California Trails

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail

4.7/5 (32 reviews)

Lake Arrowhead, California (SanBernardino County)

Last Updated: 09/27/2022

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Trail Information

Highlights

A few miles north of the mountain lake community of Lake Arrowhead you will find Willow Creek Jeep Trail. This trail is amongst a network of OHV routes in the San Bernardino mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest. As you travel across this trail you begin to notice the forrest environment on the south slowly fade toward a hinting desert landscape on the north. This is most prominent as you pass 3W13 (waypoint 9) and turn to the north. Along the trail you will make two creek crossings ; willow creek and little bear creek. Both crossings are over concrete-slab fords. The east end of 3N34X (way point 27) offers the most fun of this trail for the adventurous offroader. This rutted, rocky hill was fun enough for us to run it up and down.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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G. Martin

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Willow Creek Jeep Trail is the west end of the Crab Flats OHV trail, 3N34, in the San Bernardino National Forest, north of Lake Arrowhead. When this trail is run from west to east, it leads into Dishpan Springs. Willow Creek can be combined with Cleghorn Ridge , Pilot Rock, Dishpan Springs and 3N16 for an overland mountain trek across the San Bernardino mountains with minimal pavement contact. This trail is mostly easy, with short moderate sections. Though some sections are marked as black diamond ratings, a moderate blue is more accurate for these sections and an easy green is accurate for most of the trail. The short section of 3N34 between waypoints 14 and 15 is also known as Ash Meadows Road. The 2.5 mile long section of 3N34 from waypoint 17 through 24 is also known as Squint Ranch Road. This is a great trail for beginners who are looking to try a little more than a fire road. **Permit information:** A permit (forest adventure pass) is not required to run this trail. It is only needed if you park at an area with improved facilities; toilets, picnic tables, fire rings. The Splinters Cabin Picnic Area, at the end of 3N34C (Waypoint 22), off the south end of this trail, or the Pinnacles OHV Staging Area at Waypoint 2, are examples of where you should have an adventure pass.

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 1: Trailhead

Directly off CA-173, the trailhead is well marked with signage for Willow Creek Jeep trail, 3N34 and Pinnacles OHV staging area.

2. Pinnacles OHV Staging Area (0.42 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 2: Pinnacles OHV Staging Area

Pinnacles OHV staging area includes a large parking area, tables with shade and vault toilets. Parking here requires a Forest Adventure Pass ; $5/day or $30/year.

3. 3N34X West Intersection (0.49 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 3: 3N34X West Intersection

This is the west intersection of 3N34X. Notice the "X "at the end of the route number. Left will take you on 3N34X which is the harder, northern loop of Willow Creek Jeep Trail. Right will keep you on the easier route; 3N34 (no "X"). Either way is still Willow Creek Jeep Trail. The trails meet again at waypoint 5; 3N34X east intersection. The mile markers for the following waypoints are based on going right at this point. If you choose to go left, waypoint 25 is next.

4. 3W65 Intersection (1.77 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 4: 3W65 Intersection

3W65 is limited to vehicles with a maximum width of 50". No jeeps are allowed on 3W65. Stay left to continue on 3N34.

5. 3N34X East Intersection (2.2 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 5: 3N34X East Intersection

At this point you should stay to the right to continue forward on 3N34. Left will take you on 3N34X; the harder, northern loop of Willow Creek Jeep Trail, which will land you back at waypoint 3 once you pass through waypoints 27, 26 and 25.

6. Big Turnout (2.39 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 6: Big Turnout

This is a good spot to stop for a break and enjoy the scenery. There is plenty of room for vehicles to park at this location.

7. Left Right Option (2.44 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 7: Left Right Option

Here you can take your pick; left or right. Either option keeps you on the trail and takes you to the Willow Creek crossing.

8. Willow Creek Crossing (2.51 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 8: Willow Creek Crossing

The concrete pad here makes for an easy crossing over Willow Creek.

9. 3W13 Intersection (2.63 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 9: 3W13 Intersection

Here you will have to keep left to continue on 3N34. 3W13 is limited to vehicles with a maximum width of 50".

10. Ice Mocha (2.95 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 10: Ice Mocha

When wet, this lower section of the trail collects 15" plus of icy water mixed with the earth, resembling a tasty caffeinated beverage. While there is a shallow bypass to the side of this icy slurry, it's hard to resist making a splash in the deep end.

11. Small 2x Turnout (3.24 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 11: Small 2x Turnout

This small double turnout provides enough space for a few vehicles to park on each side of the trail.

12. Rocky Hill (3.45 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 12: Rocky Hill

The rocks on this short uphill section can easily be avoided by smaller vehicles.

13. Tiny Rock Garden (4.2 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 13: Tiny Rock Garden

This point of the trail includes a cute little rock collection that might make a fun obstacle when it grows up :) .

