Gold Mountain

Gold Mountain, photo by Google Earth

Gold Mountain, Photo by Google Earth.

Peak Name

Gold Mountain

21H

Elevation

8235

feet

Status

active

Region

North Of Big Bear Lake

Range

San Bernardino Mountains

Nearby peaks

Location

34.2883394,-116.8389188

Description

While the 1873 gold rush to this peak that was claimed to be a “mountain of gold” and suckered Lucky Baldwin into buying it never materialized, the lake bearing his name and the peak remain. It has beautiful views of the Big Bear area.

Route 1 is an easy hike on old road. One can also hike from Baldwin Lake below on a rough 4WD road.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

900′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

3.4 miles round trip on road

Estimated time

2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

Western approach:
Drive east on I-10 to I-215.
Drive north on I-215 to SR 210.
Drive east on SR 210 to SR 330.
Drive north on SR 330 to SR 18 at the town of Running Springs.
Drive east on SR 18 to the dam at Big Bear Lake. Turn left on SR 38.
Drive on SR 38 to Fawnskin.
Continue east on SR 38 for 2.0 miles to Polique Canyon Road (Holcomb Valley turnoff). Turn left (north). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.5 miles, fork with 2N71 to the left. Go straight (north) on 2N09.
At 2.0 miles, a gated road on the right.
At 3.9 miles, junction with 3N16. Turn right (east).
At 4.3 miles, fork. This is the turnoff for Arctic Point. Keep straight on 3N16.
At 4.8 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 8.7 miles, fork with 3N69 on the right. Park here. Parking is limited.

Eastern approach:
Drive east on I-10 to I-215.
Drive north on I-215 to SR 210.
Drive east on SR 210 to SR 330.
Drive north on SR 330 to SR 18 at the town of Running Springs.
Drive east on SR 18 to the dam at Big Bear Lake. Turn left on SR 38.
Drive on SR 38 to Fawnskin.
Continue east on SR 38 for 6.5 miles to the junction of SR 38 and SR 18, north of Big Bear City. Continue east on SR 18.
Continue 3.6 miles to a fork on the left with 3N16. Turn left. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.0 mile, county dump. Keep left (west) on 3N16.
At 1.8 miles, the Doble Mine.
At 2.4 miles, Jacoby Canyon Road 3N69 to the left (south). Park here. Parking is limited.

Hiking route

From the parking area (7330′), hike south up 3N69 to the top of a ridge.
Continue on the road as it runs along the ridge (west), then turns right (northwest) and starts definitely downhill.
Leave the road and hike southeast along the rocky ridge about 500′ to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route