Tag: California

California, located on the west coast of the United States, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and significant economic influence. From the sun-kissed beaches of Southern California to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, the state offers a range of natural beauty. The state is home to iconic cities like Los Angeles, known for Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and San Francisco, famous for its tech innovation and the Golden Gate Bridge. The state’s economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by sectors such as technology, agriculture, entertainment, and tourism. With its rich cultural diversity and pioneering spirit, California continues to be a land of opportunity and innovation.

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 the Knickerbocker trail 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

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

Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail)

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Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail) written by Robert P. Palazzo
Railroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail) written by Robert P. Palazzo

Railroads of Death Valley have played an important part in the history of Death Valley National Park. The Pacific Coast Borax Company first used the Death Valley Railroad to transport its ore to market and then to transport Death Valley tourists to its Furnace Creek Resort. “Death Valley Scotty’s” leap to national fame came as a direct result of his chartering a private train to break the Los Angeles to Chicago speed record. The Carson & Colorado Railroad on the west and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad on the east provided support to Death Valley’s mining activity, its associated boomtowns, and early tourism.

About the Author

Robert P. Palazzo, Death Valley scholar and lifetime member of the area’s natural history association, evokes here in vintage imagery a stark, barren, desolate wasteland that gradually became one of the West’s most iconic destinations. Tapping his extensive private collection of rare photographs, Palazzo shows Death Valley’s geological features, notable personalities, industries, mysteries, and tourism. Though the area has changed little over the last 150 years, the harsh conditions have erased much of the evidence of human occupation. That rare visual record is preserved in these pages.

Book Summary

TitleRailroads of Death Valley (Images of Rail)
AuthorRobert P. Palazzo
PublisherArcadia Publishing
Pages128 Pages