDown\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown-200x75.png 200w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown.png 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_q5li280   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_5xh4276 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_libj280 first\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_g3wu280 button-right yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Length<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            12.5 miles (20 km) one-way        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_ooyl281 button-right yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Attractions<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>Mountain scenery<\/li>\n<li>Historic gold mining areas<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_ofqa281 last\">\n                    <!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_ytsj281 button-right yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Difficulty<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            <ul>\n<li>High clearance vehicle &#8211; no 4WD needed<\/li>\n<li>Continuous mountain driving &#8211; lots of twists and turns<\/li>\n<li>Fairly easy to navigate &#8211; there are some signs<\/li>\n<li>Lookout for snow and mud in winter<\/li>\n<\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_qr12281 button-right yellow  rounded shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"fadeInUp\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Elevation Gain<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            About 800 feet gain from Discover Center        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_r0n8276 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_36yo282 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_zm6p282   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>The History<\/h3><p>But before you go, let us tell you a little history about the gold rush to Holcomb Valley which started in 1860, peaked in 1861, then continued to interest miners and investors off and on until the 1950\u2019s.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also explain a driving tour that will take you to some of the actual spots where different events took place during this gold rush.\u00a0 Although there aren\u2019t any ghost towns to see, there are placer holes dug by the miners, some remains of ore mills and their tailings, an actual mining tunnel (adit) or two, old pieces of metal, and a few reconstructed cabins.<\/p><p>As with many other mining boomtowns of the 1800\u2019s, there were lots of fanciful stories and legends told about them and sometimes those stories make it into today\u2019s history books as \u201cfact\u201d.\u00a0 Oftentimes \u201chistory\u201d is written based on the best knowledge available at the time (someone\u2019s memory or best guess) only to be proven incorrect later on.\u00a0 With that in mind, we have written this article based on the \u201chistory\u201d available to us.<\/p><h3>Discovery<\/h3><p>Bill Holcomb came out west from Indiana in 1850 to seek his fortune in northern California\u2019s Mother Lode but he was not successful there.\u00a0 He began heading south, trying his luck in the Kern River and then at Newhall.\u00a0 He heard about prospectors who\u2019d had a little luck in Bear Valley of the San Bernardino Mountains and so off he went.\u00a0 He was an excellent marksman and was hired by other prospectors in Bear Valley to hunt bear for meat.\u00a0 At that time, the San Bernardino\u2019s were literally infested with giant California Grizzly Bear that maimed and killed prospectors on a regular basis.\u00a0 One day, while tracking a bear into the next valley to the north, Holcomb came across a ledge of quartz rock riddled with gold.\u00a0 Soon, the rush was on and the place was named Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Much of the gold mining in the early 1860\u2019s focused in the center of Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 Of the three towns that emerged, the largest was Belleville which was named after the daughter of Jed Van Dusen.\u00a0 Van Dusen is also the name of the main road from the top of the old Brown Toll Road in the Cajon Pass to Holcomb and Bear Valleys and the name of a canyon in the area.<\/p><p>In 1860, there was a county-wide vote to determine where to place the county seat for the fast-growing area of San Bernardino and the town of San Bernardino won out over Belleville <em>by just a couple of votes<\/em>.\u00a0 Rumor has it that one ballot box from Belleville was mysteriously lost which would have certainly contained the votes needed to win the election.<\/p><h3>A Rough &amp; Tough Place<\/h3><p>During the boom years of 1860 and 1861, Holcomb Valley was as wild and rough as any other western mining town.\u00a0 An estimated 50 murders took place in those two years.\u00a0 In August 1861, a bunch of bandits from Utah known as the Button\u2019s Gang dominated Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 If they wanted to stay overnight somewhere, they would simply kick out the occupants or owners of a cabin and move in.\u00a0 They would also help themselves to any supplies they wanted.\u00a0 But, like many outlaws of the day, their lives came to a violent end.\u00a0 The Hangman\u2019s Tree, a stop along the tour through Holcomb Valley, is where many outlaws met their maker.<\/p><p>Along with the bandits, most of the occupants of Holcomb Valley took sides in the developing Civil War.\u00a0 Tensions were high in the valley between Unionists and Secessionists.\u00a0 Miners that followed one gold rush to another had strong Southern sympathies.\u00a0 The <em>Knights of the Golden Circle<\/em>, a nationwide secret society that promoted separation from the U.S., held regular meetings north of Holcomb Valley (near Cushenburry Springs) to promote their cause.\u00a0 Miners that sided with the North congregated in northeastern Holcomb Valley which is still labeled <em>Union Flat<\/em> on maps today.<\/p><p>The big boom of Holcomb Valley ended after a strong blizzard struck the San Bernardino\u2019s in January 1862.\u00a0 Mining continued in a more subdued fashion until about 1940 and there were a few \u201cmini-rushes\u201d during that time.<\/p><h3>&#8220;Lucky&#8221; Baldwin and Gold Mountain<\/h3><p>One was in 1874 when a gold discovery was made on Gold Mountain, near present-day Baldwin Lake.\u00a0 A famous mine developer, Elias Jackson \u201cLucky\u201d Baldwin, invested in the site and the mini-rush was on.\u00a0 He spent a lot of money building a 40-stamp mill (which was huge in those days) in anticipation of all the gold that was to be mined.\u00a0 But just like with so many other rushes, the ore didn\u2019t pay out as expected and Baldwin shut down his mill in less than a year.\u00a0 It mysteriously burned down two years later.<\/p><p>In 1900, Baldwin, along with a new investor, built a new 40-stamp mill just above the old one and excitement arose once more.\u00a0 The new operation kept going strong for three years, then after Baldwin\u2019s death in 1909, the mine sputtered on with various owners until the dawn of World War II.<\/p><h3>An Attempt at Dredging<\/h3><p>In 1880, a British miner came to Holcomb Valley and began a dredging operation, which was becoming a popular mining method in California\u2019s Gold Country.\u00a0 Somehow, the Brit estimated that there was $240 million in gold locked up in the soils of Holcomb Valley!