The Holcomb Valley Adventure

Explore a remote picturesque valley where a thriving town disappeared after the gold ran out. What's left? Tall forests, rare plants, and inspiring views, And maybe some gold.

Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills

Southern California's biggest strike! It's a fact. More gold per square mile was mined out of Holcomb Valley than anywhere else in Southern California. William F. Holcomb, "Bill" was surviving on "boot soup" in the winter of 1859 when neighboring prospectors hired him to hunt bear for their small group at Starvation Flats (today known as Big Bear Valley). While the marksman was out looking for his quarry, a pretty valley lured him north. Bill's detour paid off, delivering him a huge grizzly into his gunsight. While trailing the 'griz', Bill stumbled over a quartz ledge sprinkled with flecks of yellow, Gold! By July of 1860, the rush was on. By 1875, it was virtually over.

Remember the Old West

Imagine life 100 years ago in Holcomb Valley -- small miners' cabins dotting the landscape, herds of sheep and cattle grazing, and a team of donkeys transporting lumber. Looking around now we see the forest interspersed with pockets of meadows and pebble plains where plants have evolved over eons to live in hard clay soil. While human lifestyles come and go, the plants continue to grow in this unique environment.