The next segment of the trip is quite enjoyable as the trail follows vivian creek under towering jeffrey pines, in and out of a meadow and to a junction with a spur to halfway camp elevation 8,000, 2. San gorgonio wilderness trails usda forest service. Mount san gorgonio via the vivian creek trail calitrails. Access to san gorgonio is regularly limited by use of hiking permits, with 25 to 30 people a day allowed in the area at a time. The shortest approach, from the south, is the vivian creek trailabout eight miles and 5400 vertical feet to the summit. Vivian creek trail to san gorgonio peak california. The san gorgonio wilderness is located in the eastern san bernardino mountains, in san bernardino county and into northern riverside county, southern california it begins north of san gorgonio pass, approximately 2 miles 3. Six hikingbackpacking loops in the san gorgonio wilderness.
San gorgonio mountain via south fork trail modern hiker. The pacific crest trail pct in this part of southern california covered by the san jacinto and laguna mountains topographic map guide rises steadily from san gorgonio pass into the san jacinto mountains, where the trail climbs just above 9,000 feet. In my recent six hikingbackpacking loops in the san gorgonio wilderness sgw blog post, i featured a series of maps. Request for san gorgonio wilderness over night permit.
Use of trail, campsite, or other area in the san gorgonio wilderness by a group larger than 12 persons, or having more than 8 stock. San gorgonio represents a number of things to socal hikers. Jun 18, 20 the fish creek trail ends, the dry lake trail goes to your right, and the sky high trail goes to your left and up to san gorgonio which you are now on the northern slope of. The vivian creek trail is an artery used by hikers to reach the peak. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking and is best used from march until october. San gorgonio park 2916 via san gorgonio san clemente ca 92672. San gorgonio by heading down the sky high trail where the views were breathtaking. There are several trails leading up to san gorgonio, but none as steep as the vivian creek trail, which in less than eight miles to the summit. Five of the campsites are double sites which can accommodate up to 2 vehicles and 16 campers. Request for san gorgonio wilderness over night permit front. San gorgonio wilderness has 176 trails in the vicinity, including 152 hiking trails, 108 for walking and 165 for other activities. This wilderness area provides a transition between the desert and mountains.
San gorgonio mountain, also known locally as mount san gorgonio, or old greyback, is the highest peak in southern california at 11,503 feet 3,506 m. As of october 2019, all trails and wilderness camps are open. Dec 09, 2014 i purchased this map in anticipation of an overnight on san gorgonio and i have to say it was easy to read and durable, and it was for the most part very accurate. Wilderness trails and camps are marked very clearly in red with trail mileages noted in red along the corresponding trail segments. It is very important to carry a map with you, they can be purchased at the various visitor centers. I purchased this map in anticipation of an overnight on san gorgonio and i have to say it was easy to read and durable, and it was for the most part very accurate. They may be requested in person, by mail, or by fax up to three months in advance from mill creek ranger station.
The hike to san gorgonio is an iconic socal hiker rite of passage, i highly recommend it. Located 27 miles east of san bernardino california. The summit of san gorgonio 11,499 is 3 miles beyond high creek. You may obtain your permit in person at the mill creek ranger station, barton flats visitor center summer only, or fawnskin ranger station in big. San gorgonio park 2916 via san gorgonio san clemente, ca. There is a use trail from the camp area down to the springs. Let me tell you the story about the sixty dollar beer but first, a few tips for making this an enjoyable hike.
San gorgonio mountain topo map, san bernardino county ca. As the forest on the north slope of san gorgonio mountain begins its long and slow recovery, the vivian creek trail is now the fastest and most scenic way to reach the top. The fact that san gorgonio mountain is the tallest peak in southern california 11,502 feet is reason enough to hike it the breathtaking 360 degree vistas and stunning alpine scenery along the way are icing on the cake. The san gorgonio wilderness is the climax region of the san bernardino mountains in southern california. San gorgonio peak running trail, banning, california. There are some gradual sections in the middle, but expect to be going up for most of the hike. San gorgonio via vivian creek socal hiker trail guides. Free wilderness permits are required for all hikes into the san gorgonio wilderness. The hike to san gorgonio is an iconic socal hiker rite of passage, and i highly recommend it. At 11,503 feet, the san gorgonio hike brings you to the highest peak in southern california. The longest trail in san gorgonio wilderness is fish creek trail a wellknown trail measuring 87 miles in total length. Aug 28, 2016 after passing the san gorgonio wilderness boundary, the grade levels out and you enter the shade of vivian creek trail camp elevation 7,200. You can send the permit by mail, or for a quicker turnaround, fax the pdf form in.
I also carried a gps unit with me, and according to the gps unit the trail segment lengths printed on the map were a touch less than the actual distance, but not enough to throw. Of southern californias major summits, san gorgonio mountain is the one ive visited the least, and its easy to understand why. Guide to hiking san gorgonio mountain via the vivian creek. This trip follows the south fork trail, approaching the peak from the north. The map, and other hiking essentials, along with the wilderness permit should be carried with you throughout your visit. Turn right onto san bernardino peak trail and finally gain the san gorgonio summit. Permit request forms san gorgonio wilderness association. I adore hiking at san gorgonio in the winter months because the wilderness is desolate, silent, peaceful and it feels like im the only one on the mountain. Tahquitz trails and broken arrow high adventure awards. Over 80 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Johns meadow trail is a backpacking, hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near san gorgonio wilderness, ca. Jan 01, 2005 trail map of the san gorgonio wilderness. When researching a hike into the san gorgonio wilderness in the winter months, you may be put off by the thought of hiking in so much snow. Many areas in and around the san gorgonio wilderness are currently closed due to the lake fire. The pacific crest trail pct in this part of southern california travels through the scrubcovered sierra pelona and into the pines of the san gabriel and san bernardino ranges. The latitude and longitude coordinates of san gorgonio mountain are 34.
