Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026: Your Complete Guide (+ Where to Stay in Big Bear)
By Savvy Bears | Big Bear Lake, CA
You signed up. Now what?
If you just locked in your spot for the Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026, let's go! Whether you're tackling the 33 miler, the 15, the 9, or the 5, you're in for one of the best race weekends in Southern California. This race has been bringing runners to Big Bear Lake since 1997, and the 2026 edition marks the 30th anniversary. That's not just a race. That's a tradition.
This guide is here to help you figure out the logistics. Route details, gear, food, and where to stay so race weekend feels like a real Big Bear trip and not just a long drive to a finish line.
Ready to lock in your base camp before the weekend fills up? Browse Savvy Bears cabins at savvybears.com and book directly for the best price.
Find Your Big Bear Cabin at savvybears.com
What Is the Holcomb Valley Trail Run?
The Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026 is a multi-distance trail race held June 12 to 14 in Big Bear Lake, CA. This year it is part of the larger Big Bear Peaks & Pines weekend, which includes a TransRockies 3-day stage race option for runners who want to make the full weekend out of it.
The course runs along sections of the Pacific Crest Trail through the San Bernardino Mountains with views of Big Bear Lake, the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and the surrounding ski resorts. Alpine singletrack, forested paths, and open mountain ridgelines make this one of the most scenic races in Big Bear Lake trail running. Thirty years in, the course still delivers.
Distance options and elevation gain for 2026:
33 Mile: +4,400 ft / -4,400 ft | 10-hour cutoff
15 Mile: +1,950 ft / -1,950 ft | Hikers welcome
9 Mile: +1,100 ft / -1,100 ft
5 Mile: +560 ft / -560 ft
Note: Race organizers have flagged a potential course adjustment for 2026 due to US Forest Service permitting. Check the official race site at runbigbear.com/holcombvalley for the most current course maps before race day.
The race is also a fundraiser for the local volunteer Search & Rescue organization, which staffs every aid station and keeps runners safe out there. When you toe the line at the Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026, you are running for something bigger than a finish time.
Race Day Gear: What to Pack
Running at elevation in Big Bear in June means you need to be ready for a full range of conditions. Temperatures can swing 30 to 40 degrees from morning to afternoon. You might start in a jacket and strip it off by mile five. Here is what to bring:
The essentials:
Trail running shoes with solid grip (this course is not road terrain)
Running vest or pack with enough room for your distance
Water and electrolytes (the altitude will dehydrate you faster than you think)
Energy gels or chews for anything 9 miles and up
Sunscreen and sunglasses (June sun at 7,000 ft hits hard)
Light layers for the start and for after the race
Headlamp if you are on the 33 miler and cutting it close to the time limit
Trekking poles (optional but worth it on the longer distances)
Big Bear June weather to expect:
Morning temps: low to mid 40s at race start
Afternoon temps: mid 70s to low 80s
Wind can pick up on exposed ridge sections along the PCT
Pack smart, not heavy. Aid stations are well-stocked throughout the course, but for the Big Bear Lake trail running at this elevation, you want your own fuel and hydration plan sorted before you show up. Do not leave that for race morning.
Your accommodation should be sorted before race morning too. A Savvy Bears Big Bear cabin rental gives you a full kitchen to cook your pre-race meal, a real bed to sleep in the night before, and a hot tub to fall into when it's all over.
Book Your Race Weekend Cabin at savvybears.com
Where to Eat After the Race
You crossed the finish line. You earned a real meal. Big Bear Village is the place to go.
The Village is just minutes from the race area and full of solid options for post-race food:
Himalayan Restaurant — big portions and great for a hungry group
Saucy Mama's — casual, laid back, and good for a group dinner
Teddy Bear Restaurant — a Big Bear staple and a great breakfast spot the morning after
Big Bear Lake Brewing Company — you ran far enough to earn a cold one
The Village is also a nice place to walk around if your legs are still cooperating. Grab a coffee, browse the shops, or find a spot with a lake view and just sit for a while. If you are staying at a Savvy Bears Big Bear vacation rental, you are a short drive from all of it.
Where to Stay for the Holcomb Valley Trail Run
Your cabin choice for race weekend matters more than most people realize. A good Big Bear cabin rental means you wake up rested, you have space to lay out your gear the night before, a kitchen to cook your own food, and a comfortable place to crash after the race.
Savvy Bears has that covered.
Savvy Bears manages vacation rentals across Big Bear Lake, each one fully stocked and ready for groups of any size. Coming solo, with a running crew, or turning it into a family trip around the race? There is a Big Bear vacation rental that works for you.
Why book a Savvy Bears cabin for race weekend:
Full kitchens so you can cook your own pre-race dinner and breakfast
Hot tubs and fireplaces ready to go when you walk through the door after the race
Plenty of space for the whole group, not a hotel room with gear piled everywhere
Book direct at savvybears.com and skip the platform fees
Race weekend in Big Bear books up fast. The Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026 pulls runners in from all over Southern California, and Big Bear vacation rental spots go quickly once June gets close. Do not wait on this one.
Browse Big Bear Cabins and Book Direct at savvybears.com
Making It a Full Big Bear Weekend
The race is Saturday. Why drive home Sunday?
The Big Bear Peaks & Pines weekend runs June 12 to 14, and even if you are only racing one day, Big Bear gives you good reasons to stick around. Big Bear Lake trail running is the headline, but the area has a lot more going for it:
The lake — paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing are all easy to access right from the shore
Alpine Pedal Path — a 3.2-mile paved trail along the north shore, great for a recovery walk or bike ride the morning after the race
Big Bear Alpine Zoo — a wildlife rehab center in the Moonridge area, a relaxed option if you have kids or just want a low-key morning
Snow Summit — the Scenic Sky Chair runs in summer and the views up top are genuinely worth the trip
Book an extra night at a Savvy Bears Big Bear cabin rental, bring the family, and make it a real trip. The Pacific Crest Trail will still be there next time.
See What's Available This Weekend at savvybears.com
Logistics at a Glance
Detail Info
Race Dates
June 12 to 14, 2026
Location
Big Bear Lake, CA
Distances
5, 9, 15, and 33 miles
Registration
Official Site
runbigbear.com/holcombvalley
Online Reg Closes
Midnight, June 11
Benefits
Local Search & Rescue fundraiser
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Your Big Bear Base Camp
The Holcomb Valley Trail Run 2026 is going to be a great race. Thirty years of history, a stunning stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, multiple distances for every kind of runner, and a community that shows up for each other out there. You signed up for the right one.
Now get your stay figured out so the rest of the weekend falls into place. Savvy Bears has Big Bear cabin rentals ready for race weekend. Book directly at savvybears.com, skip the fees, and get the best price. Whether you need a cabin for two or a house for the full crew, there is a Big Bear vacation rental ready for you.
Find Your Cabin at savvybears.com and Book Direct
Savvy Bears is a vacation rental company based in Big Bear Lake, CA. Book direct at savvybears.com for the best prices, no platform fees, and real support from real people.