Mt San GorgonioMt San Gorgonio Peak, the highest point in the San Bernardino mountains, is 3,505 meters high. The hike to the summit is a strenuous 12km.Directions from the Bay AreaTake US-101 S. for 33 kmTake the CA-152 EAST exit and turn left Drive east 65 km Take the I-5 ramp south towards LOS ANGELES. Drive south on I-5 for 390 km Take I-210 EAST RAMP towards PASADENA Drive east 77 km Take I-10 ramp EAST towards SAN BERNARDINO/LOS ANGELES. Drive east 57 km Take the highway 38 exit in Redlands and proceed east about 20km Turn right into Valley of Falls drive and go till the end (about 7km) Total is about 600kms from San Jose to the parking lot. Trail descriptionThe shortest way to the top of Mt San Gorgonio is the Vivian Creek trail. The trailhead is at the end of Valley of Falls drive. You start at a little less than 2000 meters. After a short while you cross the creek and start hiking vertical up the hill. The first stretch is very steep, to Vivian Creek Trail camp (2kms, 2300m). Halfway Camp is next (2kms, 2500m, 1.5 hours) Highcreek Camp is next (3kms, 3000m, 1hr). The summit is 5kms past Highcreek Camp. First you go up very long switchbacks on the shady side of the hill. Then you start ascending straight along a gravely and rocky trail on the south side. This takes you to the junction with the trail that comes from Dollar Lake. When you reach that junction, you are 0.5 km from the summit. At the junction with the trail from Dollar Lake, bear right. The total elevation gain is 1650 meters. Coming down is not easy, as the trail is steep and rocky; very hard on your muscles and knees.A good speed is about 4 hours to go up and 3.5 to come down. The trail is fairly uneventful. There are no lakes or major creeks or waterfalls, and almost no fauna. Contrary to what your favorite guidebooks says, the view from the top is only so so. Palm Springs trails
Cactus to Clouds (San Jacinto Peak) near Palm Springs The trailhead is at the intersection of Ramon Rd and La Mirada streets. From I-10 take Hwy 11 into Palm Springs, turn right into Ramon Rd and proceeed to the end of the street. The total distance to the peak is about 35kms but it's the elevation gain that is the real killer: almost 3,000 meters to reach the summit of San Jacinto Peak (3,302 m). |
Links:San Gorgonio websiteNational Parks California State Parks CampingBarton Flat campground is the first campground on highway 38 that you find coming from highway 10. It is very far from the ranger station and from the Valley of the Falls turnoff that leads to Vivian Creek trail, but it is close to the South Fork trailhead. Near the Vivian Creek trailhead (on Valley of the Falls drive) there are motels, but no campground.PermitsPermits are required for one-day hiking. You can get them from the ranger station at 34701 Mill Creek Rd (i.e., highway 38) when they open at 6:30 (summer hours). To get there, drive east on I-10, take the Alabama exit, turn left, turn tight into Lugonia, drive approximately 18 kms to the ranger station. The ranger station is a few kms before the turnoff to Valley of the Falls, the road for Vivian Creek Trail. Another trail to the top is the South Fork (much longer), in which case it is better to get the permit from the visitor information center near the Barton Flat campground, about 20 kms further up highway 38 .If you can plan weeks ahead (ah ah), call 909 794-1123 and ask for a permit application form that you can fax back at 909 794-1125. For the record...Check how Mt San Gorgonio compares with other mountains |