California Trails

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail

Big Bear City, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 12/19/2022

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Trail Information

Highlights

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

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Josh Noesser

Official Crew

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.

Please remember no camping within 100 feet of the creek and other water sources, and do not dam up the creeks.

1. West Trailhead At 3N16 - Holcomb Valley Road (0 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 1: West Trailhead At 3N16 - Holcomb Valley Road

The west trailhead is where Holcomb Creek intersects with 3N16 – Holcomb Creek Trail. Going west to east is probably the more popular route as it makes the center rock garden easier, but both directions offer a lot of fun and different challenges.

2. West Rock Garden (0 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 2: West Rock Garden

Holcomb Creek offers a rock garden with a rocker panel destroying gatekeeper. This is the largest of the rock gardens with the largest rocks on the trail. The rock garden spans over 300 feet long, with rocks more significant than 36 inches. Be ready to use your rocker guards and lockers because it takes a bit of work to get through this. Between Waypoints 2 and 3 is an off-camber narrow shelf corner over a 15-foot cliff. Please note that wide, long, or tall vehicles may have problems in the spot.

3. Optional Large Boulder - Follow Trail (2 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 3: Optional Large Boulder - Follow Trail

A small play area in the middle of the trail, this large boulder makes for great photos. If you're driving multiple trails in one day, it's also a good lunch spot. Rumors are they want to close this area; please voice your concerns to the forest service about keeping this pullout open.

4. Hill Climb - Continue Straight (2.8 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 4: Hill Climb - Continue Straight

Roughly right in the middle of Holcomb Creek Trail is this 100+ foot hill climb. What makes this hill climb so worthy of mention? At the top, the trail is all dug up, with large holes, and people have lost control and rolled over. Plan your line, and you will be fine.

5. Large Middle Rock Garden (3.2 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 5: Large Middle Rock Garden

This is the second-largest rock garden on the trail and is just over 150 feet long. It does have the tallest ledges on the trail and is considered the trail's hardest location. One of these ledges is over 5 feet tall and will test your rocker panels like no other. There is a side route, but it also has roughly a 2.5 to a 3-foot ledge with uneven rocks at the bottom. It is highly recommended that you have rock sliders and lockers for this section. Please stay the trail in this area as driving off the trail is threatening to close it. The second and third photos are older pictures of when the forest was still there. The rock garden hasn't changed at all, but the forest has since it now has been burned down, as you can see in the first photo. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure we don't repeat this in the remaining forest areas.

6. Land Slide - Continue Straight (3.4 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 6: Land Slide - Continue Straight

In early 2020, a landslide at this location and caused the trail to change. Right after the event, the trail was impassable. Thanks to the help of a few people and buggies, the route was cleared. But note, there are uncomfortable spots and a large rock you have to drive over. This spot is getting easier over time.

7. 2N06X Cut-off - Continue Straight (3.75 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 7: 2N06X Cut-off - Continue Straight

Continue straight to stay on Holcomb Creek Trail, or you can cut off to the west here to go back to 3N16 – Holcomb Creek Trail. 2N06X is a hard trail that offers some fun obstacles. For more information, please visit the trail write-up at 2N06X.

8. 2N06X Trailhead/Rock Garden (3.8 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 8: 2N06X Trailhead/Rock Garden

One of the smaller rock gardens, this rock garden is right at the 2N06X trailhead. A bit of rock stacking may be required to pass this area. Rock sizes range from 12 inches to 36 inches tall.

9. East Rock Garden (4.5 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 9: East Rock Garden

Another one of the small rock gardens, this little play area is riddled with rocks 12 inches to 36 inches tall.

10. Hard Corner Rock Garden (4.9 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 10: Hard Corner Rock Garden

In the top 3 of the most challenging obstacles on the trail, this tight corner has very large rocks and water running through it. This one spot will likely cause a headache for many people. Because of the combination of a tight turn, water, and large rocks, this one obstacle is an easy place to get stuck. On top of that, it also has the possibility of incurring severe damage. If you take your time and plan your line, you should make it through.

11. Holcomb Creek Crossing (5 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 11: Holcomb Creek Crossing

A popular gathering spot, Holcomb Creek offers plenty of open areas to hang out at. If the creek is naturally damned, water will create giant pools. Do not block the flow of the creek as that is against the forest rules. Don't forget to bring your gold pans because there is gold in that water.

12. East Trailhead At 3N14 - Coxey Road (5.75 mi)

3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Waypoint 12: East Trailhead At 3N14 - Coxey Road

The trail intersects with 3N14 – Coxey Road at the Holcomb Creek Bridge. If you are on 3N14 – Coxey Road, Holcomb Creek Trail is west of the bridge.

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (38 reviews)

Kelly Down

200

Open

Visited: 11/21/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We ran this trail from east to west. Trail had lots of icy areas that added to the fun on many of the obstacles, especially the middle rock garden! Don’t drag your stock vehicles through this trail, You may make it , but you will struggle and risk damage. It’s more fun in a vehicle that is prepared for this type of trip.

Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Kelly Down

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Justin

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/26/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

5 stars because I enjoy this trail. Be cautious as there is a washout just past the west end gate keeper. It is a combination of off camber and a rise/dip that could pitch you over the side. We opted to back down and come back into the trail via Lower Larga. Otherwise a great trail and a fun day!

Paul Crawford

3150

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/16/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Another super fun trail in the Big Bear area. This one requires skid plates and least a rear locker, but you'll want a front as well. We were traveling East to West with 9 rigs, all but one on 37's. One 2-door JK on 35's with F/R lockers. The middle rock garden in the hardest, and likely harder going "up" when going East to West. Had to winch one JK that literally got stuck between a rock and a hard place in the middle garden. Surprisingly the Gladiator and the 2-door JK made it through with the least trouble. There are a few other challenging obstacles, but all doable with good spotters. Got a little rain at the end which made it interesting.

Trail Review: 3N93 - Holcomb Creek Trail - Paul Crawford

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Michael Memmel

800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 09/03/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Total blast. Rock gardens are all fun to get through. Made it in a stock 2d JRL. Well I guess I’ve got skid plates, but stock tires and no lift.

Deadhead Dave

7600

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/13/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Took the trail from east to west in my Goldie. We only did the trail to the 2N06X cut off since it was determined that Goldie would need lockers for the middle rock garden. The part of the trail we did do was very challenging but I made it through with no tugs with good spotting.