Gold Mountain
Usa, north-america
3.5 km
3,259 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk about Gold Mountain! This bad boy sits high up in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, clocking in at 8,159ft.
Gold Mountain Road (aka 3N69) is a rough and tumble gravel route to the summit, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. This is a high-altitude road in the San Bernardino National Forest, so snow is definitely a factor in winter, possibly closing it completely. Even a little rain can make things extra dicey, with loose gravel ready to throw you for a loop. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle and probably a spotter to navigate this trail. We're talking grippy tires and maybe a lift.
Starting from CA-18, it's a 3.5km climb to the top, gaining 433 meters in elevation — averaging a steep 12.37% grade. There's even a bypass, 3N69A, if you're feeling extra adventurous!
But the views? Totally worth it! You'll be rewarded with incredible 360-degree panoramas of the desert to the north, the Big Bear valley to the south, and all those majestic peaks surrounding the valley. Seriously epic stuff! Just make sure you and your vehicle are prepped and ready for a challenge.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,259 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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