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Summary: This hike is a significant and spectacular all day adventure. The hike starts deep in the San Gorgonio Wilderness at the 8200 foot level, and travels 9 miles to the 11,499 foot San Gorgonio Peak. The trail starts out along the banks of Fish Creek, passing a lovely meadow, and wonderful pine forests. As you gradually gain elevation, the trees begin to thin out and the landscape becomes progressively more rugged. As you near the tree line, you begin see the fascinating Limber Pine, with its twisted and bent form. The barren peak provides you with stunning views hundreds of miles in every direction. It was quite something to look across the desert and Palm Springs to see Mount San Jacinto directly across from us. One of the more unusual aspects of this hike is the wreckage of a DC3 cargo plane that crashed in the 1950s. The fuselage and wings literally straddled the trail. Make sure to take lots of water, as this hike could take up to 12 hours including breaks and lunch. Trailhead: From the east bound 10 in Redlands, exit on Orange Street and follow the signs for highway 38, which heads east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. About 5 miles along highway 38, stop at the Mill Creek Ranger Station and pick up a permit for this hike (you may want to call ahead for permit reservations). Continue along highway 38 for another 25 or 30 miles to the turn off for Fish Creek and bear right. After a short paved section of road, follow the dirt forest service road IN05 for 10 miles to the Fish Creek trail head. (Lat:34.12477 Lon:-116.7694) Trail Guides for San Gorgonio Peak via Fish Creek: San Bernardino Mountain Trails by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Summer, Fall User Groups: Hikers Ranger Contact: Mill Creek Ranger Station - (909) 794-1123 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Max Hardcore on 11/8/2009 We did this hike after a night of heavy beers and two hours of sleep. Took us just about 11 hours total (took a few breaks on the way up). Saw some bighorn sheep and even got a small nap in on the summit. Highly recommended! GRAB. 
Reviewed by Arjuna on 10/3/2009 Parked at the Aspen Grove (which made it a 28 mile round trip) I got there way too late and was at the trail head around 10:00 AM(bad). I had to turn around .3 miles from the peak, because it was getting dark and cold, about 38 degrees. I came out of the trail at 6:30PM and back at my car at 8:15PM. Arrive early if you want to make it a one day trip and prepare for the cold. You can pick up a self issued permit at the San Gorgonio Ranger Station.(34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone, CA 92359). You'll need an "Adventure pass" to park in the forest(get one from any Big5. You have to go east on 38 for about 30 miles from the ranger station, then turn right on Fish Creek Trail (easy to miss), right after Heart Bar Park.
Reviewed by msk on 8/22/2009 quite foggy and chilly, and not too many others on the trail today. if you only have a 2WD, you can park at aspen grove trail, and join fish creek trail, but this adds several miles to an already long hike. great views, but watch out for rocks and scat along the trails.
Reviewed by Chip on 8/17/2009 We started at 7:30AM on a perfect day and returned at 7:30PM after a long lunch at the peak. Loved the gradual climb as opposed to the steeper trail from Vivian Creek. Tom Harrison maps show the distance as 9.7 miles from Trailhead to the peak (19.4 miles round trip) with an elevation gain of 3500 ft. Those numbers are consistent with what we observed on my GPS unit. The only water along the way after Fish Creek Camp was reported to be at Lodgepole Springs (1.1 miles off the trail) so take enough to make it to the top and back. The first glimpse of San Jacinto Peak and environs when rounding the eastern end of San Gorgonio is inspiring. Great hike! 
Reviewed by LYFSAKIK on 7/28/2008 Hi All, Three of us were provided the perfect opportunity to hike the highest peak in SOCAL on Sunday, 07/27/08. More ideal conditions, I could not imagine. Please allow me to share a bit of the delightfully delicious day. After getting our wilderness pass from the ranger station in Mentone, traveling another 30 miles into the San Bernardino range, & then driving 10 miles on dirt roads, we arrived at Fish Creek. We did not get started on the trail until just before 10 a.m. So, I had a few misgivings about whether the 9.2-mile trek to the summit of San Gorgonio & then back down was going to be doable in the space of nine hours. Well, we were able to move at a steady clip of just under 2.5 miles/hour. Starting at 8100 feet & cl
Reviewed by Jeff on 7/28/2008 Great hike, but make sure you have a truck/SUV for the service road to the trailhead. I didn't read the reviews, and it took over an hour and several scratches to get my friend's Mazda to the trailhead. Not too hard or strenuous, great views
Reviewed by DA on 4/17/2007 Please forgive 70 yr memory. It was Mt.Baden Powell that I climbed in 1948. What I wrote holds true just the wrong Mt
Reviewed by DA on 4/15/2007 I think I hiked this trail in 1946, when I was at a Girl Scout Camp in San Bernadino. I didn't know anything about hiking. We left the beginning of the trail about 10pm and reached the top at daybreak. I remember putting my name on a list that I completed the hike. It was a long time ago. I think we did 39 "switchbacks" I am not sorry I took this hike the sight from the top was spectacular. I could never do it 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||