3N17 - White Mountain

Big Bear Lake, California (San Bernardino County)

Last Updated: 04/05/2020

4.6 / 5 ( 11 reviews )

Information

Nearby Trails

Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Length:	8.5 miles
Highest Elevation:	8500 feet
Duration:	About 4 hours
Shape of Trail:	Connector
Best Direction to Travel:	East
Nearest Town:	Big Bear Lake
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Big Bear Lake
Official Road Name:	3N17
Management Agency:	San Bernardino National Forest
District:	Mountaintop Ranger District

Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

White Mountain off-road trail offers some of the best views in the San Bernardino Mountain Range. Close to Big Bear, it is a great trail for the type of 4x4 / wheeler that likes steep hill climbs offering alternate routes from moderate to extreme. This is also a good trail to run for the people who are looking for a enjoyable drive along the northern spine of the mountain range. The views along this trail are unique as for you can see Johnson Valley, Lucerne Valley, Cougar Buttes, Apple Valley, Barstow, Calico, and at night see lights of Las Vegas.

Video

Weather

7 day forecast for 3N17 - White Mountain

Route Information

Technical Rating:
( MODERATE - SEVERE )

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (West End) (0 mi)

This is the west most trailhead. The trail goes east from this point. There are signs saying White Mountain, thus the trail is rather easy to find.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 34.360160, -117.057160

Starting Point: Fawnskin, CA

The trailhead is up on the north side of Big Bear Lake, CA. Make your way to Fawnskin Fire Station and take 3N14 – Coxey Road all the way back roughly 12 miles to where it splits with 4N16 - Grapevine Canyon . Take 4N16 - Grapevine Canyon to the east / right. The trail will be on the right at waypoint 7 on 4N16 - Grapevine Canyon which is not far down on the trail.

Camping

Dispersed

Trail Reviews (13)

Author:	George Karpouzis
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/26/2020

Excellent backcountry trail in SoCal. I’d say the best overlandibg trail the area has to offer. It’s long enough for a half day adventure as it’s 10 miles of forest road to the trail head and a few miles to exit. A great step up trail for those looking to take their off roading to the next level. The main trail isn’t very difficult but requires 4 low and a small lift with solid off road tires. The offchutes (3 of them) require lockers.

Author:	Francisco Urrea
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/06/2020
Rating:

Did this trail as part of an Overlanding Trail in a 2019 Jeep Sahara with 33 BF KO2 and A 1.5 Inch lift. I was out there by myself so it was a hell of a workout to climb the hills and pick my lines. I was able to do it well with the sway bar disconnected and it was a blast. Saw no one on this trail at all and found a really nice camping spot. I will say this! The trail itself is nice but if you want to just get a camping spot with the view of the desert then enter from the end of the trail as the trail can be done with an SUV for the first mile from this direction. All the best!

Author:	Allan
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	05/09/2020

We jumped on to 3N17 from 3N56 only experiencing the tail end of the trail before getting back on 3N16 Holcomb Valley. That last technical climb we took the trail on the left. A spotter would be good on this section. The portion before this was pretty rocky. The view was amazing.

Author:	Josh Noesser Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	04/05/2020
Rating:

Trail was a little wet, put it in 4wd in spots to be safe. I was up there looking for camping spots.

Author:	robert
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	10/26/2019
Rating:

Did this in a 98 cherokee with 35’s long armed on a 6.5” lift and lockers. Didn’t have any issues, but had to ditch my buddies Tacoma at the trailhead and come back for it after. We also had 3 JK’s, a CJ7, and a 4 runner with us. I was the only one to attempt suicide hill, and made it, but probably because everything was dry and there was no loose soil or rocks. Fun trail, will definitely do it again!

Author:	Steve Decker
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	10/06/2019
Rating:

Trail was open and perfect weather! We had 7 vehicles 4 JK, 1 JL, 1 ZJ, and a 4 Runner. Everyone made it through with now issues. Two of us went up suicide hill, it was a bit loose but we made it up.

Author:	Josh Noesser Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/18/2019
Rating:

Quick run out for fathers day. Ran into some amazing people there out overlanding. Such a cool trail.

Author:	denny
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	11/24/2018
Rating:

I took my STOCK 2018 wrangler unlimited base RENTAL( LOL I know) to this trail coming down from big bear, it was my mistake because I thought I was on 3n14( original plan) for a while. We were so lucky we made it down in one piece, without damage. Downhill on 3N17 is way easier than uphill. I do not recommend inexperienced drivers and this trail should not be travel on your own. Great scenery, defiantly will comeback with prepared rig.

Author:	David Beas
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	09/29/2018
Rating:

Had a challenging and fun time on this trail. This was my third time off-road and made it through with a friend spotting some of the more difficult areas. I am in a 18' GC Trailhawk and was with an 18' Tacoma off-road and 16 Wrangler 2-door. The Wrangler had a pretty easy time for most of the trail. The Tacoma and I had to pick our lines a but more delicately.

Author:	emmi
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/15/2018
Rating:

Very nice and challenging trail. Good for intermediate drivers. Lots of rocks so keep an eye out or you might accidentally hit your sidewall or axle. Managed to make it up Suicide Hill in my stock TJ w/ 31s but I probably wont do that again. Dont forget to stop by the summit to take in the views.

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

This trail provides the most epic views of Lucerne Valley on a clear day. I love this trail! We traveled from west to east this time but I've done it two other times going from west to east.

Author:	Josh Noesser Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	09/14/2017
Rating:

Top 5 Hard Trails in Big Bear Holcomb Valley Area

Author:	Josh Noesser Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	09/02/2017
Rating:

Another great trip on a great trail. Even did Suicide hill this time...

Questions & Answers (4)

Q: Hello I am planning trip out to this trail this weekend but I have a question. Are all the hard parts optional? This will be my first out there in Land Rover LR3 and I want to make sure I can bypass an obstical if it is too much for my experience. Thank you in advance.

–Fernando cortes (10/08/2019)

–Josh Noesser (10/08/2019)

Q: If I follow your GPX exact, will I be ascending or descending Suicide hill?

–White JK (05/10/2019)

–Josh Noesser (05/10/2019)

Q: Wondering if my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk could make it... There's an easier bypass of Suicide Hill, right? The guy who wrote a review below made it seem impassable for me... Thanks!

–Frank Marino (08/08/2018)

–David Beas (09/30/2018)

–David Beas (09/29/2018)

–Josh Noesser (08/09/2018)

Q: How is the trail between 6, and 7? Is it easy enough to run starting at 7 and going to 6?

–Aaron (07/20/2017)

–Josh Noesser (07/20/2017)

Writer Information

Josh Noesser

Mapping Crew - California

Joshua Noesser grew up in Southern California but has lived in different parts of the country during his young adult life. Josh was first turned to four wheeling when he road with one of his friends dad up Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Valley at age14. After nearly 3 different roll overs later and a half dozen intense waterfalls, Josh was hooked. At 16 he purchased his first Jeep a CJ 7 and by 17 was putting his first locker in it. Currently, Josh is the owner and CEO of Nybble, an IT Solutions Company based in Orange County, California. Nybble isn't your normal IT company where everyone stays in and plays video games. Nybble's average company trip is out on the trails since a good amount of his staff enjoy wheeling too. As Josh likes to say, he offers the only IT Company with the ability to provide services in extreme locations. "If you want a server at the top of The Hammers, we will take care of that for you." Today you can find Josh out on the trail behind the wheel in one of his three different off-road vehicles. See the vehicles below for more information. If you ever run into Josh, please say high, he is a very friendly person and is always happy to have a new person join the group.

My Trails Offroad