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What is your favorite ski ascent/descent of Gorgo in terms of access to trailhead, length, and getting the goods? We're considering doing Vivian Creek next weekend but it'd be nice to know what options exist and if there's anything better. Thanks.

South Fork trail to access San G's north side. I've skied the Big Draw and loved it! Also pretty much dig anything off of Charlton Peak. North side rules!

What deb said. Definitely go for the north side in winter if you're looking for a ski descent!

Pretty much all the good ski terrain is on the north side. So, unless you want to do a car shuttle, it probably makes most sense to start and end on the north side of Gorgonio (at the South Fork trailhead). Also, the winter approach is more direct than the summer trail, so it might even be shorter distance than Vivian Creek in winter. (anyone know?)

I've never skiied Vivian Creek, but have hiked it in summer and I imagine it would be more trees, probably a lot of traversing, and less coverage I would think (compared to the north side).

Plenty of people ski the North side - they tried to build a ski resort on the North side of San Gorgonio years ago. I've never seen anyone with skis on the Vivian side.

It's between 6 and 7 miles (one-way) to the summit of San Gorgonio from the South Fork Trailhead if you go direct to the North Face chutes from South Fork Meadows. The elevation gain is about 4600'. The winter route via Vivian Creek is about 6.5 miles one way with 5400' elevation gain. A lot less miles than in the summer, but a lot more effort.

Be careful out there - a bunch of new snow just fell on that old hard snow that was out there.

I skied the north face just below the summit last spring, and it was awesome. Charleton has a steep drop-in and some rocks/narrow gullies to negotiateI didn't have my helmet, so I passed, but there were tracks...

Heading out tomorrow and making a weekend of it. It's gonna be really cold supposedly, like Sierra cold, I can't wait. Some new snow as well and lot's of wind, it will be an interesting trip.

Be careful out there:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.10043369975709&lon=-116.83170318603516&site=sgx&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ055&warncounty=CAC071&firewxzone=CAZ255&local_place1=5+Miles+E+Forest+Falls+CA&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch

It sounds like the storm that's coming in might make it hard to get to/from the South Fork Trailhead. 65 mph wind gusts - those would send me flying.

drpw wrote:Heading out tomorrow and making a weekend of it. It's gonna be really cold supposedly, like Sierra cold, I can't wait. Some new snow as well and lot's of wind, it will be an interesting trip.

YEOW! Something about a forecasted 1degree keeps me away besides the fact that you will get buried Fri nite. Good luck dude, hope you have plenty of hand warmers and gas.

It was alright, we left early due to how much snow there was and what riding was available to us considering the avy dangers. Didn't go past dry lake.

Lot's of new snow up there - I only went as far as Poopout Hill yesterday - Here's what I saw at Poopout:

Yep, that looks familiar, except at 2pm on saturday it was freshly broken by us. 2 feet of fresh made it a really fun skin out, absolutely no way to ride out with how deep and low angle it was.

Anyone know if Jenks Lake Road open to South Fork trailhead right now?

haishan wrote:Anyone know if Jenks Lake Road open to South Fork trailhead right now?

Why wouldn't it be? It hasn't snow substantially up there in 2 weeks.

It's open.

I was up the south fork to the summit yesterday. Here is a short TR with some pics
http://socalpeaks.com/2011/03/san-gorgonio-mountain3-from-south-fork/