San Bernardino County, California
I've been avoiding this hike for years due to the intimidating distance and elevation gain. Oh boy was I wrong! The heavy elevation gain only occurs in the first 0.5 mile after the riverbed. The rest of the hike is medium difficulty and well sustained. Mt. San Gorgonio is not only the tallest peak in the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge, but the tallest in Southern California.
I did this hike as a day hike through the Vivian Creek Trail. If elevation gain is of concern (or if you want to turn the trip into a relaxing backpacking trip), you can summit through Fish Creek which is about 1.5 miles longer with only 3,687 ft. of elevation gain. This is also the safest approach for any winter attempt at Mt. San Gorgonio. You'll love the views regardless of which trail you take! Forgot to mention, permits for day hikes are now optional but recommended.
Distance: ~18 miles (Out-and-Back)
Elevation Gain: 5,492 ft.
Final Elevation: 11,503 ft.
Directions to the start of the trail (Vivian Creek Trailhead): Use the directions feature in Google Maps and enter the following coordinates exactly as shown. This will take you straight to the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. Do not park in campsite parking spots unless you have that campsite reserved! If there is no parking in the main trailhead parking lot, there is an overflow lot next to the restrooms.
34.079550, -116.883658
Trailhead!
This part is a little confusing. When you reach the river bed, look across for a trail sign.
Start of some brutal uphill.
Entering San Gorgonio Wilderness. Permits are optional for day hikes.
Go left...
Wish I brought my better camera!
Follow the sign for High Creek.
Keep going!
Getting near the exposed Grayback portion of Gorgonio. It was really cool seeing small human dots hiking up the side of that ridge line from here.
I can see why this isn't a good hike in the winter...
Continuing on... It gets kind of weird here. Applicable beta my useless friends usually give me when I'm stumped on a bouldering problem, "Just go up!" This is also where you meet up with the Fish Creek / Skyhigh Trail.
False summit!
Almost there. God I love seeing summit blocks.
Made it!
#28.
Chris's Difficulty Rating - 7/10
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