San Gorgonio     8/15/05

14 miles round trip   Elevation Gain (6,199-11,149) 4,950 ft

After skiing for the morning at Snow Summit ski resort we were enjoying lunch at the top of the mountain.  The surrounding mountains looked especially beautiful covered in lots of fresh snow.  To the north their was a massive mountain dominating the area.  I was curious and asked the nearby ski-patrol what mountain that was.  "Gorgonio" he replied.  I then knew that I wanted to climb that peak.  I also remembered seeing this mountain from the top of San Jacinto and knew it was going to be next.  After a bit of research I learned that it would make for a long day, but a there was a trail all the way to the top.  It involved 14 miles of hiking and  5,000 feet vertical.  It was going to be the most elevation gain that I had ever done by far in one day.

The plan was to get off work, drive to the trailhead and sleep in the car.  This would allow an early wake up and allow me to hit the trail with first light.  This was important because I wanted to make it back to the car before sunset.   I did not get off work till 8:30PM.  After some last minute packing I was on the road at 11:00PM.  I got a bit lost about 2 hrs into the drive when I left the freeway in San Bernadino and was on backroads looking for the road to take me into this valley where the trailhead was.  I found it with out much trouble and made my first stop at the Mill Creek ranger station- I needed to get a permit before tomorrow.  I knew that they left permits out at night for hikers to fill out.  I then continued on the road as far as it went into the valley and found the trailhead and the end of the road.  I cut the lights, set my alarm for a pre-dawn wake up and hit the hay. 

I WAKE up frantic to the car SHAKKING.  Still Coming to out of my deep sleep, It takes me no time to start freaking out with my mind racing.  I hear a Hoooooofffffff against the window and a scratch.  ITS A BEAR.  "HEY, HEY!!!" I yell at it into the blackness as I reach for the car lights.  The interior lights switch on, but now I am blinded and cant see a thing. I then reach and honk the horn a few times, thinking that will do the trick.  He must have then run for his life.  I never did see the bear and never had any other problems during the night. 

The alarm went off.  It was pretty dark outside and 2 hikers pulled up nearby and I saw them load up their packs leave.  After about 15 minutes it was light enough to make some breakfast.  I opened the rear of my car, got my stove and boiled some water for some oatmeal.  After clicked on my waist pouch with my gear and hit the trail.  I had 2 liters of water, first need filter, crakers and salami w/ string cheese for lunch, , trailmix, headlamp and a small digital camera.  I left the car at 6:30AM.

  The trail was hard to follow at first because their was not an obvious trail.  Just some cabins with a dirt road.  I looked back and saw a pair of hikers on the other side of the dry river bed.  I knew that the trail followed by the cabins at the beginning and they looked at me like they were a bit lost.  After a few minutes you cross the river bed and see the sign and the beginning of a trail.  From there the tough gets going in a big way.  The trail heads up and is steep and relentless from the valley floor.  The sun is just hitting the valley opposite of me and I snap this photo.  Soon later I reach Vivian Creek camp.  It is still pretty dark in the forest, but the trail is much easier and flat hiking along a stream.

I reach high Creek camp and fill my water know that this would be the last place to get it before the summit.  Then the switchbacks started up once again.

  After the series of switch backs from high camp you reach a ridge line.  From here the views are expansive and stretch south.  I recognized San Jacinto dominating the view in the distance.  It was good steep scenic hiking along this ridge.

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  I am really starting to feel the days climb as I slowly make my way up an exposed and rocky section.  I finally get a sight of what I think is the summit.  I reach an intersection and head off towards the summit camp.

I round to the top and think I am their but no, With the disappointment of a false summit comes the excitement of sight of the real one.  One last stretch.   During the day I passed a few hikers and one couple passed me.  When I saw the summit ahead I noticed that they were coming down.  I was looking forward to getting their to sit down and take in the views and be at least half way.

San Jacinto from the summit ridge.

It was a good feeling and relief to reach the top.  I was really hungry by then, It felt great to sit back and have lunch on the top.  Salami and crackers never tasted so good.  Their was some fearless chipmunks up there looking for food. MOVIE

  Their was two summit registers on the top.  There was a blue one with a book inside with pictures and a dedication to a young man who died in India when he fell into a river and over a waterfall.  Lots of people signed with their condolences.  Their was a note that it would be given to his mother a year later.

  Big Bear Lake to the North

  Their was a big big round shelters at the top for tents if you wanted to stay up here for the night.

During the hike down an interesting thing happened.  On the way up I was 100% aware of my surroundings, the trees, flowers, mountains.  About half-way down  my mind started to wander big time.  I then no longer was thinking about the trail but of random thoughts about life, school, the future, and whatever.  Hiking autopilot. I got back to the car and was tired but satisfied with the hike.  I was down by about 4PM, tired, but no serious pains.  It took about 5 hours to the top and 4 hours down.  It felt good to know that I could handle some serious elevation gain and and all around strenuous hike with out my knees going-out like they seemed to do often a few years earlier.   Arriving at home the first thing I said to Sam was, " Well...... I got another bear story for you." 

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