Tag: Big Bear

Arrastres – Gold Fever Trail

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The Arrastres is a point of interest found along the Gold Fever Off Road Trail in Holcomb Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA
The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA

The device is the oldest tool for recovering gold from rock and employed by Mexican miners. The device consists of a low concrete wall surrounding a level flat concrete floor. In the center is a post around which a horizonal beam and pulled by a mule or donkey. Hanging from the beam using chain would be a large boulder which would pulverize gold ore, facilitating gold extraction. This is a very slow process and inefficient process and the team would circle the site for hours while the heavy boulder performed its task. A single pile of ore could take four hours to process.

The Arrastres site in Holcomb Valley is a wonderful example of early gold mining technology locate en situ near the Bellville Townsite. The site is a very short hike (150 feet ) from the one remaining building at the site and well worth the walk. At tone time, it is estimate that over 100 arrastres located within Holbcomb Valley.

Point of Interest Summary

NameArrastres – Point of Interest
LocationGold Fever Off Road Trail, Holcomb Valley
San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3014, -116.8863
Gold Fever Trail Marker8

Arrastres Trail Map

Resources

Camp Osito Road – 2N17

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Camp Osito Road is a back country 4×4 trail which connects Knickerbocker Road to Skyline Drive in Big Bear, California. The seldom travelled road is an access route to a local Girl Scout Camp.

Camp Osito Road - 2N17 - Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California
Camp Osito Road – 2N17 – Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California

Route 2N17 branches from Knickerbocker Road about two miles from either end and wanders towards the west by Camp Osito. From there, the route continues through the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains until it intersects with Skyline Drive. This is at best an intermediate trail and offers views of Big Bear Lake and the surrounding forests and manzanita groves.

Big Bear Mountains, nestled in the heart of Southern California, offer a breathtaking escape into nature’s splendor. With a majestic backdrop of towering pines and rugged terrain, this mountainous haven beckons outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. The towering peaks, including San Gorgonio Mountain, provide year-round recreational opportunities, from exhilarating ski slopes in the winter to invigorating hiking trails during warmer months.

Due to the proximity to Big Bear, it is quite common for this route to be used by hikers, bickers, quad riders and 4x4s alike, so keep an eye out for traffic.

Trail Summary

NameCamp Osito Road
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.2243, -116.9378
Elevation7,500 feet
Distance1.8 Miles
Elevation Gain352 feet

Camp Osito Road Trail Map

Camp Osito Road is part of the South Shore Trail Network located in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Big Bear, California.



Camp Osito Road - 2N17 - Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California

Camp Osito Road – 2N17

Camp Osito Road is a back country 4x4 trail which connects Knickerbocker Road to Skyline Drive in Big Bear, California. The seldom travelled road is…
Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.

Clarks Grade 1N54

Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive. Clarks Grade 1N54 is a steep and scenic descent from the top…
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08

Knickerbocker Road - 2N08 is a steep and beautiful drive from near the town of Big Bear, California to Skyline Drive. The route is a…
Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California

Skyline Drive 2N10

Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California Skyline Drive 2N10 is the unofficial name for USFS Road 2N10 that begins just…

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08

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Knickerbocker Road – 2N08 is a steep and beautiful drive from near the town of Big Bear, California to Skyline Drive. The route is a popular destination and common for hikers, bikes and vehicles alike. The route winds up the mountain from the village in Big Bear up to the top of the mountain offering some spectacular vistas and the valley below.

Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08 is accessed from Highway 18 in Big Bear, about two blocks east of the village. The trail head is located 3/4 of a mile from the highway off of Knickerbocker Road. The trail begins with a tight left turn and steeply gains alititude. from the valley floor on its journey up to Skyline Drive.

Intersection with 2n17 about two miles from either end of Knickerbocker Road.
Intersection with 2n17 about two miles from either end of Knickerbocker Road.

Along the route, you journey deep into a lush pine forest with a few seasonal streams to nourish the lush green plant life. Manzanita Bushes fill the landscape, along with a variety of seasonal wild flowers as you continue to climb to the ridge of the mountain. Don’t forget to admire the views of Big Bear lake as you make the journey.

Once the trail terminates at the Grand View Vista at Skyline drive, there is a very small parking area to relax, picnic and enjoy the alpine view of Barton Flats and valley below. From here, you can return as you came, or pick any of several trails from the South Shore Trail Network including Skyline Drive,

Knickerbocker Road Trail Summary

NameKnickerbocker Road – 2N08
LocationBig Bear, San Bernardino County, California
Latitude, Longitude34.2162, -116.9192
Length4 Miles
Elevation Gain890 feet

Trail Map

Knickenbocker Road is part of the South Shore Trail Network.



