South Fork Trail

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 34.10060°N / 116.8278°W
Additional Information Route Type: Hike
Additional Information Time Required: Most of a day
Additional Information Difficulty: Walk-up with 4,600 ft elevation gain
Sign the Climber's Log

Approach

From intersate 10 at Redlands exit Highway 38 and drive northeast. Continue past the Forest Falls turn-off through the town of Angelus Oaks. Turn right on Jenks Lake Road just beyond a large parking area on the shoulder. The large trailhead parking area is on the left hand side.

Route Description

Via San Gorgonio:From the trailhead, the trail ascends gently through forested terrain. After about 3.5 miles you reach the junction of the Dry Lake Trail and the Dollar Lake Saddle trail. Either trail will lead you to the summit. The Dry Lake Trail climbs the north side of the mountain with many switchbacks and winds around then east side of the mountain, joining the other trail about a 1/2 mile short of the summit. The other trail climbs to the main crest of the San Bernardino Mountains at the four-way junction at Dollar Lake Saddle and follows the south side of the crest to the summit. Which ever way is taken, it is about 11 miles and the elevation gain is 4,600 ft. I would recommend doing a loop. The views are great!

Essential Gear

During winter months snowshoes, maybe crampons and ice axe too depending on the snow pack. Water, Good Boots, Map, Compass, A rangers advice(Mill Creek Station), and strong self determination for any summit dreams to come true on a one day trip. All the peaks are 'out there' in the Wilderness and will require a decently long approach, unless you hike in and camp. And then of course, a Camping list of Essential Gear will be need. Calling the ranger station ahead of time and getting the conditions will be helpful.

Current Trail Conditions

Current Trail Conditions

Red Tape

Make sure to get a wilderness permit from the Mill Creek Ranger Station on Hwy 38 on your way up. They are required in the wilderness boundary.

More Information

This trail, even in winter is pretty easy to follow and is very popular.You will take the trail up past Horse Meadows, around the Poopout Hill loop, make a right at South Fork Meadows trail crossings going to Dollar/Dry Lake.To get to Jepson and other Southernly peaks in the area, Pass Dollar Lake saddle and you will gain the summit from the south heading north. The summit scramble is fairly easy. A trace trail will appear on the left about 3 miles after Dollar Lake Saddle. Little Charlton and Charlton are easily snagged from the saddle as well by continuing East on the Sky High trail going in the direction of San Gorgonio.

This is a wonderful area to hike and camp in all year long. Winter ascents and snowshoeing is popular on this trail in Winter.

From the Dollar Lake Saddle you get a wonderfull peakbagging basecamp with Jepson, Alto Diablo, San Gorgonio, Charlton, Little Charlton, and East and West Dobbs all very close to this saddle.


Dry Lake offers alternative hikes and routes around San Gorgonio, as well as access to Lake Peak, Zahniser Peak, and the Ten-Thousand-Foot Ridge.

New numbers from USGS! Some xtra info you may want...

Vivian Creek 9.3 miles 5,422' gain
South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain
Fish Creek 10.1 miles 3,342' gain
South Fork via Dry Lake 11.34 miles, 4,622' gain
Aspen Grove 12.75 miles, 4,092' gain
Lost Creek Trail via Dry Lake 12.9 miles, 5,182' gain
Momyer 13.2 miles, 6,062' gain
Forsee via Jackstraw 15.18 miles, 4,702' gain

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

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tarol

tarol - Oct 17, 2011 2:53 pm - Voted 9/10

revised mileages

These mileages were all recently revised by the USFS and SGWA: (one-way mileages to the top of San G) Vivian Creek 9.3 miles 5,422' gain South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain Fish Creek 10.1 miles 3,342' gain South Fork via Dry Lake 11.34 miles, 4,622' gain Aspen Grove 12.75 miles, 4,092' gain Lost Creek Trail via Dry Lake 12.9 miles, 5,182' gain Momyer 13.2 miles, 6,062' gain Forsee via Jackstraw 15.18 miles, 4,702' gain

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Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.