San Bernardino Mountains

OVERVIEW

SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

San Gorgonio and Jepson Peak viewed from Dry Lake

SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA

SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA
MOUNT SAN GORGONIO	JEPSON PEAK	CHARLTON PEAK	GALENA PEAK
At an elevation of 11,499 (3505 M) this is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra	At 11,205 (3415 M) Jepson offers some of the best snow climbs in Southern California	At 10,806 (3294 M) Charlton is one of the more popular peaks in the 9 peak traverse	At 9,324 (2842 M) Galena is the anchor peak of Yucaipa Ridge

The Nine Peak Traverse

SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA 9 PEAK TRAVERSE
The Nine Peak Traverse is a challenging and visually rewarding sub-alpine experience covering 26 miles and nearly 8,000 feet of gain/loss. All 9 summits are in excess of 10,000 feet (3,000 M+) and offer stunning views of the wilderness area. The most common approach is from the west off highway 38 at the Angelus Oaks Trailhead (elevation 5,760). After climbing nearly 5,000 feet in roughly 6 ½ miles one reaches San Bernardino Peak (10,649) the first summit. From here the traverse continues East along a tall sub-alpine ridgeline eventually climbing Southeast ultimately reaching Mount San Gorgonio. Most will make this a one way traverse choosing to descend the Vivian Creek Trail to the parking area north of Forest Falls. A pre-arranged parked car or a carpool is highly advisable. The traverse is generally completed as a multi-day backpacking trip. For the truly well conditioned this route can be accomplished in a single day. Those attempting this in a single day should already be pre-acclimatized to altitude, otherwise the result can be extremely discomforting.
View Larger Map	9 Peak Summits Charlton Peak, Jepson Peak and Mount San Gorgonio
Click on Map Icons for information about the start, the finish and each peak For another 9 peak variation check out Travis' Trip Report And For those who have unlimited endurance try Rick Kent's 17 Peak Day hike

GETTING THERE

HIGHWAY ACCESS TO THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS
THE SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA
	Take Interstate 10 to the city of Redlands exiting Orange Street and heading north for approximately 1/2 mile. Turn right on E Lugonia Ave, Highway 38. Lugonia becomes Mentone Blvd in the City of Mentone and then Mill Creek Road and eventually State Highway 38. Approximately five miles up the road you will pass the Mill Creek Ranger Station and shortly thereafter enter the San Bernardino National Forest. From Highway 38 and the adjoining roads you can access the south, east and north sides. Highway 38 will eventually lead you to Big Bear Lake and City from the southeast side. It takes longer to arrive in the Big Bear area but is a popular alternative route during weekend and holiday traffic.
BIG BEAR LAKE / RUNNING SPRINGS AREA
	Take Interstate 10 to the city of Redlands. Next take the Highland / Running Springs Highway (CA-330) exit north onto Highway 210. Follow Highway 210 for approximately 4.5 miles taking the Mountain Resorts exit onto Highway 330N. You will reach Running Springs in approximately 15 miles. Here 330 merges with and becomes highway 18. Big Bear Lake is another 17 miles further up the highway. This is the most direct and heavily traveled road to the Running Springs and Big Bear Lake areas. The road is mountainous and windy. During the winter it is susceptible to heavy snow fall and ice. At peak times heavy traffic can stretch the drive into several hours. Plan accordingly. Always carry chains.
LAKE ARROWHEAD AREA
	Take Interstate 10 to the city of Redlands. Next take the Highland / Running Springs Highway (CA-330) exit north onto Highway 210. Follow Highway 210 for approximately 4.5 miles taking the Mountain Resorts exit onto Highway 330N. At approximately 14 miles or just before you reach Running Springs turn left at Live Oak Drive. Travel approximately 1.5 miles and turn left again onto Rim of the World Highway (CA-18) Travel five more miles and you will enter the Lake Arrowhead Area. Turn right on Highway 173 to Arrive at Lake Arrowhead
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
BIG BEAR LAKE FROM THE NORTH
	From Highway 15 in Victorville exit Bear Valley Road heading east. Travel 22 miles to Lucerne Valley. Turn right onto Highway 18 and travel approximately 25 miles arriving at Big Bear Lake. This route receives less snowfall during storms and has the least amount of mountain driving.
CRESTLINE FROM THE SOUTH
	From Interstate 10 in Colton proceed north on Highway 215. At approximately four miles take the Highway 210 split north. Highway 210 will soon curve and proceed east. Exit Waterman and proceed North. Waterman Avenue becomes the start of Highway 18. Continue on for 13 miles and you will arrive in Crestline.
CRESTLINE / LAKE ARROWHEAD FROM CAJON PASS
	From just North of the 15 – 215 Freeway merge exit the Rim of the World Highway 138 heading east. Follow the highway approximately 20 miles into crestline and continue until you reach highway 18. Turn left and follow 18 to your destination of Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs and Big Bear Lake.

