I've been to Big Bear once, but I don't know the area well, I think he was probably done, as soon as he was boxed into the area. He may have able to hide for a few more days, but how was he going to get out? If he had help...maybe, someone could have driven him out in a trunk or something, but consider the checkpoints. I think by the time his axle broke on the mountain he was low on resources and plans, and was scrambling. He was lucky to make it that long, if he didn't leave the area before the closed the net, it was over. What was he going to do? Stealing food from abandoned cabins like a goldilocks and the bears and shyt?