Gold Mountain Trail – Off-Road Guide
The Gold Mountain Trail (3N69) near Big Bear Lake, California, is a 4.4-mile challenging off-road route through the scenic mountain landscape of Southern California’s San Bernardino National Forest.
Gold Mountain Trail Details
| Trail Type | End-to-end |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Length | 4.4 miles |
| Elevation Gain/Loss | 1628 feet/-1020 feet |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 34.274385, -116.819465 |
| Location | San Bernardino National Forest |
| Best Season | April – November |
Trail Overview
The trail starts on the northwest side of Baldwin Lake from CA-18, and climbs up and over Gold Mountain. The climb up the mountain gains 1628 feet, and then drop 1020 feet to where the trail ends at the intersection with Holcomb Valley Road (3N16) which you can take back to CA-18 by heading right (northeast).
Known for its steep, rocky terrain, the trail demands skillful driving and a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. The trail features tight turns, off-camber sections, rocky waterfalls, and narrow paths, making navigation challenging yet rewarding.
A highlight of the trail is the Bone Yard rock garden, a large field of small boulders that you can drive on.
The scenic route boasts panoramic mountain views, diverse flora like Jeffrey pines, ponderosa pines, oaks, and wildflowers, especially in spring. Historically, it’s linked to the gold rush and indigenous cultures. Near Big Bear Lake, camping is available at Serrano and Holcomb Valley Campgrounds.
For information on other trails in the area, check out our list of Big Bear off-road trails.