\u00a0 Although it is unclear just how much gold was actually mined since 1860, it is unlikely that it ever reached more than a million.\u00a0 The Brit invested in a lot of equipment, had a labor force of 100 miners and brought up a steam shovel dredge to begin digging trenches.\u00a0 Operations started in 1891 and by 1895, an impressive trench measuring 3,000 foot (0.56 mile) long, 16 feet wide and 8 feet deep was dug.\u00a0 It is still visible in western Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 Not much gold was recovered and many investors in England lost a lot of money in the operation.<\/p><p>More&#8230;<\/p><div class=\"g g-3\"><div class=\"g-single a-8\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest Travel Guides\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\/death-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/AdDeathValley3.gif\" width=\"665\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_f6y5283   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><div  class=\"module themify_builder_slider_wrap tf_clearfix module-slider tb_bovs283  slider-caption-overlay  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"themify_builder_slider tf_carousel tf_swiper-container tf_rel tf_overflow\" data-lazy=\"1\"        data-visible=\"1\"\n        data-tab-visible=\"\"\n        data-mob-visible=\"\"\n        data-scroll=\"1\"\n                            data-auto=\"4000\"\n            data-controller=\"0\"\n            data-pause_hover=\"1\"\n                data-speed=\"normal\"\n        data-wrapvar=\"1\"\n        data-slider_nav=\"1\"\n        data-pager=\"1\"\n        data-effect=\"scroll\" \n        data-height=\"variable\"\n        data-css_url=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/carousel,http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/pinboard\/themify\/themify-builder\/css\/modules\/sliders\/slider\"\n                    >\n        <div class=\"tf_swiper-wrapper tf_lazy tf_rel tf_w tf_h tf_textc\">\n                         <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4389e9 25%,#408df5 25% 50%,#469afd 50% 75%,#52abff 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f5a57 25%,#686458 25% 50%,#9e9f99 50% 75%,#686580 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6b503d 25%,#8e8f53 25% 50%,#312b15 50% 75%,#cdcdc3 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#303018 25%,#120a08 25% 50%,#4c4441 50% 75%,#4c5419 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4659\" title=\"HolcombSldr1\" alt=\"View of Holcomb Valley\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4659\" title=\"HolcombSldr1\" alt=\"View of Holcomb Valley\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>View of Holcomb Valley<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#5e6a56 25%,#161a0c 25% 50%,#252712 50% 75%,#84996e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3a201f 25%,#c5b6af 25% 50%,#7c716d 50% 75%,#23090a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7a5c51 25%,#967564 25% 50%,#4b4954 50% 75%,#777580 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9c8887 25%,#775e5a 25% 50%,#7f5d53 50% 75%,#9c8692 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4660\" title=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" alt=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4660\" title=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" alt=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4b565a 25%,#6786a5 25% 50%,#4f87da 50% 75%,#607ec6 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#1a2322 25%,#46523c 25% 50%,#8f9e89 50% 75%,#473e39 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9babb8 25%,#7a8e99 25% 50%,#a0a4b0 50% 75%,#4d515d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9c97 25%,#dec2bf 25% 50%,#c1a099 50% 75%,#d1b3a9 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4661\" title=\"HolcombSldr3\" alt=\"HolcombSldr3\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4661\" title=\"HolcombSldr3\" alt=\"HolcombSldr3\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Remains of Two Gun Bill&#8217;s Saloon<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#2d81e4 25%,#3088e9 25% 50%,#2e86e7 50% 75%,#2b81e4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#293020 25%,#465a63 25% 50%,#2f4461 50% 75%,#435352 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6b6c67 25%,#4b464a 25% 50%,#a0acaa 50% 75%,#e8dfd8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#403b41 25%,#ccb2a5 25% 50%,#dcc0b2 50% 75%,#dccabe 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4662\" title=\"HolcombSldr4\" alt=\"HolcombSldr4\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4662\" title=\"HolcombSldr4\" alt=\"HolcombSldr4\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Driving through Holcomb Valley<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#1d7ded 25%,#1478ea 25% 50%,#156ee2 50% 75%,#647541 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#597c82 25%,#3991e8 25% 50%,#2b89e3 50% 75%,#408fda 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#718087 25%,#6d5e65 25% 50%,#718079 50% 75%,#60646f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#68595e 25%,#4c5658 25% 50%,#ae8e7f 50% 75%,#ba9d8f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4663\" title=\"HolcombSldr5\" alt=\"HolcombSldr5\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4663\" title=\"HolcombSldr5\" alt=\"HolcombSldr5\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>The site of Belleville, with it&#8217;s single restored cabin <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#223225 25%,#4d98f3 25% 50%,#3a84dd 50% 75%,#3a70b6 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#0f1312 25%,#987c7b 25% 50%,#9b5d38 50% 75%,#9d7c73 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c68b7d 25%,#765047 25% 50%,#632c17 50% 75%,#c7ab95 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d4bcb0 25%,#e1cbc0 25% 50%,#c7a58c 50% 75%,#a97b64 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4664\" title=\"HolcombSldr6\" alt=\"HolcombSldr6\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4664\" title=\"HolcombSldr6\" alt=\"HolcombSldr6\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>The glory hole at the &#8220;Lucky Baldwin&#8221; Mine<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>                     <div class=\"tf_swiper-slide\" style=\"content-visibility:hidden\">            <div class=\"slide-inner-wrap\">\n                                    <div class=\"tf_rel tf_lazy slide-image\">\n                                                                            <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#019af7 25%,#00a0f1 25% 50%,#00a0ec 50% 75%,#3a3748 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#aab8c1 25%,#393d2c 25% 50%,#020400 50% 75%,#2e2e24 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#43463f 25%,#9d9e98 25% 50%,#4c4940 50% 75%,#32332d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#888d79 25%,#eac6b0 25% 50%,#929095 50% 75%,#ad906e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"tf_svg_lazy wp-post-image wp-image-4665\" title=\"HolcombSldr7\" alt=\"HolcombSldr7\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-4665\" title=\"HolcombSldr7\" alt=\"HolcombSldr7\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript>                                            <\/div>\n                \n                                    <div class=\"slide-content tb_text_wrap\">\n                        \n                                                    <div>Overlooking the view near the &#8220;Lucky Baldwin&#8221; Mine on Gold Mountain<\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>            <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_s1i3276 tf_w\">\n            <style>.tb_s1i3276{animation:bg-animation-horizontally-s1i3276 55s linear infinite!important;background-repeat:repeat!important}@keyframes bg-animation-horizontally-s1i3276{\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom{background-position:0 0}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tto{background-position:-2673px 0}\n\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style>            <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_xbpt284 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_sg70284   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">The sagebrush covered floor of Holcomb Valley<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_7waa276 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_j02r284 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_tdo0284   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Virtual Video Tour on YouTube<\/h2>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_9nan285 image-overlay bordered  tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                   <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-5551\" title=\"Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments\" alt=\"Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>        <\/a>\n    \n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments                    <\/a>\n                            <\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n                <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_m0o8285   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking &amp; Prospecting<\/h2><p>Along with exploring and seeing historical sites, Holcomb Valley is also a great place to engage in rock climbing, exploring the many flat dirt trails on mountain bike and even gold prospecting<\/p><p>Even if you&#8217;re not into rock climbing, on a non-winter weekend, you will most likely find rock climbers near Holcomb Valley Pinnacles. \u00a0They are certainly fun to watch. \u00a0This climbing area is located just north of the town site of Belleville. \u00a0To access this rocky area, go back to where our tour turns left onto road 3N05 off of 3N16. \u00a0Just a short distance west of this junction, another road leads north labeled 3N07. \u00a0You may have seen the sign pointing to Wilbur&#8217;s Grave and Arctic Canyon. \u00a0Head north on this road until you hit the base of the hills, then bear\u00a0right. \u00a0All the granite outcroppings on the left (north) is great climbing material. \u00a0This is also the source of much of the surface gold that washed down and was found in Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Because there are so many well-maintained roads in Holcomb Valley that are mostly on flat terrain, it is a great place to explore on mountain bike. \u00a0We&#8217;ve driven to the center of Holcomb Valley, parked at one of the campgrounds or picnic spots, then unloaded\u00a0our mountain bikes and spent a good portion of the day just looking around.\u00a0 Since there is very little traffic on the roads, it makes it especially nice. \u00a0However, keep your ears \u00a0tuned for vehicles and motorcycles as they won&#8217;t see you coming through the trees.<\/p><p>Although there are no more &#8220;professional&#8221; gold miners in Holcomb Valley today, there are still a number of gold prospector hobbyists that can be spotted. \u00a0A number of gold prospector clubs have claims around the valley where you might find groups of people either panning or using a dry washer to find small particles of gold.<\/p><h2>Vehicle Requirements<\/h2><p>During most of the year, the dirt roads in Holcomb Valley can easily be accessed by most vehicles. However, there are times and situations where 2WD &amp; AWD, or vehicles with low clearance, would not be adequate for these roads. This section explains some of those situations.<\/p><p>Naturally, the best vehicle to take on these roads is a high clearance 4WD vehicle. In most cases, high clearance 2WD trucks and SUVs are also suitable. The only exception where these vehicles would have difficulties is during the winter snows or when there is a lot of mud during snowmelt.<\/p><p>Keep in mind that the length of this trip is 12.5 miles, which is entirely on dirt roads. 2WD &amp; AWD vehicles are built for street use and are not equipped with extra suspension and protection from bumpy dirt roads with loose rocks. Using such vehicles on dirt roads could damage them or at least greatly add to their wear and tear, leading to premature aging of the vehicle.<\/p><p>Unlike improved paved roads built with drainage systems, dirt roads are subjected to water erosion from rainstorms throughout the year. This causes ruts and gullies that cut holes into the roads. Driving over these obstacles will sometimes be challenging, especially in vehicles with low clearance. Often, these gullies are not fixed by road crews for many months or years and become deeper after each rainstorm.<\/p><p>For 2WD &amp; AWD vehicles, there are two potentially difficult sections of the route that are steep. One is the climb up Polique Canyon Road, however the grade is not too steep. The roughest section of the route is the descent near Gold Mountain. Vehicles with low ground clearance should not attempt this last section of the trip and not go further than the Metzger Mine (stop #11), unless it was reported that the road is in good condition.<\/p><p>These and others are all situations to consider when driving the roads in Holcomb Valley. Before traveling these roads, it is recommended to visit either the Big Bear Discovery Center or the Big Bear Ranger Station to inquire on the condition of the roads.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_5461\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5461\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5461\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg\" alt=\"Road 3N16 near Gold Mountain\" width=\"1000\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1-300x179.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1-768x459.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5461\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Road 3N16 near Gold Mountain<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>The Driving Route<\/h2><p>A driving tour through Holcomb Valley can be a fun experience.\u00a0 There are plenty of places to get out and walk through the sites where much of the history mentioned above took place.\u00a0 You can either hit all of the sites in a random order or take a more systematic route.\u00a0 A blog post on our website explains a suggested route to visit the sites along with an interactive map that points them out.\u00a0 Also included is a virtual video tour showing the route with an animated map and how all the sites look as of 2016.<\/p><p>When you do plan your visit to Holcomb Valley, we strongly suggest stopping in at the Big Bear Discovery Center.\u00a0 They can provide you with a wealth of information about what to do and see in the Big Bear area.\u00a0 Also pick up a handy pamphlet called \u201cthe Gold Fever Trail\u201d describing a self-guided auto tour through Holcomb Valley (which our own route follows).