Geo-Bio Exploring

Join us for a challenging and rewarding summit adventure to San Gorgonio Peak (11,503 ft), the highest mountain in Southern California, via the scenic South Fork Trail.

This route travels through beautiful pine and fir forests, meadows, mountain streams, and high alpine terrain before reaching the broad summit of Old Grayback. Along the way we’ll pass Horse Meadows, Poopout Hill, Dry Lake, and Mineshaft Saddle before the final climb to the summit. On clear days, the panoramic views may extend across the San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto, the Mojave Desert, Big Bear, Catalina Island, and beyond.

Expect a full day on rugged mountain terrain with high altitude, long climbs, and spectacular alpine scenery.

This hike is intended for experienced and physically fit hikers who are comfortable with:

• Approximately 19–21 miles round trip
• About 4,700–5,000 feet of elevation gain
• High altitude above 11,000 feet
• Long, strenuous mountain days
• Rocky and uneven terrain

Expected hiking time is approximately 10–16 hours, depending on group pace and conditions.

If you enjoy exploring beautiful natural places, value health, fitness, and agility, and feel this hiking style and group culture resonate with you, we welcome your interest in joining us. Please share a little about your hiking experience, what interests you about this adventure, and anything else you’d like us to know about your outdoor background.

Group Culture
We enjoy exploring beyond simply reaching the destination. Along the way we share observations, exchange ideas, and have thoughtful conversations about nature, science, travel, life, and whatever else sparks our curiosity. Respect for different perspectives, genuine curiosity, good judgment, and a collaborative spirit are all part of the experience.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, you’ll likely feel at home with our group.

Please bring:

• 4–5 liters of water plus electrolytes
• Food and snacks
• Layers and wind protection
• Sun protection
• Headlamp
• Trekking poles recommended

Important:

• Wilderness permit & Adventure Pass/ National Park Pass required
• Carpooling encouraged
• Summer thunderstorms and rapidly changing mountain weather are always possible
• This is a collaborative wilderness outing, not a guided trip

Meeting Location: South Fork Trailhead
Date: Saturday, July 18
Please arrive early and be ready to begin hiking promptly at 6:00 AM.

Personal Responsibility
Participants are responsible for evaluating conditions, making sound decisions, managing risks appropriately, and looking after their own safety throughout the event.

Acknowledgment of Risk
By RSVPing and participating, you acknowledge that hiking, scrambling, bouldering, creek crossing, and other outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including injury, illness, falls, changing weather, wildlife, and other natural hazards. You are responsible for evaluating your own abilities, equipment, health, and decisions throughout the event.

The organizer will make reasonable efforts to promote a safe and enjoyable experience but cannot eliminate the inherent risks of outdoor activities. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you accept the risks associated with these activities.

San Gorgonio is a serious mountain, but for prepared hikers it offers one of the finest alpine experiences in Southern California.

Cross post:
https://www.meetup.com/santabarbaraadventurepeople/

Explore. Observe. Discover

Join us for a scenic day of hiking through one of the most beautiful and historic canyons in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Our route follows the Sturtevant and Winter Creek Trails, passing the picturesque Sturtevant Falls, tranquil streams, shaded oak and pine forests, historic cabins, and the summit of Mount Zion before completing a rewarding loop through Big Santa Anita Canyon.

This hike offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty, mountain history, and moderate physical challenge. Along the way we’ll enjoy peaceful canyon scenery, flowing water, diverse plant life, and opportunities for thoughtful conversation while immersed in nature.

A beautiful landscape doesn't merely give us something to look at. It gives us something to wonder about. We explore not simply to see new places, but to widen and deepen our understanding of the world.

Distance / Elevation Gain:

• Approximately 11 miles round trip
• Approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain

Expect a full day of hiking on well-maintained mountain trails with steady climbs, creek crossings, and beautiful forest scenery.
This hike is intended for people who are comfortable with:

• A full day of moderate physical activity
• Uneven mountain trails
• Steady climbs and descents
• Creek crossings
• Hiking at a moderate, sustained pace

If you enjoy exploring beautiful natural places, value health, fitness, and agility, and feel this hiking style and group culture resonate with you, we welcome your interest in joining us.

