Big Bear Lake Backcountry Trail Map

he San Bernardino Mountains reach nearly two miles skyward to separate the east end of the Los Angeles basin from the high desert areas of Victorville and Hesperia. At 6,750 feet, Big Bear Valley is located in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains. The Valley was named after the grizzly bears who once roamed the mountains. Fifteen years after the discovery of Big Bear Valley, Bill Holcomb found gold in the valley north of Big Bear--Holcomb Valley. The news of his discovery in 1860 traveled quickly and Holcomb Valley became part of the gold rush era. Boom towns like Clapboard, Belleville and Doble provided services for the 1500 residents living in Holcomb Valley. The first miners dug down to the bedrock for the gold-rich soil and rock. After most of the placer mines were claimed, miners began digging hafts along quartz veins. The mountainous terrain offers Californians year round recreation: from winter sports to summer camping. The off highway opportunities, like most areas, are di