<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_ghvn285 button-right brown  rounded gradient\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">Gold Fever Trail Brochure<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            In case you&#8217;re not planning on stopping by the Big Bear Discovery Center, we have a PDF copy of the trip guide for you to download and print out for your trip.  It is a TRI-FOLD BROCHURE.  So realize that after you print it out, it is already formatted for you to make 3 folds for easier handling during your trip.        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n                    <div class=\"callout-button tf_right tf_textr\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/HolcombGoldFeverTrail.pdf\" class=\"ui builder_button rounded gradient shadow red\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\n                <span class=\"tb_callout_text\">Open PDF<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n<!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hxkh285   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h2>Start\u00a0at the Discovery Center<\/h2><p>Our tour starts by heading north on Polique Canyon Road (2N09) from Hwy 38.\u00a0 This intersection is located 0.8 mile from the Discovery Center.\u00a0 At 3.2 miles from the Center, 2N09 reaches a summit and intersects the Pacific Crest Trail.\u00a0 Walk the trail east a short distance for a sweeping view of Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Continue down 2N09 into Holcomb Valley to the first stop at 4.8 miles.\u00a0 This is the site of many placer holes.\u00a0 Placer mining is a simple technique where miners simply dug into the flat ground and processed the dirt looking for gold.\u00a0 They processed it by panning, using a sluice or an arrastre.\u00a0 An arrastre still exists near the town site of Belleville.<\/p><p>Back on 2N09, make a right turn onto Holcomb Valley Road (3N16).\u00a0 At 5.4 miles, turn left onto road 3N05.\u00a0 This is a loop road that passes by several sites along the Gold Fever Trail.\u00a0 It T\u2019s into 3N16, where you turn left.\u00a0 Just after turning left is the site where Bill Holcomb first discovered gold, staked a claim and began mining gold in 1860.<\/p><p>A short distance later is the town site of Belleville.\u00a0 Here you\u2019ll find a reconstructed log cabin and the arrastre mentioned earlier.\u00a0 There is also a nice view of the meadow that covers a good portion of Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Continuing east on 3N16 will take you all the way back to Hwy 18, a distance of about 5.6 miles.\u00a0 Along the way, you\u2019ll pass by more sites including two hard-rock mines, one of them being the Lucky \u201cBaldwin\u201d and the site of Bairdstown (Doble).<\/p><h2>Trip Map<\/h2><p>The yellow line marks our\u00a0approximate\u00a0route. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module maps pro -->\n<div  id=\"tb_1kdo285\" class=\"module module-maps-pro tb_1kdo285 Holcomb-kmlLayer tf_lazy\" data-zoom=\"12\" data-type=\"TERRAIN\" data-address=\"34.289208, -116.874125\" data-scrollwheel=\"1\" data-draggable=\"enable\" data-disable_map_ui=\"\" data-polyline=\"\" data-geodesic=\"\" data-polylineStroke=\"2\" data-polylineColor=\"\" data-trigger=\"\" data-mapid=\"\" data-legacymarkers=\"\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"maps-pro-canvas\" style=\"width:100%;height:400px\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.263304, -116.905298\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBig Bear Discovery Center\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.265037, -116.921037\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStart of trip at Hwy 38 & Polique Canyon Road\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.284391, -116.915747\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #1: View of Holcomb Valley\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.303106, -116.909025\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #2: Last Chance Placer\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.306299, -116.924554\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-info.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTrenches found here were left by the dredging operation in 1880\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.302807, -116.899448\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTurn left here off 3N16 and onto 3N05\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.305825, -116.898227\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #3: site of Two Gun Bill's Saloon\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.303663, -116.892059\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #4: short walk to site of Jonathan Tibbett's Grasshopper Quartz Mill\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.303053, -116.889675\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #5: Hangman's Tree\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.299890, -116.889781\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #6: Site of Bill Holcomb's original gold discovery and diggings\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.301414, -116.886029\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #7 & 8: Old town site of Belleville and a sample arrastre\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.301822, -116.855078\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #11: Park here and walk to Metzger Mine\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.302964, -116.829361\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStop #12: Gold Mountain Mine aka Lucky Baldwin Mine site\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.298218, -116.822076\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOld town site of Doble, originally named Bairdstown\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.293887, -116.813847\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-jeep.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEnd of our trip at SR 18\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-address=\"34.304960, -116.880645\" data-image=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/icon-hiker.png\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHolcomb Valley Pinnacles rock climbing area\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module maps pro --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_xtfv285   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Comments<\/h3><p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_pou2276 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 tb_kytx286 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_19tb286   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we&#8217;ll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><!-- Begin PayPal Donations by https:\/\/www.tipsandtricks-hq.com\/paypal-donations-widgets-plugin -->\n\n<form action=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/cgi-bin\/webscr\" method=\"post\">\n    <div class=\"paypal-donations\">\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"cmd\" value=\"_donations\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"bn\" value=\"TipsandTricks_SP\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"business\" value=\"ilene@backroadswest.com\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"return\" value=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_name\" value=\"Help fund our travel cost to create more trips\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"item_number\" value=\"BackRoadsWest Blog Donation\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"amount\" value=\"5.00\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rm\" value=\"0\" \/>\n        <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"currency_code\" value=\"USD\" 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tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_zfhl287 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_5sn5287   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-2382 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_vbvk287   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><!