Group Culture
We enjoy exploring beyond simply reaching the destination. Along the way we share observations, exchange ideas, and have thoughtful conversations about nature, science, travel, life, and whatever else sparks our curiosity.

Respect for different perspectives, genuine curiosity, good judgment, and a collaborative spirit are all part of the experience.

Please bring:

• 2–3 liters of water plus electrolytes
• Food and snacks
• Sun protection
• Layers appropriate for changing conditions
• Proper hiking footwear
• Trekking poles optional but recommended

Important:

• Creek crossings are part of the route
• Trail and weather conditions may influence the day’s itinerary
• The route and pace may be adjusted based on safety considerations
• This is a collaborative wilderness outing, not a guided trip

Please arrive early and be ready to begin hiking promptly at 7:00 AM.

Personal Responsibility
Participants are responsible for evaluating conditions, making sound decisions, managing risks appropriately, and looking after their own safety throughout the event.

Acknowledgment of Risk
By RSVPing and participating, you acknowledge that hiking, creek crossings, scrambling over occasional natural obstacles, and other outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including injury, illness, falls, changing weather, wildlife, and other natural hazards. You are responsible for evaluating your own abilities, equipment, health, and decisions throughout the event.

The organizer will make reasonable efforts to promote a safe and enjoyable experience but cannot eliminate the inherent risks of outdoor activities. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you accept the risks associated with these activities.

Come prepared for a memorable day of hiking, and exploration in one of Southern California’s most charming mountain canyons.

Explore. Observe. Discover

Join us as we explore the landscapes of Icehouse Canyon and Cucamonga Peak (8,859 ft), one of the most spectacular summits in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Our route begins in the scenic Icehouse Canyon, climbing through shaded forests, seasonal streams, and rugged mountain terrain before ascending to Cucamonga Saddle and the final ridgeline leading to the summit. Along the way we’ll experience diverse landscapes, beautiful mountain scenery, and sweeping views extending across the San Gabriel Mountains, the Inland Empire, the Mojave Desert, and, on clear days, beyond.

This hike offers an excellent combination of sustained physical challenge, scenic beauty, and the opportunity to enjoy meaningful conversations while immersed in nature.

A beautiful landscape doesn't merely give us something to look at. It gives us something to wonder about. We explore not simply to see new places, but to widen and deepen our understanding of the world.

Distance / Elevation Gain:

• Approximately 12 miles round trip
• Approximately 4,500 feet of elevation gain

Expect a full day of hiking on mountain trails with long, steady climbs, rocky terrain, and significant elevation gain.

This hike is intended for people who are comfortable with:

• A full day of strenuous hiking
• Long, sustained climbs and descents
• Rocky and uneven mountain trails
• High levels of physical exertion

If you enjoy exploring beautiful natural places, value health, fitness, and agility, and feel this hiking style and group culture resonate with you, we welcome your interest in joining us.

Group Culture
We enjoy exploring beyond simply reaching the destination. Along the way we share observations, exchange ideas, and have thoughtful conversations about nature, science, travel, life, and whatever else sparks our curiosity.

Respect for different perspectives, genuine curiosity, good judgment, and a collaborative spirit are all part of the experience.

Please bring:

• 3–4 liters of water plus electrolytes
• Food and snacks
• Layers appropriate for changing mountain conditions
• Sun protection
• Headlamp
• Proper hiking footwear
• Trekking poles recommended

Important:

• Early start helps us enjoy cooler temperatures and avoid afternoon heat
• Weather and trail conditions may influence the day’s itinerary
• The route and pace may be adjusted based on safety considerations
• This is a collaborative wilderness outing, not a guided trip

Please arrive early and be ready to begin hiking promptly at 5:00 AM.

Personal Responsibility
Participants are responsible for evaluating conditions, making sound decisions, managing risks appropriately, and looking after their own safety throughout the event.

Acknowledgment of Risk
By RSVPing and participating, you acknowledge that hiking and other outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including injury, illness, falls, changing weather, wildlife, rockfall, and other natural hazards. You are responsible for evaluating your own abilities, equipment, health, and decisions throughout the event.

The organizer will make reasonable efforts to promote a safe and enjoyable experience but cannot eliminate the inherent risks of outdoor activities. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you accept the risks associated with these activities.

Come prepared for a memorable day of challenge, and exploration in one of Southern California’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.