The quietest place that we have ever camped, so far. This was the main takeaway when we got home from our trip to the Pinnacles. Maybe it was due to Covid-19 and less people out in the wilderness, but in the middle of the night there was nothing that could be heard – not even the wind or small animals scurring about. Yes, there were other people out there with us camping and it still did not make a difference, it was quiet and blissful.
The Pinnacles is located at a popular climbing area located in the Holcomb Valley near Big Bear, California. The area is rich in history as it was the epicenter of the Southern California gold rush back in the mid-1800s. Bill Holcomb came to this area in 1859 on a rumor of a small gold find in a valley in the mountains and the rest became history. At the peak of the gold rush in the Holcomb Valley there were as many as 10,000 people living in the area. Can you imagine that!
My first impression of the Pinnacles and the Holcomb Valley was that it was like a slice of a tranquil Sierra Nevada Mountains meadow. The meadow is expansive like the meadows in the Yosemite Valley floor without the towering granite walls. I was impressed and incredibly excited to find this gem of an area that was only two hours from home.
- Getting there
- Campsites
- Items to bring – No Bathrooms and No Water
- Hikes & Things to Do
Getting There
The best way to get to the Pinnacles in Holcomb Valley near Big Bear Lake, California is to put Big Bear into your gps. You could put Holcomb Valley campground into your gps too, but depending on the time of year it may take you to a road that is closed for that particular season.
When we went up to the Pinnacles, the main road (Van Dusen Canyon Rd) was closed for the winter and we had to scramble to find another way. Thankfully I thought to look up the San Bernardino National Forest website for Holcomb Valley campground and it gave clear directions to get to the area during every season. Below are the three main ways to get into Holcomb Valley and the Pinnacles area.
- Van Dusen Canyon Road: Open only during the spring and summer. This is a dirt road that is a fairly easy drive, but can have areas that have ruts from winter storms.
- Polique Canyon Road: Open during the winter. A 2wd should be fine on this road and it is fairly wide. I would just be careful if there was any rain in the forecast as ruts could become an issue.
- Holcomb Valley Road (Doble area – Far east area of Big Bear): I haven’t tried out this road and when we went in the winter this road had some massive puddles that we didn’t want to risk getting stuck in.
Once you have found your way into the Holcomb Valley, you will need to find the turn where Holcomb Valley Road (3N16) and 3N07 intersect. Once you make the turn onto 3N07, make your way on this road for a little under 2 miles to the Pinnacles. Make sure to stay on 3N07 when it veers right and do not take the left onto 3N43.
Take a look at these directions from the San Bernardino National Forest website to get to the Holcomb Valley Campground, San Bernardino Holcomb Valley directions. These will help you get to the Pinnacles turn where 3N16 and 3N07 intersect.
Campsites
Camping at the Pinnalces is essentially a large open area where you can pitch a tent or park your van to camp overnight. Given that this is not a developed campsite with no water and bathrooms, it is essential dispersed camping in the forest. Do not deter yourself from camping here due to having no facilities, as this means less people and less noise. Make sure to check out the next section on items to bring to make up for no facilities.
When we were getting ready to go to the Pinnacles we read that you had to walk in to the camp area, so we went light and made sure we could carry everything on our backs. When we showed up this was not the case, you can put a tent in the parking area or you can walk a few minutes out in the forest to get more privacy. We opted for privacy and took a few minute walk up the ravine to a beautiful spot far enough from people, but close enough to the car if we needed something.
An alternative to camping at the Pinnacles parking areas is to find a spot on 3N07 to pull off to camp or you can explore the other roads in the area for a more secluded camping spot.
What to bring – No Bathroom Facilities or Water
No bathroom and no water, you will need to bring a few extra supplies. My wife wasn’t too excited about no bathroom facilities, but after her first “6 inch deep hole” experience she said it was better than a heavily used weekend vault toilet. For your bathroom, make sure you bring the following:
- Shovel or trowel
- Toilet paper and/or baby wipes
- Extra plastic bag if you pack it out
For more information on how best to use the great outdoors for your relief, take a look at this article on how to dig a cathole.
So how about water? During the spring, there are few streams that run through Holcomb Valley, but I would not count on them. We always bring a 5 day water supply even if we are out for a night, you never know. It is always best to bring at least a gallon of water per person per day.
Hikes & Things To Do
I found this campsite during the 2020 Covid-19 crisis as all of the national parks and state parks were shut down. After a few hours of research, I was looking at the Holcomb Valley area and saw a little camp icon on my GAIA map for the Pinnacles and then found an article on the area. There is a lot to do in this area which includes hiking, climbing, gold prospecting, slacklining, mountain biking, and any other outdoor activity.
We didn’t do a designated hike when we camped at the Pinnacles, but we ended up taking the trail to the Pinnacles and Coyote Crag climbing area. Using the GAIA map, we tracked our way through the area and ended up on 3N07A for a nice leisurely 4 mile hike. It was beautiful and we were able to jump off the trail to get a couple great views. Always be careful when getting off trail!
For the best hikes in the area, check out All Trails for the Fawnskin area here. A few of the top hikes for the area are:
- Gold Fever Trail – This is more a car tour, but has really great history of the area. More info here.
- Pinnacles & Coyote Crag – Climbing info here
- Bertha Peak
- Butler Peak Trail
Be aware that roads in the area might be a little tough to get to the trails, but they are definitely worth the trip.
Conclusion
The Pinnacles is a gem. We live in Orange County and to be able to find a beautiful place like this only two hours away is amazing. For a weekend getaway, we usually drive to Kern River or up the 395, so this is a real treat. If you prepare correctly for the weekend, you will not have any reason to go to a local developed campsite after finding this area. I would be cautious and check the weather before you go as the roads could get a bit treacherous, but bring a buddy with another car if you ever get in trouble. This place is great for a weekend escape and hope it keeps its charm as it grows in popularity.
I hope you enjoy your stay at the Pinnacles!
