🏞️ San Gorgonio Peak via South Fork Trail

Join us for a challenging and exciting 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, Dollar Lake 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. On the descent, we’ll pass the USAF C-47 plane crash site, Dry Lake, and South Fork Santa Ana River.

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.

Videos from previous group hikes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muIuzffxUZY&t=46s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLUBX3adP5I&t=586s

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 part of the experience.

Preparation:
This outing is intended for experienced hikers who are prepared to travel safely in a wilderness environment.

Please come equipped with the Ten Essentials, including navigation, hydration, nutrition, insulation, night illumination, first aid, fire starter, repair kit, sun protection, and emergency shelter.

Participants are responsible for selecting the specific equipment appropriate for the route, weather, and their individual needs.

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

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.