-- 468x60, created 5\/19\/11 --> <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 468px; height: 60px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9021992350535116\" data-ad-slot=\"7695972004\"><\/ins><script>\/\/ <![CDATA[\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module callout -->\n<div  class=\"module ui module-callout tb_x6gb288 button-bottom red  rounded gradient shadow wow\" data-tf-animation=\"rubberBand\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <div class=\"callout-inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-content tf_left\">\n        <h3 class=\"callout-heading\">More Trips<\/h3>\n        <div class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n            Would you like to see more road trips like this?        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n                    <div class=\"callout-button tf_right tf_textr\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/roadeasy\/\" class=\"ui builder_button rounded gradient shadow yellow\">\n                <span class=\"tb_callout_text\">See more easy road trips<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/callout-content -->\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module callout -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On the eve of the American Civil War, the largest gold rush in Southern California was taking place in Holcomb Valley of the San Bernardino Mountains.\u00a0 Holcomb Valley is a mountain-top valley just north of Bear Valley where the popular resort of Big Bear Lake is located today.\u00a0 A trip into Holcomb Valley offers a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4656,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,25,12,15,17,18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-california","category-historic","category-places","category-roadeasy","category-season-fall","category-season-summer","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.9 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A trip to Holcomb Valley entails exploring a forested area where you can still find traces of where over a thousand gold miners dug for the elusive yellow rock.\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"max-image-preview:large\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cliff Bandringa\"\/>\n\t<meta name=\"keywords\" content=\"holcomb valley,big bear,san bernardino mountains,belleville,bill holcomb,holcomb,doble,bairdstown\" \/>\n\t<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"All in One SEO (AIOSEO) 4.9.9\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BackRoadsWest Trips Blog | A new kind of travel guide for the 21st Century\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog\" \/>\n\t\t<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A trip to Holcomb Valley entails exploring a forested area where you can still find traces of where over a thousand gold miners 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Bandringa","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/#authorImage","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3070f9b6dc5e9947e9e6797308c9ae74?s=96&d=mm&r=g","width":96,"height":96,"caption":"Cliff Bandringa"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/#webpage","url":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/","name":"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog","description":"A trip to Holcomb Valley entails exploring a forested area where you can still find traces of where over a thousand gold miners dug for the elusive yellow 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21st Century","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/#organization"}}]},"og:locale":"en_US","og:site_name":"BackRoadsWest Trips Blog | A new kind of travel guide for the 21st Century","og:type":"article","og:title":"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog","og:description":"A trip to Holcomb Valley entails exploring a forested area where you can still find traces of where over a thousand gold miners dug for the elusive yellow rock.","og:url":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/","article:published_time":"2016-07-29T00:55:16+00:00","article:modified_time":"2022-09-21T19:37:46+00:00","twitter:card":"summary","twitter:title":"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear | BackRoadsWest Trips Blog","twitter:description":"A trip to Holcomb Valley entails exploring a forested area where you can still find traces of where over a thousand gold miners dug for the elusive yellow 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03:39:26","updated":"2026-05-13 18:36:05","seo_analyzer_scan_date":null},"aioseo_breadcrumb":"<div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/\" title=\"California\">California<\/a>\n\t\t<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">&raquo;<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\tHolcomb Valley near Big Bear\n\t\t<\/span><\/div>","aioseo_breadcrumb_json":[{"label":"Home","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog"},{"label":"California","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/california\/"},{"label":"Holcomb Valley near Big Bear","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/holcomb-valley-near-big-bear\/"}],"builder_content":"<p><strong>On the eve of the American Civil War, the largest gold rush in Southern California was taking place in Holcomb Valley of the San Bernardino Mountains.<\/strong>\u00a0 Holcomb Valley is a mountain-top valley just north of Bear Valley where the popular resort of Big Bear Lake is located today.\u00a0 A trip into Holcomb Valley offers a great half or full day of exploring a forested area where you can still find slight traces of where over a thousand gold miners once dug for the elusive yellow rock.<\/p>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb.jpg\" title=\"Holcomb\" alt=\"Holcomb\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Holcomb-192x173.jpg 192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>\n<img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown-200x75.png\" width=\"200\" height=\"75\" title=\"ScrollDown\" alt=\"ScrollDown\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown-200x75.png 200w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/ScrollDown.png 220w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>\n<h3>Trip Specs<\/h3>\n<h3>Length<\/h3> 12.5 miles (20 km) one-way\n<h3>Attractions<\/h3> <ul> <li>Mountain scenery<\/li> <li>Historic gold mining areas<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Difficulty<\/h3> <ul> <li>High clearance vehicle - no 4WD needed<\/li> <li>Continuous mountain driving - lots of twists and turns<\/li> <li>Fairly easy to navigate - there are some signs<\/li> <li>Lookout for snow and mud in winter<\/li> <\/ul>\n<h3>Elevation Gain<\/h3> About 800 feet gain from Discover Center\n<h3>The History<\/h3><p>But before you go, let us tell you a little history about the gold rush to Holcomb Valley which started in 1860, peaked in 1861, then continued to interest miners and investors off and on until the 1950\u2019s.