Gold Mountain

This was the second peak of a 3 Hundred Peaks Section day in Big Bear. I was driving from Silver Peak via the 18 and exited off Holcomb Valley and drove to the end where it turned into a dirt road (3N16). I drove a very slow 1.4 miles to the trailhead. 2WD can make it but only if you drive verrry slooowly (1.4 miles took me 25 minutes). I parked by a cool rock outcropping near the trailhead. The hike is a constant up with minimal places to catch your breath. The trail appears to be an old forest or 4x4 road. At some point the road meets up with another active 4x4 road - I saw 2 jeeps go by (and one unlucky 4 Runner whose axle broke!) Great views at the top of the entire Big Bear area. While there was manufactured snow on Snow Summit and some real stuff on San Gorgonio, it is an EXTREMELY dry year as evidenced by the lack of powder and the decreased water level of the lake. I hope the winter brings some much needed precipitation. Saw 3 different benchmarks at the top.