Directions
Directions vary, depending on which trailhead you are trying to reach.
Vivian Creek trailhead: From interstate 10 at Redlands take Highway 38 exit (Orange Street or University Avenue) north several blocks to Hwy 38 and turn right. Drive northeast for about 14 miles to the intersection with Valley of the Falls Road. Take a right right and continue for 4.5 miles to the Falls Recreation Area, which is located right past the town of Forest Falls. Drive to the parking area at the end of the road and walk uphill through the picnic area on the dirt road in order to reach the trailhead. You will notice a dry river bed which is about where the trail starts.
Introduction
Culminating at 11,500ft, Mount San Gorgonio is the highest summit in Southern California. It is part of the trifecta which is a term to describe the three tallest peaks: Mount Baldy, Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio. Mt San Gorgonio is often referred to as Old Greyback because of mild low angle slopes that shape its summit. It is a favorite among locals and a great way to train for Mt Whitney and more challenging peaks.
They are several routes that lead up the mountains. This report or now will focus on the most accessible trailhead:
Vivan Creek trailhead
Depending on the season, Mount San Gorgonio is an excellent training ground for backpackers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers.
Weather and permits
Permits
Wherever you choose to park, make sure to bring a valid Adventure Pass to be displayed on your car's dashboard. You can buy Daily ($5) or yearly($30) passes at most outdoor retailers. The interagency pass (or America The Beautiful pass) works as well.
Overnight camping
wilderness permits are required and can be obtained on the Forrest Service website.
If camping during the summer time or weekends, make sure to secure your permits several weeks ahead of time as spots can fill out quickly.
Winter weather
The weather Southern California can be deceiving and drastically change from year to year. Summers are usually always hot while Spring and Fall are typically the best seasons to hike. You need to pay particular attention however to the winter season. Winters in Southern California are notoriously unpredictable and can drastically vary from year to year. Winter temperatures can vary from 50F to 0F at the summit. Snow level can vary from 0 to 4ft of powder. Do not underestimate the mountain because of its casual location: roughly a 90min drive from the shores of Orange County. A mild storm at seashore can translate into high winds and cold temperatures on the summit. On the other hand, some winter days can be relatively warm and wind free, thus offering a completely different experience. I advise doing your homework by checking the forecast ahead of your trip. Always check for snow levels precipitations temperatures and wind speed. Bring the appropriate gear and level of experience.
Vivan Creek Trail
Vivan Creek is the most popular route up the mountain. Located on the Western flank of San Gorgonio, it is readily accessibly from Orange and LA counties. The trail consists of a 17.2 miles round trip with a total elevation gain of 5,400ft.
While quite long, I particularly enjoyed this trail for the variety of landscapes it provides. as I as going up, i felt as if I was moving from one ecosystem to another. The trailhead is located a few hundred feet up the parking lot, on a dirt road (by the picnic area). From there, you will walk up a dirt road for a few hundred feet until you reach what looks to be the bed of Vivan Creek, now a dry river, covered with boulders. The trail crosses the bed until it reach the flank of the mountain.
From there, it winds up a dense forrest. This section may seem quite steep, however the grade winds down quickly as you reach a field of low trees and brushes that offer good visibility of the surroundings. Because the low-angle topography of this mountain, the top of Gorgonio is not visible until the very end.
The trail passes by Half Way camp, then winds up for a few miles until it reaches High Creek Camp. Some people like to make this trip into an overnight journey. I happened to do it as a day hike.
High Creek Camp is sheltered by trees with not much exposure. The trail then winds up a steep hill in order to reach a ridge located at 10,100ft and 1.8 miles from the summit. For the first time, I was able to glance at the top of Gorgonio. The landscape radically transits to a more alpine environment. Vegetation becomes scarce. Beautiful vistas of Mount San Jacinto (a nearby peak towering at 10,800 ft) start appearing. Coming up straight from sea level, I started feeling a little bit of altitude. The last 1.5 miles consist of a steep ascent on a desolate boulder field (or snow, depending on the season). Upon reaching the summit, I realized why this mountain had been nicknamed “Old Greyback”: Its summit is likely the size of a football field.
I first summited Gorgonio on a winter day. I was lucky enough to witness an inversion phenomenon, as seen on some of the photographs below. As I reached the summit, a strong wind dropped the temperature from 60F to 20F.
On winter days, the last push to the summit can become very exposed to high winds. Snow levels can hide the trail and change the terrain so that hiking up this route becomes a true mountaineering experience.
DOWNLOAD TERRAIN PROFILE FOR VIVAN CREEK
Gear
CLOTHING
Base layer
Mid layer
Down Jacket
Softshell jacket (when summiting in the winter)
Softshell pants (when summiting in the winter)
Hardshell
Shoes
Gloves
Socks
HARDWARE
Pack
Flashlight
Poles
Ice Axe (winter only)
Microspikes
Crampons (when summiting on snow in the winter)
Mountaineering boots (winter only)