\u00a0 We\u2019ll also explain a driving tour that will take you to some of the actual spots where different events took place during this gold rush.\u00a0 Although there aren\u2019t any ghost towns to see, there are placer holes dug by the miners, some remains of ore mills and their tailings, an actual mining tunnel (adit) or two, old pieces of metal, and a few reconstructed cabins.<\/p><p>As with many other mining boomtowns of the 1800\u2019s, there were lots of fanciful stories and legends told about them and sometimes those stories make it into today\u2019s history books as \u201cfact\u201d.\u00a0 Oftentimes \u201chistory\u201d is written based on the best knowledge available at the time (someone\u2019s memory or best guess) only to be proven incorrect later on.\u00a0 With that in mind, we have written this article based on the \u201chistory\u201d available to us.<\/p><h3>Discovery<\/h3><p>Bill Holcomb came out west from Indiana in 1850 to seek his fortune in northern California\u2019s Mother Lode but he was not successful there.\u00a0 He began heading south, trying his luck in the Kern River and then at Newhall.\u00a0 He heard about prospectors who\u2019d had a little luck in Bear Valley of the San Bernardino Mountains and so off he went.\u00a0 He was an excellent marksman and was hired by other prospectors in Bear Valley to hunt bear for meat.\u00a0 At that time, the San Bernardino\u2019s were literally infested with giant California Grizzly Bear that maimed and killed prospectors on a regular basis.\u00a0 One day, while tracking a bear into the next valley to the north, Holcomb came across a ledge of quartz rock riddled with gold.\u00a0 Soon, the rush was on and the place was named Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Much of the gold mining in the early 1860\u2019s focused in the center of Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 Of the three towns that emerged, the largest was Belleville which was named after the daughter of Jed Van Dusen.\u00a0 Van Dusen is also the name of the main road from the top of the old Brown Toll Road in the Cajon Pass to Holcomb and Bear Valleys and the name of a canyon in the area.<\/p><p>In 1860, there was a county-wide vote to determine where to place the county seat for the fast-growing area of San Bernardino and the town of San Bernardino won out over Belleville <em>by just a couple of votes<\/em>.\u00a0 Rumor has it that one ballot box from Belleville was mysteriously lost which would have certainly contained the votes needed to win the election.<\/p><h3>A Rough &amp; Tough Place<\/h3><p>During the boom years of 1860 and 1861, Holcomb Valley was as wild and rough as any other western mining town.\u00a0 An estimated 50 murders took place in those two years.\u00a0 In August 1861, a bunch of bandits from Utah known as the Button\u2019s Gang dominated Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 If they wanted to stay overnight somewhere, they would simply kick out the occupants or owners of a cabin and move in.\u00a0 They would also help themselves to any supplies they wanted.\u00a0 But, like many outlaws of the day, their lives came to a violent end.\u00a0 The Hangman\u2019s Tree, a stop along the tour through Holcomb Valley, is where many outlaws met their maker.<\/p><p>Along with the bandits, most of the occupants of Holcomb Valley took sides in the developing Civil War.\u00a0 Tensions were high in the valley between Unionists and Secessionists.\u00a0 Miners that followed one gold rush to another had strong Southern sympathies.\u00a0 The <em>Knights of the Golden Circle<\/em>, a nationwide secret society that promoted separation from the U.S., held regular meetings north of Holcomb Valley (near Cushenburry Springs) to promote their cause.\u00a0 Miners that sided with the North congregated in northeastern Holcomb Valley which is still labeled <em>Union Flat<\/em> on maps today.<\/p><p>The big boom of Holcomb Valley ended after a strong blizzard struck the San Bernardino\u2019s in January 1862.\u00a0 Mining continued in a more subdued fashion until about 1940 and there were a few \u201cmini-rushes\u201d during that time.<\/p><h3>\"Lucky\" Baldwin and Gold Mountain<\/h3><p>One was in 1874 when a gold discovery was made on Gold Mountain, near present-day Baldwin Lake.\u00a0 A famous mine developer, Elias Jackson \u201cLucky\u201d Baldwin, invested in the site and the mini-rush was on.\u00a0 He spent a lot of money building a 40-stamp mill (which was huge in those days) in anticipation of all the gold that was to be mined.\u00a0 But just like with so many other rushes, the ore didn\u2019t pay out as expected and Baldwin shut down his mill in less than a year.\u00a0 It mysteriously burned down two years later.<\/p><p>In 1900, Baldwin, along with a new investor, built a new 40-stamp mill just above the old one and excitement arose once more.\u00a0 The new operation kept going strong for three years, then after Baldwin\u2019s death in 1909, the mine sputtered on with various owners until the dawn of World War II.<\/p><h3>An Attempt at Dredging<\/h3><p>In 1880, a British miner came to Holcomb Valley and began a dredging operation, which was becoming a popular mining method in California\u2019s Gold Country.\u00a0 Somehow, the Brit estimated that there was $240 million in gold locked up in the soils of Holcomb Valley!\u00a0 Although it is unclear just how much gold was actually mined since 1860, it is unlikely that it ever reached more than a million.\u00a0 The Brit invested in a lot of equipment, had a labor force of 100 miners and brought up a steam shovel dredge to begin digging trenches.\u00a0 Operations started in 1891 and by 1895, an impressive trench measuring 3,000 foot (0.56 mile) long, 16 feet wide and 8 feet deep was dug.\u00a0 It is still visible in western Holcomb Valley.\u00a0 Not much gold was recovered and many investors in England lost a lot of money in the operation.<\/p><p>More...<\/p><p>[adrotate group=\"3\"]<\/p>\n<h3>Pictures<\/h3><p>Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p>\n<img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4389e9 25%,#408df5 25% 50%,#469afd 50% 75%,#52abff 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#5f5a57 25%,#686458 25% 50%,#9e9f99 50% 75%,#686580 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6b503d 25%,#8e8f53 25% 50%,#312b15 50% 75%,#cdcdc3 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#303018 25%,#120a08 25% 50%,#4c4441 50% 75%,#4c5419 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr1\" alt=\"View of Holcomb Valley\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr1\" alt=\"View of Holcomb Valley\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> View of Holcomb Valley <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#5e6a56 25%,#161a0c 25% 50%,#252712 50% 75%,#84996e 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#3a201f 25%,#c5b6af 25% 50%,#7c716d 50% 75%,#23090a 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#7a5c51 25%,#967564 25% 50%,#4b4954 50% 75%,#777580 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9c8887 25%,#775e5a 25% 50%,#7f5d53 50% 75%,#9c8692 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" alt=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" alt=\"Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Last