14. 2N75 - Ash Meadows Intersection (4.31 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 14: 2N75 - Ash Meadows Intersection

Turn left toward Squint Ranch to stay on 3N34.

15. 3N38 Intersection (West) (4.45 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 15: 3N38 Intersection (West)

Turn right here to stay on 3N34. An optional detour to the left will take you on 3N38, by the locked gates at the Lake Arrowhead Airport and then loop you back around to waypoint 17.

16. 2N29Y - Stove Flats Intersection (4.82 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 16: 2N29Y - Stove Flats Intersection

Stay to the left to continue on 3N34.

17. 3N38 Intersection (East) (5.07 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 17: 3N38 Intersection (East)

Turn right to stay on 3N34. The optional detour to the left will take you on 3N38, by the locked gates at the Lake Arrowhead Airport and then loop you back to the west to waypoint 15.

18. 3N34D - Devils Hole Intersection (5.21 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 18: 3N34D - Devils Hole Intersection

Stay right to continue on 3N34. Signs mark this section of 3N34 as "most difficult", but it is no harder than the rest of the trail. A left here will take you on 3N34**D** to Devils Hole.

19. Lunch Loop Turnout (5.78 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 19: Lunch Loop Turnout

This small loop allows for parking half a dozen or more vehicles and is a good place to stop for lunch or to enjoy the scenery.

20. 2N25 - Rouse Ranch Road Intersection (6.48 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 20: 2N25 - Rouse Ranch Road Intersection

Continue straight at this point to stay on 3N34.

21. 2N27Y - Rouse Meadow Intersection (6.97 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 21: 2N27Y - Rouse Meadow Intersection

Continue straight at this point to stay on 3N34.

22. 3N34C Intersection (7.4 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 22: 3N34C Intersection

Continue straight at this point to stay on 3N34. A hard left will take you to the Splinter's hiking trailhead.

23. Little Bear Creek Crossing (7.48 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 23: Little Bear Creek Crossing

The concrete pad here provides an easy path through the little bear creek.

24. End of the Trail / 2N26Y (7.56 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 24: End of the Trail / 2N26Y

From here you can continue straight to end your day on the trail. The road ahead is 2N26Y - Hook Creek Rd. which will lead you down the east side of Lake Arrowhead on your way out. If you haven't had enough yet, a hard left here will take you into Dishpan Springs (Extreme trail).

25. 3N34X Water Tank (0.55 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 25: 3N34X Water Tank

Here you will find a water tank and a small turn out. This mile marker is based on starting from the trailhead and turning **left** at Waypoint 3 (3N34X).

26. 3N34X Lookout Tree (0.7 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 26: 3N34X Lookout Tree

This small turnout and tree make for a good place to stop and enjoy the view to the east. The mile marker here is based on starting from the trailhead and turning **left** at Waypoint 3 (3N34X).

27. 3N34X Rut Hill (0.8 mi)

3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Waypoint 27: 3N34X Rut Hill

If you like ruts and rocks mixed with your hills, you have come to the right place. This rutted, rocky hill might look intimidating, but it is no problem with the right line. The mile marker here is based on starting from the trailhead and turning **left** at Waypoint 3 (3N34X).

Trail Reviews

4.7/5 (32 reviews)

G. Martin

Official Crew

64800

Status: Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 09/27/2022

Edgar Broekema

200

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/06/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Did the trail west to east in a stock Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Trail is way harder than what it says…. Gate at the end is locked so had to backtrack a bit… 4 low is useful as it saves your brakes…

Harold Henn

100

Status: Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/15/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This was a fun trail to do however be advised that the end of the trail is not open at the east end due to a locked gate. Had to backtrack and take Rouse Ranch Road 2N25 to get back to lake arrowhead. Completed the main trail in a stock 5th gen 4Runner and only had to use 4 wheel drive on the steep rocky hill in the beginning half of the trail. Definitely harder than the easy difficulty rating the trail is rated at…at least for a beginner like me. I’d rate this a moderate to hard trail for a beginner. Just pay attention to your lines and watch out for your clearance because there’s some big rocks that can hit the underside of your vehicle if it’s not lifted.

Kevin Connors

1900

Status: Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/12/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Trail was definitely harder than a 2/3 closer to a 4 in many places. Some of the steep terrain added with the large boulders made it fun but not what I was expecting for sure

Trail Review: 3N34 - Willow Creek Jeep Trail - Kevin Connors

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Benjamin Pelletier

200

Status: Partially Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 04/15/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

There was a closed gate at the east end (just past Splinter's Cabin trailhead), so we couldn't exit after traveling west to east. We took Rouse Meadow to Rouse Ranch Road out instead. A few short portions of this trail seemed signed as black diamonds. While a few portions looked a little intimidating, we didn't have any substantial trouble with a lightly lifted 3rd gen 4Runner on A/Ts without lockers. Using the Cleghorn main trail as a reference for "2", this was somewhat harder.