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 Reporter |
Summary: If you time this one right, you are in for a real treat. Dry Lake got its name for an obvious reason. As the summer progresses, the lake dries up and becomes a meadow. However, during runoff, the lake is a beautiful alpine reflection of the wilderness, and worth every uphill step it takes to get there. The trail passes by several streams, this year (2005) after all the rain, they were virtual rivers. In late June there were wildflowers everywhere, and water was abundant. Earlier, there was so much snow as to make the trip improbable without snow gear, and there is a real danger of avalanche here too, so only go in winter if you are experienced in snow outings. This hike takes place entirely on North facing slopes. There are some nice stops like Horse Meadows along the trail, and while it is steep, it is pleasantly graded, enough so that horses routinely travel this route. South Fork is one of the most popular routes in the wilderness. Trailhead: Take the 10 east to Redlands, exit University Ave. Turn right and then make a quick left at the light onto Citrus. Turn left again on Judson/Ford St. Follow it to Lugonia Ave(38). make a right. Lugonia becomes Mentone Blvd and Mill Creek Road. Permits are required for all trips into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Get them early, this is a popular trail. The ranger station is a few miles from Redlands on the right hand side of the road. Continue on the 38 past Mountain Home Village. Follow the 38 as it makes the hairpin turn left and continue up the mountain. Follow it past Angelus Oaks and turn right onto Jenks Lake Road. Continue to the trailhead parking for South Fork Trail. Park in the enormous Disneyland size parking lot and head south across the road for the trailhead. The trail is well marked all the way to Dry Lake, and there are some side routes and trail junctions. Pay attention to the signs. (Lat:34.12159 Lon:-116.82919) Trail Guides for Dry Lake - South Fork Trail: San Bernardino Mountain Trails - 100 Hikes in Southern California by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Horses, Ranger Contact: Mill Creek Ranger Station - SBNF (909) 382-2881 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Alex on 9/11/2009 Hiked with my son on Labor Day. Went through the Dollar Lake - 24 miles round trip. Took us 9 1/2 hrs. Great views, very few hikers, pleasant weather, very positive experience overall. And we could walk the next day!
Reviewed by Christine on 11/9/2008 Hiked this Saturday. Weather was Perfect - 50 degrees. And there were only a few people, who seemed to be avid hikers. My husband and I haven't hiked for awhile, so this proved to be a great workout! Very pretty. Went past horse meadows, but didn't make it to Dry Lake. There was either no water or very small trickles of water. Will definitely do this hike again! Got some great pictures.
Reviewed by Mike on 9/28/2008 Hiked it round trip yesterday Sept. 28, 2008. Weather was great with temps in the low 60's to high 70's. The South Fork streams were flowing pretty good. Dry lake was dry and brown. Kind of an anti-climactic finish to the tough hike up. I havn't been there since around 1980, so it was good to see that not much has changed.
Reviewed by Jeff on 7/12/2008 Hiked this last Thursday and Friday (7/10 - 7/11). Started late and trail was hot and muggy. Only one other group coming down on the way up (father and three daughters). No water at Horse Meadows. Water in three streams at South Fork Meadows. Demanding switchbacks and up a dry creek to Dry Lake - dry except for a small bog. Around lake to plenty of nice campsites. Lodgepole Spring was a 10 minute walk for a small stream of water. Nobody around. Awesome evening with thunder, lightning, and rain. Woke to helicopters looking for a missing hiker - glad they found her. Too late to climb San Gorgonio. Better to get an early start and avoid the heat. Aloha. 
Reviewed by Nancy on 6/9/2008 Hiked on 6/8/08. Was surprised to see the streams so low this early in the summer. Was even more surprised to see Dry Lake nearly dry! Go quickly if you want to see it with water. Still, it's a beautiful hike and one of my favorites!
Reviewed by T.D. on 5/11/2008 This was a very nice hike. I did it on Saturday, May 10th. I lost the trail several times due to the snow. Very good elevation hike for beginners. Not to long and not too high.
Reviewed by Oli on 7/23/2007 Hiked this yesterday 7/22/07 A very nice hike. not to difficult.The elevation change is very gradual. along the hike there are nice views, with streams, wildflowers (a few) and lakes and mountains. it was a little difficult trying to get to the parking lot....just ask for directions at the ranger station and you should be able to find it. be sure to bring bug spray. Dry lake was drying out its only half full. there are a few streams but not much water was in them. But it was a very nice hike. well worth it!
Reviewed by Nik on 2/15/2007 Hiked this yesterday, feb 14 2007. didnt see any other cars in the parking lot. the trail itself was covered over in freshly powdered snow, which made the going a little bit tiring at times. dry lake itself was frozen or just blanketed with snow. It was pretty windy and cold at the lake, but we had a nice lunch there nonetheless and made it back out to the parking lot before it got too dark. Great hike will definitely do again Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, San Bernardino County Hiking, San Bernardino County Trails, San Bernardino County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||