Chance Placer, stop #2, along the Gold Fever Trail <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#4b565a 25%,#6786a5 25% 50%,#4f87da 50% 75%,#607ec6 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#1a2322 25%,#46523c 25% 50%,#8f9e89 50% 75%,#473e39 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#9babb8 25%,#7a8e99 25% 50%,#a0a4b0 50% 75%,#4d515d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#bd9c97 25%,#dec2bf 25% 50%,#c1a099 50% 75%,#d1b3a9 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr3\" alt=\"HolcombSldr3\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr3\" alt=\"HolcombSldr3\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Remains of Two Gun Bill's Saloon <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#2d81e4 25%,#3088e9 25% 50%,#2e86e7 50% 75%,#2b81e4 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#293020 25%,#465a63 25% 50%,#2f4461 50% 75%,#435352 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#6b6c67 25%,#4b464a 25% 50%,#a0acaa 50% 75%,#e8dfd8 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#403b41 25%,#ccb2a5 25% 50%,#dcc0b2 50% 75%,#dccabe 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr4\" alt=\"HolcombSldr4\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr4\" alt=\"HolcombSldr4\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Driving through Holcomb Valley <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#1d7ded 25%,#1478ea 25% 50%,#156ee2 50% 75%,#647541 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#597c82 25%,#3991e8 25% 50%,#2b89e3 50% 75%,#408fda 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#718087 25%,#6d5e65 25% 50%,#718079 50% 75%,#60646f 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#68595e 25%,#4c5658 25% 50%,#ae8e7f 50% 75%,#ba9d8f 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr5\" alt=\"HolcombSldr5\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr5\" alt=\"HolcombSldr5\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> The site of Belleville, with it's single restored cabin <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#223225 25%,#4d98f3 25% 50%,#3a84dd 50% 75%,#3a70b6 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#0f1312 25%,#987c7b 25% 50%,#9b5d38 50% 75%,#9d7c73 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#c68b7d 25%,#765047 25% 50%,#632c17 50% 75%,#c7ab95 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#d4bcb0 25%,#e1cbc0 25% 50%,#c7a58c 50% 75%,#a97b64 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr6\" alt=\"HolcombSldr6\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr6\" alt=\"HolcombSldr6\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr6-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> The glory hole at the \"Lucky Baldwin\" Mine <img src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%27http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%27%20width='800'%20height='450'%20viewBox=%270%200%20800%20450%27%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" loading=\"lazy\" data-lazy=\"1\" data-tf-not-load=\"1\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(to right,#019af7 25%,#00a0f1 25% 50%,#00a0ec 50% 75%,#3a3748 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#aab8c1 25%,#393d2c 25% 50%,#020400 50% 75%,#2e2e24 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#43463f 25%,#9d9e98 25% 50%,#4c4940 50% 75%,#32332d 75%),linear-gradient(to right,#888d79 25%,#eac6b0 25% 50%,#929095 50% 75%,#ad906e 75%)\" decoding=\"async\" data-tf-src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr7\" alt=\"HolcombSldr7\" data-tf-srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" data-tf-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img data-tf-not-load data-no-script src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-800x450.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" title=\"HolcombSldr7\" alt=\"HolcombSldr7\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7.jpg 800w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombSldr7-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript> Overlooking the view near the \"Lucky Baldwin\" Mine on Gold Mountain\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The sagebrush covered floor of Holcomb Valley<\/p>\n<h2>Virtual Video Tour on YouTube<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> <img src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube.jpg\" title=\"Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments\" alt=\"Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/HolcombYouTube-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/> <\/a> <h3> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Click image to play on YouTube and see viewer comments <\/a> <\/h3>\n<h2>Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking &amp; Prospecting<\/h2><p>Along with exploring and seeing historical sites, Holcomb Valley is also a great place to engage in rock climbing, exploring the many flat dirt trails on mountain bike and even gold prospecting<\/p><p>Even if you're not into rock climbing, on a non-winter weekend, you will most likely find rock climbers near Holcomb Valley Pinnacles. \u00a0They are certainly fun to watch. \u00a0This climbing area is located just north of the town site of Belleville. \u00a0To access this rocky area, go back to where our tour turns left onto road 3N05 off of 3N16. \u00a0Just a short distance west of this junction, another road leads north labeled 3N07. \u00a0You may have seen the sign pointing to Wilbur's Grave and Arctic Canyon. \u00a0Head north on this road until you hit the base of the hills, then bear\u00a0right. \u00a0All the granite outcroppings on the left (north) is great climbing material. \u00a0This is also the source of much of the surface gold that washed down and was found in Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Because there are so many well-maintained roads in Holcomb Valley that are mostly on flat terrain, it is a great place to explore on mountain bike. \u00a0We've driven to the center of Holcomb Valley, parked at one of the campgrounds or picnic spots, then unloaded\u00a0our mountain bikes and spent a good portion of the day just looking around.\u00a0 Since there is very little traffic on the roads, it makes it especially nice. \u00a0However, keep your ears \u00a0tuned for vehicles and motorcycles as they won't see you coming through the trees.<\/p><p>Although there are no more \"professional\" gold miners in Holcomb Valley today, there are still a number of gold prospector hobbyists that can be spotted. \u00a0A number of gold prospector clubs have claims around the valley where you might find groups of people either panning or using a dry washer to find small particles of gold.<\/p><h2>Vehicle Requirements<\/h2><p>During most of the year, the dirt roads in Holcomb Valley can easily be accessed by most vehicles. However, there are times and situations where 2WD &amp; AWD, or vehicles with low clearance, would not be adequate for these roads. This section explains some of those situations.<\/p><p>Naturally, the best vehicle to take on these roads is a high clearance 4WD vehicle. In most cases, high clearance 2WD trucks and SUVs are also suitable. The only exception where these vehicles would have difficulties is during the winter snows or when there is a lot of mud during snowmelt.<\/p><p>Keep in mind that the length of this trip is 12.5 miles, which is entirely on dirt roads. 