CAMPING

CAMPGROUND LOCATIONS IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA		ROAD ACCESSED CAMPSITES
Location	Altitude	Location	Location
FISH CREEK TRAIL		BARTON FLATS VICINITY	BIG BEAR LAKE
Fish Creek Trail Camp	8,600'	Barton Flats	Holcomb Valley
FORSEE CREEK TRAIL		Heart Bar	Pineknot
John's Meadow	7,200'	San Gorgonio	Serrano
Jackstraw Camp	9,200'	South Fork
Trail Fork Springs Camp	10,400'	Wildhorse Equestrian	BIG BEAR LAKE VICINITY
LOST CREEK TRAIL		Coon Creek Cabin (GC)	Big Pine Flats
Grinnell Ridge Camp	8,500'	Council (GC)	Hanna Flats
MOMYER CREEK TRAIL		Heartbar Equestrian (GC)	Big Pine Flats Equestrian (GC)
Alger Creek Camp	7,100'	Juniper Springs (GC)	Bluff Mesa (GC)
Dobbs Camp	7,200'	Lobo (GC)	Boulder (GC)
Saxton Camp	8,400'	Oso (GC)	Buttercup (GC)
NORTH FORK, WHITEWATER RIVER		Skyline (GC)	Deer (GC)
Mineshaft Flats	9,600'		Gray’s Peak (GC)
Big Tree Camp	8,400'	RUNNING SPRINGS VICINITY	Green Spot Equestrian (GC)
SAN BERNARDINO PEAK DIVIDE TRAIL		Crab Flats	Ironwood (GC)
Anderson Flat	10,500'	Green Valley	Tanglewood (GC)
Shields Flat	10,400'	Fisherman’s - Walk-in (GC)
Dry Lake View Trail Camp	10,540'	Shady Cove (GC)	LAKE ARROWHEAD VICINITY
SAN BERNARDINO PEAK TRAIL		Tent Peg (GC)	Dogwood
Columbine Camp	8,000'		Northshore
Limber Pine Bench Camp	9,200'	LYTLE CREEK VICINITY
SOUTH FORK TRAIL		Applewhite	(GC) = Group Campground
Dry Lake camping area	9,000' +
Trail Flats Camp	9,700'
Dollar Lakes Forks Trail Camp	9,300'
Red Rock Flat	10,100'
High Meadow Springs	10,400'
VIVIAN CREEK TRAIL
Vivian Creek Camp	7,100'
Halfway Camp	8,100'
High Creek Camp	9,200'
SUMMIT
Summit Camp	11,500'

RED TAPE

WEATHER AND TRAFFIC CONSIDERATIONS

National Weather Service Forecast and current conditons for the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area

Big Bear Weather

The mountain climate will vary widely based on elevation. Temperatures can be as much as 30 degrees cooler in higher elevations compared to the valley floor. Heavy snow generally occurs in the high elevations during the winter months. Be aware that snow is possible any month of the year at higher elevations. Typical precipitation occurs between November and April with a dry summer season. Summer temperatures can heat up at the lower elevations and are more moderate at the higher elevations. Nighttime temperatures can be cool in the mountains, even during the summer months. Weather can change quickly, especially in the high elevations. Check weather forecasts and avoid storms.

Big Bear Lake is a very popular vacation/ski destination especially during the winter season. Chains are mandatory for all vehicles. Because the access roads to most of the Forest are winding two lane highways they are subject to severe traffic delays during winter weekends and Holidays. Allow for plenty of time to reach your destination. Be mindful that many of the weekend motorists are inexperienced snow and ice drivers.

LODGING

EXTERNAL LINKS

Additions and Corrections

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tarol	Current Fire Restrictions
Voted 10/10	Under Yellow Post Sites you have that there are no current fire restrictions - but there are! No campfires or charcoal fires are currently allowed anywhere on the National Forest. Best to point folks towards the San Bernardino NF Website Fire Restriction Page to get the latest info.
	Posted Oct 9, 2007 9:46 am

tarol	Wilderness Permits
Voted 10/10	The limit is 12 people per wilderness permit. Permits for the San Gorgonio Wilderness can also be obtained at the Barton Flats Visitor Center when it is open (usually on weekends in the summertime).
	Posted Oct 9, 2007 9:54 am

	johnm	Re: Wilderness Permits
	Hasn't voted	Tarol: Thanks for your comments. I have made the updates to the page.
		Posted Oct 14, 2007 1:20 pm

tarol	Etymology
Voted 10/10	The name San Bernardino, given to the mountains, the National Forest, the valley, the city, and the county, originated with the last surviving member of Junipero Serra's band, Padre Dumetz. Leading a party of missionaries, soldiers, and Native Americans, Dumetz entered the valley on May 20, 1810. Since this was the feast day of St. Bernard of Sienna, he named the valley "San Bernardino" in honor of that saint.
	Posted Mar 17, 2010 6:30 pm

tarol	Better map link
Voted 10/10	http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5389830.pdf
	Posted Oct 14, 2012 2:46 pm

tarol	Arrowhead Ranger Station is closed
Voted 10/10	...permanently :( Big Bear Ranger Station/Discovery Center is now closed Tues/Wed year-round
	Posted Oct 14, 2012 2:48 pm

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