Big Bear Lake Event

‘Old Miners’ relive Golden Days
in Big Bear Lake

Gold in Holcomb Valley!

This magic call was just as compelling in 1860 as it had been twelve years before when it drew hordes of gold-seekers to the Mother Lode country of Northern California.

Today, almost 100 years later, that cry is echoed in the annual celebration held in big Bear Valley the first full week end in August to commemorate the days when Bear Valley and nearby Holcomb Valley to the immediate north were the center of a brawling civilization that came for gold.

The celebration of Old Miners Days in Bear Valley is not only a four-day festival of fun but is also in the nature of a memorial to the men and women who made history here and left their mark on the land. In old time costumes, beards and bonnets today’s generation re-live the kind of fun the real old miners used to enjoy during their free hours. Such amusements as a donkey-flapjack race, square dancing, whiskerino contests, and kangaroo court are just a few of the events which add to the enjoyment of the celebration.

In 1959 the event will get underway on Thursday, August 6th, with the start of the sixth annual burro derby at the old Sheriff’s Station in Apple Valley. The three-day race travels 42 miles, through Apple Valley, to an overnight stop in Lucerne Valley, then up the Johnson and Cushenberry Grades to enter Bear Valley at its easternmost end. After a second overnight stop in Big Bear City, men and beasts start the final lap of the grueling race, to hurry to the finish line in front of the Elks Club in Big Bear Lake, on Saturday, August 8.

The burro derby is particularly amusing because it is not merely a contest of speed between animals, but depends on the ability of each human wrangler to lead his burro entry regardless of the willingness of the animal. Each day the battle begins anew when wranglers draw different burros for that day’s course.

The race has been widely publicized by radio, television and films and each year draws greater crowds of spectators who enjoy the amusing battle of wits and strength between wranglers and burros. Winners are judged on the basis of elapsed time, with daily prizes at the conclusion of the event.

The Clementine Dance, the big costume ball of the year, will be held in Big Bear Lake on Saturday night, August 8th, this year, after a day of amusing contests and events. Prizes are awarded for winning costumes in many categories, although wearing of costume is not obligatory.

The four-day celebration is climaxed on Sunday by the big “Western Heritage” parade at noon, which is followed by a junior rodeo and gymkhana at Meadow Park.

In celebrating as well as in daily living, today’s generations follow more sedately in the footsteps of the pioneers who made history here in the early days. The wild mining activity that flourished here during Civil War days has left behind tales of lawlessness and murder equaling the worst of that written in the Gold Rush of 1849.

More Old Miner's Days, Big Bear Lake History

Big Bear Lake History

Reprinted from an old magazine article.

After you have caught your limit of fish and taken advantage of the many recreational facilities in the immense are of Big Bear Valley, take a trip into the past and visit the nearby mining camps which reached their heyday more than 100 years ago.


There are good graded roads for passenger cars into these back country areas. From these graded toads dirt trails go to even more remote sites which can, however only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles.

A spectacular view of Big bear Lake and the surrounding area can be seen from the newly developed connection between the Delamar Mountain Road which leaves Fawnskin and the Holcomb Valley Road. This connection (usually called the Blue Quartz Road) is easily negotiated by passenger cars, but not recommended for large campers or trailers.

One of the most interesting passenger car junkets is through Holcomb Valley just north of Big Bear. The trip is 12 miles and takes approximately three hours. In their informative brochure, rangers of the San Bernardino National Forest call this self-guided tour the “Gold Fever Trail.”

And gold fever it was that changed this small, peaceful valley from a scheduled home fo bear and deer into one of the most boisterous and rip-roaring mining camp of the Old West. More than 50 murders were committed during its short span of 20 years.

It all started in 1860 when William ”Billy” Holcomb shot a grizzly in Bear Valley and then trailed the wounded animal over the mountain and into the valley which today bears his name. While resting he picked up a piece of quartz. It was laced with gold!

Within a few weeks there wasn’t a pack animal left in San Bernardino, the jumping-off place for the trail up the Santa Ana riverbed to Holcomb Valley. And within two years there were an estimated 1500 prospectors jammed into the small valley.

A town soon grew on a rich flat near Holcomb’s original discovery site. In addition to the many saloons, there was one store, two butcher shops, two laundries, one bakery, three carpenter shops, two blacksmiths, one stamp mill and one sawmill.

As in all early-day mining camps, the saloon was not just for drinking. It was the social hall, courthouse, town meeting hall and a place to get the latest information on the latest strike, murder or robbery.

Mrs. Jed Van Dusen, wife of the blacksmith, made a flag from her petticoats for the town’s first Fourth of July so the sentimental miners named the new town Belleville in honor of her pretty daughter, Belle.

In the presidential election of 1860, Belleville cast 307 votes for Abraham Lincoln and missed by only two votes taking the county seat away from San Bernardino.

Belleville’s sister city was Clapboard Town whose great claim to fame is the Tree of the Living Cross which commemorated the fatal duel of two miners named Charlie the Chink and Greek George.

When Charlie accused Greek George of jumping his claim there was no peaceful way of settling the dispute. A coin was flipped to see who would choose the type of weapons, Charlie won and picked the weapon of his ancestors- knives. When the duel was over both men lay dead at the foot of a tree. A cross was cut into the tree.

Unfortunately, the tree and the site of Clapboard Town are now within a restricted area and not open to the public.

Another notable tree, however, is still standing. Hangmen’s Tree is a symbol of miner’s justice for it was from this stately juniper the citizens hanged many a murderer after a hasty trial. When a victim of a hanging was cut down the branch from which he hung was chopped off. So by counting the cuttings today you can tally the number of hangings.

These and many other stories and directions to the various historic sites are presented in the Forestry Services “Gold Fever Trail” guidebook. Before taking the trip, stop by the Big Bear Ranger Station near Fawnskin and pick up the guidebook and the free map of the San Bernardino National Forest Area.

Then head for Holcomb Valley and a trip into the past when men’s lives- although sometimes short -were packed with adventure in their search for gold.

Additional Resources:

More Big Bear Lake History

About Big Bear CA

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Big Bear Lake Storm 2010

In January 2010, Big bear Lake experienced the worst snow storm since 1969. The pacific storm dumped 57 inches of snow, stretching local and county resources. Here's a quick video showing what the storm was like.

Big Bear Lake Storm Photos

Storm Photos of Big Bear Lake 2010

More information about Big Bear Lake

Big Bear CA Blogs

Big Bear Lake

We wanted to put together a quick video of the snow conditions in Big Bear Lake. We recieved the most snow in a storm since 1969, a total of 57 inches! So much for living in Southern California.

The main roads are passable, but caution is still necessary. The back roads are another story. Many are still either inundated with snow or have only one lane open.

Snowboarding and Skiing are the best in 40 years. Bear Mountain and Snow Summit have a base of snow up to 84 inches. It looks like they won't have to make snow for the rest of the season.

Additional Resources:

Big Bear Lake- Storm Preparedness List

Road Conditions

Local Information about Big Bear CA

Big Bear Lake

Caltrans has worked feverously to get all roads leading into Big Bear Lake CA open. Chain requirements are still in effect. All non-4x4 vehicles must have chains on. If you are coming to the San Bernardino Mountains, be prepared lines of traffic. The roads have been cleared, but they are still snowy.

Motorists need to carry extra warm clothing, food and water. Conditions in the mountains are continually changing. This morning we had an avalanche that temporarily closed HWY 18.