2WD &amp; AWD vehicles are built for street use and are not equipped with extra suspension and protection from bumpy dirt roads with loose rocks. Using such vehicles on dirt roads could damage them or at least greatly add to their wear and tear, leading to premature aging of the vehicle.<\/p><p>Unlike improved paved roads built with drainage systems, dirt roads are subjected to water erosion from rainstorms throughout the year. This causes ruts and gullies that cut holes into the roads. Driving over these obstacles will sometimes be challenging, especially in vehicles with low clearance. Often, these gullies are not fixed by road crews for many months or years and become deeper after each rainstorm.<\/p><p>For 2WD &amp; AWD vehicles, there are two potentially difficult sections of the route that are steep. One is the climb up Polique Canyon Road, however the grade is not too steep. The roughest section of the route is the descent near Gold Mountain. Vehicles with low ground clearance should not attempt this last section of the trip and not go further than the Metzger Mine (stop #11), unless it was reported that the road is in good condition.<\/p><p>These and others are all situations to consider when driving the roads in Holcomb Valley. Before traveling these roads, it is recommended to visit either the Big Bear Discovery Center or the Big Bear Ranger Station to inquire on the condition of the roads.<\/p>[caption id=\"attachment_5461\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1000\"]<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg\" alt=\"Road 3N16 near Gold Mountain\" width=\"1000\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1.jpg 1000w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1-300x179.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/HolcombRd1-768x459.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a> Road 3N16 near Gold Mountain[\/caption]<h2>The Driving Route<\/h2><p>A driving tour through Holcomb Valley can be a fun experience.\u00a0 There are plenty of places to get out and walk through the sites where much of the history mentioned above took place.\u00a0 You can either hit all of the sites in a random order or take a more systematic route.\u00a0 A blog post on our website explains a suggested route to visit the sites along with an interactive map that points them out.\u00a0 Also included is a virtual video tour showing the route with an animated map and how all the sites look as of 2016.<\/p><p>When you do plan your visit to Holcomb Valley, we strongly suggest stopping in at the Big Bear Discovery Center.\u00a0 They can provide you with a wealth of information about what to do and see in the Big Bear area.\u00a0 Also pick up a handy pamphlet called \u201cthe Gold Fever Trail\u201d describing a self-guided auto tour through Holcomb Valley (which our own route follows).<\/p>\n<h3>Gold Fever Trail Brochure<\/h3> In case you're not planning on stopping by the Big Bear Discovery Center, we have a PDF copy of the trip guide for you to download and print out for your trip. It is a TRI-FOLD BROCHURE. So realize that after you print it out, it is already formatted for you to make 3 folds for easier handling during your trip. <a href=\"http:\/\/backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/HolcombGoldFeverTrail.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Open PDF <\/a>\n<h2>Start\u00a0at the Discovery Center<\/h2><p>Our tour starts by heading north on Polique Canyon Road (2N09) from Hwy 38.\u00a0 This intersection is located 0.8 mile from the Discovery Center.\u00a0 At 3.2 miles from the Center, 2N09 reaches a summit and intersects the Pacific Crest Trail.\u00a0 Walk the trail east a short distance for a sweeping view of Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Continue down 2N09 into Holcomb Valley to the first stop at 4.8 miles.\u00a0 This is the site of many placer holes.\u00a0 Placer mining is a simple technique where miners simply dug into the flat ground and processed the dirt looking for gold.\u00a0 They processed it by panning, using a sluice or an arrastre.\u00a0 An arrastre still exists near the town site of Belleville.<\/p><p>Back on 2N09, make a right turn onto Holcomb Valley Road (3N16).\u00a0 At 5.4 miles, turn left onto road 3N05.\u00a0 This is a loop road that passes by several sites along the Gold Fever Trail.\u00a0 It T\u2019s into 3N16, where you turn left.\u00a0 Just after turning left is the site where Bill Holcomb first discovered gold, staked a claim and began mining gold in 1860.<\/p><p>A short distance later is the town site of Belleville.\u00a0 Here you\u2019ll find a reconstructed log cabin and the arrastre mentioned earlier.\u00a0 There is also a nice view of the meadow that covers a good portion of Holcomb Valley.<\/p><p>Continuing east on 3N16 will take you all the way back to Hwy 18, a distance of about 5.6 miles.\u00a0 Along the way, you\u2019ll pass by more sites including two hard-rock mines, one of them being the Lucky \u201cBaldwin\u201d and the site of Bairdstown (Doble).<\/p><h2>Trip Map<\/h2><p>The yellow line marks our\u00a0approximate\u00a0route. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/map\/\">Learn more<\/a> about our maps.<\/p>\n<template> Big Bear Discovery Center Start of trip at Hwy 38 & Polique Canyon Road Stop #1: View of Holcomb Valley Stop #2: Last Chance Placer Trenches found here were left by the dredging operation in 1880 Turn left here off 3N16 and onto 3N05 Stop #3: site of Two Gun Bill's Saloon Stop #4: short walk to site of Jonathan Tibbett's Grasshopper Quartz Mill Stop #5: Hangman's Tree Stop #6: Site of Bill Holcomb's original gold discovery and diggings Stop #7 & 8: Old town site of Belleville and a sample arrastre Stop #11: Park here and walk to Metzger Mine Stop #12: Gold Mountain Mine aka Lucky Baldwin Mine site Old town site of Doble, originally named Bairdstown End of our trip at SR 18 Holcomb Valley Pinnacles rock climbing area <\/template>\n<h3>Comments<\/h3><p>Read and leave comments about this post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TCZ5sGqFZ4\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Support Us<\/h3><p>Help us fill up our tank with gas for our next trip by donating $5 and we'll bring you back more quality virtual tours of our trips!<\/p><p>Your credit card payment is safe and easy using PayPal. Click the [Donate] button to get started:<\/p><p>[paypal-donation]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Subscribe<\/h3> <p>[mc4wp_form]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>See all our comprehensive virtual tour guides at<\/em>:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a title=\"BackRoadsWest\" href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/brw\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg\" alt=\"BRWlogo\" width=\"300\" height=\"40\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo-300x40.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BRWlogo.jpg 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p> <ins style=\"display: inline-block; width: 468px; height: 60px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9021992350535116\" data-ad-slot=\"7695972004\"><\/ins><\/p>\n<h3>More Trips<\/h3> Would you like to see more road trips like this? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/category\/roadeasy\/\"> See more easy road trips <\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4655"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6318,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4655\/revisions\/6318"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}