3N07A - The Squeeze

Big Bear Lake, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 07/09/2018

5/5 (3 reviews)

Information

Nearby Trails

Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Difficulty:	3-5 (EASY - MODERATE)
Length:	1.3 miles
Highest Elevation:	7600 feet
Duration:	About 1 hour
Shape of Trail:	Connector
Best Direction to Travel:	West
Nearest Town:	Big Bear Lake
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Big Bear Lake
Official Road Name:	3N07A
Management Agency:	San Bernardino National Forest
District:	Mountaintop Ranger District

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Highlights

A short but exciting off-road trail, 3N07A is a great little trail that offers a unique obstacle at the Coyote Crag rock formation in Holcomb Valley near Big Bear Lake, California. If you have a good spotter, or your vehicle is rather narrow, you will likely squeeze between the boulders from which this trail got it name with no problems, but if you get off the line just barely, well you might lose a mirror or worse, add some character the body of your vehicle. Needless to say, when passing through Holcomb Valley or if you are out exploring 3N16 – Holcomb Valley Road, make sure you swing through and enjoy the natural beauty of this amazing, moderate difficulty trail.

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Route Information

Technical Rating: (3-5)
(EASY - MODERATE)

Rutted and/or rocky road. No shelves. Rocks up to 12" and water crossings up to 12" with possible currents. Passable mud. Moderate grades to 15 degrees. 6" holes. Side hill to 20 degrees. 4WD required. No width problems.

Description

A short overland / rock crawling route, The Squeeze is a popular night run or cut through when leaving 3N10 - John Bull. The trail itself has several large rocks, a couple drop-offs, and many twists and turns, but the spot that gets talked about this most on this trail is a very narrow section that is between two very large rocks.

Seasonal Information

Spring:	Expect warm days and cold nights
Summer:	Warm to hot days and with some chilly nights
Fall:	The area usually gets cooler with some cold nights. Snow might start falling.
Winter:	It is common for snow on the trail.

Waypoints

1. East Trailhead of 3N07A

3N07A trailhead splits off to the southwest from 3N32 - Union Flat. The trailhead is hard to see and looks almost like a narrow path to a dispersed campsite.

2. The Squeeze (0.5 mi)

A tight little spot next to Coyote Crag, The Squeeze will make you second guess what you are doing as you inch through it. At only six and half feet wide, your vehicle will be sandwiched in between two large rock formations that are aching to do some damage to your rig. For the harder line and greater thrills, travel east to west. When traveling this direction, you will have an unexpected slight tilt towards the drivers side that gets the heart pumping. When this happens most drivers over compensate and drive right into the passenger side rock.

3. Articulation Spot (0.8 mi)

This is the down hill articulation spot along the trail. It can make for very good action shots.

4. West End of Trail 3N07A (1.3 mi)

Trail drops out on 3N07 by a spot with great view of the hanging tree (3rd Photo) on The Gold Fever Trail. To return to 3N16 – Holcomb Valley Road, head west and follow the trail around the meadow.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 34.314178, -116.873919

Starting Point: Big Bear Discovery Center

From Holcomb Valley in Big Bear, CA. Take 3N32 - Union Flat from 3N16 – Holcomb Valley Road North roughly 1.1 Miles. The trail will be on the left side, the southerly trailhead.

Camping

The 3N07A trail network is probably the best dispersed camping in the big bear area. The area sees little traffic making it a great place to get away from the traffic and enjoy nature. Along the route are dozens of small pullouts that are perfect for 1 vehicle dispersed camping and at both ends and almost in the dead middle of the trail are larger areas that could easily support 6+ vehicles. You are allowed to dispersed camp along the trail but are not allowed to have any type of wood fires. Camp stoves can also be outlawed during high fire danger times of the year so make sure you check with forest service prior to camping along the trail. The San Bernardino National Forest is a nearby oasis for millions of Southern Californians who want to escape for the weekend and go camping. The higher elevations of the forest mean that the summertime temperatures are cooler than the valleys below. And as an added bonus most campgrounds have shaded sites and some are near streams or lakes. Many campgrounds are adjacent to beautiful natural areas and you can find solitude on quiet wilderness trails. Some campgrounds are reserved campsites, and on weekends or holidays we definitely recommend making a reservation. To do this, visitors can go online to www.recreation.gov or call toll-free 1-877-444-6777. Most campgrounds can accommodate both tent campers and RV's. All campgrounds have picnic tables and restroom facilities, and some even have showers and other amenities. Most campsites accommodate up to 6 people and 2 tents. There may be an additional cost for more than one vehicle. The Forest Service describes camping as either "developed" (usually accessible by road and including facilities like picnic tables, restrooms and fire-rings) or "undeveloped/dispersed" (remote areas accessible only by dirt roads or trails, no facilities). During winter months some locations may be inaccessible due to snow or closed, check with the local Ranger Station for updated conditions. More info can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/sbnf/recreation/camping-cabins

Writer Information

Josh Noesser

Mapping Crew - California

Community

Questions & Answers (1)

Q: How is the road north of Coyote Crag? Is it easier than south of the crag (avoiding the Squeeze)?

–Pam W (06/27/2018)

A: Thank you, Josh, for the quick reply and for the beta on the north side! I'm trying to get to the Crag. Last time, I came from the south. All was good in my stock Tacoma 4X4, but I didn't trust myself to get through the squeeze. I'll try coming in from the north. New to this site. Very helpful!

–Pam W (06/28/2018)

A: The squeeze is right at the rock formations. The easiest way in is the north side.

–Josh Noesser (06/27/2018)

Trail Reviews (5)

Author:	Josh Noesser Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/02/2018
Rating:

Ran the trail as an option to the long lines on John Bull... Great little trail #FalkenTires

Author:	Marc Nitz Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/23/2018
Rating:

What a blast! I really wanted to try this trail out in the past, but was afraid of sustaining some body damage. Well, the Squeeze is actually not too bad. I made it with inches to spare in my 4Runner and one of my friends made it in a full-size K5 Blazer. He ended nicking his rear bumper and a tad bit of his body, near the right rear tail light. We think he could have made it without touching. Next time!

Author:	Carl Sandvik
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/23/2018
Rating:

We were not sure if my K5 could make it. It looked wide enough, but with a little spotting, rubbing on the driver mirror (pulled in) and rubbing the back bumper after dropping off the rock on passenger side (west side of trail) all was good. I could have missed it if I had turned to passenger... next time. Great trail and a beautiful day.