3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail

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4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Big Bear City, California (San Bernardino County)
Last Updated: 06/05/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude Category Icon Altitude
Desert Category Icon Desert
Forest Category Icon Forest
Rock Category Icon Rock
Sand Category Icon Sand
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
Snow Wheeling Category Icon Snow Wheeling
Wash Category Icon Wash
Water Category Icon Water

Comfortably nestled back in the forest of Big Bear, this challenging trail has been attracting visitors for decades. Argued to be the most demanding trail in the Big Bear Mountain range, this trail provides fantastic views along with some of the hardest off-roading in the area. While traveling the trail, expect everything from water crossings and extensive rock gardens to challenging hill climbs. Be warned, this trail has claimed many vehicles over the years and should not be underestimated.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Holcomb Creek (3N93) is arguably the most challenging rock crawling route on the mountain range. It is comprised of 5 rock gardens, several water crossings, a washed-out pass, several steep hill climbs with obstacles on them, and much more. This trail is waiting to cause havoc on your vehicle. In the winter, it does snow on this trail. Since the trail is on the north side of the mountains, snow does stick for long periods. If you are up for the challenge, this trail goes from the easy line being ranked a high "6" rating in dry and perfect conditions to the easy line being a mandatory 10+ rating in less wet conditions. The trail is more demanding going east to west.

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (44)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/24/2023

Had a great day out on the trail today up until the middle rock garden. We were running it west to east and ran into a group at the obstacle which included an F-250. Spent two and a half hours watching him hit the same line over…and over….and over. Very frustrating because they had the trail completely blocked and the guy in the 250 refused to let anyone by and refused to back down the trail. Finally his group convinced him and once they were clear we made it through with the help of a great spotter named Todd who appeared out of nowhere and got us through. Lots of fun once we were able to get moving again.
Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Charles Quarto
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Official Crew
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130100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/05/2023

Ran the trail again. Someone moved the rocks in the hard rock garden, making it harder from the last time I ran it (2 weeks ago). I am not going to change the rating as there is still a line through on this rating. You just have to have some good imagination and now do a little zig-zag through the garden. Also, I doubt this harder version will last more than a month as I am sure people will move the rocks that make it hard right now out of the way. I also think the new v-notch in the middle of the trail might be here to stay for a while. I will add it to the trail review. PS - New trail guide coming!!!
Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Josh Noesser
Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Josh Noesser
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6550
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We planned to do a late afternoon/sunset run and things got started great with everyone getting thru the gatekeeper (west) without any issues. Moved along great past the optional v-notch with sharp left turn to top out. At this spot one of our Jeeps would not start and after trying to jump start we decided we had to pull it thru the middle rock garden and then escape on Lower Larga flats road to get back to the Green Valley road area. We did just that but it got dark at the middle rock garden and a lot of winching to get the disabled Jeep thru kept us there for at least 3 hours! Then another 2.5 hours to get back to where we could get the Jeep towed. Luckily my son had drones and his Sony and documented this. Check it out 🤙🏼
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Official Crew
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130100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/08/2023

This trail has changed a lot, mainly because of the insane amount of water running through it right now. It's a must-do as it is a cool experience. The trail is a bit harder FYI at the center rock garden as things moved around.
Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Josh Noesser
Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Josh Noesser
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Official Crew
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130100
Open
Visited: 05/05/2023

Trails are officially open https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1095216.pdf

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