San gorgonio mountain lies at the easternmost extremity of the transverse ranges. The mountain is a heavily eroded, partially dissected plateau big bear lake, california is the largest city near san gorgonio, and hosts two major ski resorts, as well as a popular summer get away for many southern californians that utilize the lake for boating swimming, and fishing. Waterproof, synthetic paper tom harrison, tom harrison on. San gorgonio peak hiking trail, banning, california. Find any address on the map of san gorgonio pass or calculate your itinerary to and from san gorgonio pass, find all the tourist attractions and michelin guide restaurants in san gorgonio pass.
Also, please remember to camp at least 200 feet from meadows, streams, springs, trails, and other occupied sites. San gorgonio mountain, california topographic map and nearby trails. The fish creek trail ends, the dry lake trail goes to your right, and the sky high trail goes to your left and up to san gorgonio which you are now on the northern slope of. San bernardino national forest, san jacinto ranger district. I have also added the lake fire closure area to the below linked map. San gorgonio at elevation 11,503 feet is the highest peak in southern california, located in the san bernardino mountains. San gorgonio campground has 54 campsites at an elevation 6,500 feet in the san bernardino national forest. Trail map of the san gorgonio wilderness by tom harrison this is a waterproof 26. Alltrails has 29 great hiking trails, running trails, views trails and more, with hand curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed. Best trails in san gorgonio wilderness california alltrails. What i did not include was that a strong member of the group i hiked with, who stayed with me the entire time as this was my first snow hike, is a. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of yucaipa ridge and galena peak, as well as sweeping panoramic views from the top of mt. This hiking guide takes the vivian creek trail, which is the quickest way to the summit at 10 hours roundtrip.
Hiking and biking along the greenway trails are great ways to get fit and enjoy the outdoors. San gorgonio wilderness map 2015 tom harrison maps. San gorgonio trail maps the hike starts in the valley by mill creek, does a tough quick climb to vivian creek for the middle section, and then goes straight up in the end. The trail conditions listed here are not comprehensive. This is the second most popular trailhead in the san gorgonio wilderness, and permit quotas often fill up in advance. Hike san gorgonio in a day with this easy trail guide to southern californias. Its 58,969 acres harbor two small lakes, meadows, streams, 100 miles of trail, densely forested northern. A free guide to enhance your visit to the national forest. However, the forest service quickly reopened the popular vivian creek trail. I think these maps are important because they accurately fix the positions of things like trail camps and water sources and because they identify a series of map errors. The san bernardino national forest offers 2450 trails and forest roads available for. Adjacent to the whitewater preserve, mission creek preserve, and the san gorgonio wilderness of the usfs. Map of san gorgonio pass michelin san gorgonio pass map. Youll notice that the foot traffic picks up here, as youll get hikers from dry lake coming up this route.
San gorgonio is the 6th peak of the socalhiker sixpack of peaks, which lists six peaks in the order of increasing elevations and progressively more challenging. This trip follows the south fork trail, approaching the. San gorgonio mountain topo map, san bernardino county ca san. The san gorgonio wilderness is home to the california black bear. We hiked down the dry lake trail and then the south fork trail and scott drove me back to my car at the vivian creek. Maps may be purchased at the san bernardino national forest ranger stations, local sporting goods stores, or at the sgwa backcountry store. Peak greenway trail system greenway is a growing network of approximately 69 miles of developed multiuse and accessible trails. All sites are reservable and can accommodate tents, trailers and rvs up to 55 feet. Mount san gorgonios vivian creek trail is one of the most epic day hikes that you can do with your dog in california, so it has been on our list for awhile. Anyone who is interested in visiting san gorgonio mountain can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. The employees of the san bernardino national forest are tasked with protecting a huge. It is in the san bernardino mountains, 27 miles 43 km east of the city of san bernardino and 12 miles 19 km northnortheast of san gorgonio pass. San gorgonio mountain, united states tourist information.
Oct 20, 2015 this san gorgonio trail guide goes via vivian creek, which is the quickest yet hard way to the summit, doable in a day. The opportunity finally arose last weekend and we had a blast checking out a new part of california. San gorgonio campground to santa ana 33 gate host site 28 27 26 21 22 12 10 20 19 18 45 44 43 36 38 52 53 gate 38 river trail 35 gate 49 48 so 51. San bernardino national forest trail and recreation area conditions. There is no trail shown on the map to high meadow springs, but a trail does in fact exist, and thanks to the san gorgonio wilderness association sgwa volunteer trail crews it is now well marked. San gorgonio mountain via the vivian creek trail modern hiker. The greenway trails wind through natural landscapes along many of san antonio s waterways including. After passing the san gorgonio wilderness boundary, the grade levels out and you enter the shade of vivian creek trail camp elevation 7,200. Vivian creek trail to san gorgonio peak california alltrails. San gorgonio are popular peaks yearround with southland hikers, and receive snowfall above roughly 7,000 feet in winter.
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