🏞️ San Gorgonio Peak via South Fork Trail

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/