Camp Osito Road - 2N17 - Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California

Camp Osito Road – 2N17

Camp Osito Road is a back country 4x4 trail which connects Knickerbocker Road to Skyline Drive in Big Bear, California. The seldom travelled road is…
Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.

Clarks Grade 1N54

Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive. Clarks Grade 1N54 is a steep and scenic descent from the top…
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08

Knickerbocker Road - 2N08 is a steep and beautiful drive from near the town of Big Bear, California to Skyline Drive. The route is a…
Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California

Skyline Drive 2N10

Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California Skyline Drive 2N10 is the unofficial name for USFS Road 2N10 that begins just…

Wilbur’s Grave

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Charles Wilbur’s Grave is a point of interest located in Holcomb Valley near the Holcomb Valley Campground, San Bernardino, California.

Charles Wilbur's Grave located in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California
Charles Wilbur’s Grave located in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California

In 1859, prospecting in Holcomb valley lead to the discovery of gold and one of the largest deposits in southern California. Charles Wilbur was a placer gold miner in Holcomb Valley in the who moved into the area in the 1880’s. Trusted and liked by his fellow miners, he was elected to establish boundaries so that the gold claims could be accurately established in the valley. Later, Wilbur was elected to the first tax assessor in San Bernardino County.

Prior to his death, he let it be known that he wanted to be buried next to his favorite location in the San Bernardino Mountains. Located across the road from Wilbur’s pond is the marker for Wilbur’s grave. Wilburs pond is a settling pond for gold miners and may have been the site of several placer claims. It should be noted that he is buried in the area and not at the specific location of the marker. The location is a well marked popular destination and local landmark to back-road explorers, hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and geocachers alike.

Wilbur’s Grave Summary

NameWilbur’s Grave
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino, California
Latitude, Longitude34.3062, -116.9003

Point of Interest Map

Wilbur’s grave is located along the 3N07 just off the Holcomb Valley Road, 3N16. The Grave is located near Wilburs pond, which is seasonal.

References

Belleville California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

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The cabin at the Belleville California townsite is not original but moved to the location to represent the style of the structures of the town.
The cabin at the Belleville California townsite is not original but moved to the location to represent the style of the structures of the town.


Belleville is a historic community located in the Holcomb Valley region of San Bernardino County, California. The area’s history dates back to the mid-19th century when it played a significant role in the California Gold Rush.

Holcomb Valley, where Belleville is situated, was discovered to be rich in gold deposits in 1860. The news quickly spread, and a gold rush ensued as prospectors from all over flocked to the area in search of their fortunes. The population of the valley boomed, and various mining camps and settlements sprang up, including Belleville.

Belleville was founded in 1860 and named after James V. Belleville, one of the early prospectors in the area. The town rapidly grew and became a central hub for the Holcomb Valley mining district. It served as a supply center for nearby mining operations, providing essential goods and services to miners and their families.

The town boasted several businesses, including general stores, saloons, hotels, and blacksmith shops. It also had a post office, which opened in 1863. Belleville’s population reached its peak during the 1860s, with estimates ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand residents.

The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA
The remains of an Arrastres located in Belleville, San Bernardino, CA

Mining was the primary economic activity in Belleville and the surrounding Holcomb Valley. Miners used various methods to extract gold from the area, including placer mining and hydraulic mining. Placer mining involved using pans, rockers, and sluices to separate gold from the gravel and sand of the valley floor. Hydraulic mining utilized high-pressure water jets to wash away hillsides and expose gold-bearing gravels.

However, the gold production in Holcomb Valley began to decline in the late 1860s, and by the 1870s, many miners had moved on to other gold fields. As the gold rush subsided, so did the population of Belleville. The town gradually declined, and most of its buildings were dismantled or moved to other locations.

Today, little remains of Belleville and the once-thriving mining operations of Holcomb Valley. Some remnants of mining structures, such as mine shafts and tunnels, can still be found in the area. The site of Belleville itself is marked by a historical marker, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich mining heritage.

Belleville Historic Monument
Belleville Historic Monument

Belleville Town Summary

NameBelleville
LocationHolcomb Valley, San Bernardino, CA
Latitude, Longitude34.3012, -116.8857
Elevation7,355 Feet
GNIS
Population1,500
Gold Fever Trail Marker7

Belleville Trail Map

References