Always plan the difficulty of your trip within the abilities of the weakest member of your group. Because permits [apply for a permit] for the Wilderness are issued on a quota basis, there may not be space for your group in an alternative camp in the event that your group does not make its intended destination. In addition, your permit entitles you to stay only in the camp for which it was issued and only on the date for which it was issued. Permits are required 365 days a year for both dayhikes and overnight/multi-day trips in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

 

C U R R E N T   C O N D I T I O N S


The SGVA Backcountry Store

UPDATED: 18 JULY 2010

For additional reports from visitors, please see the Bulletin Board. See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water availability posted by Wilderness visitors. If you make a trip to the Wilderness and can provide an accurate and reliable trip report please email us!

ANY and ALL CAMPFIRES ARE PROHIBITED AND ILLEGAL IN THE SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS!

NOTE: AT YOUR OWN RISK! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE FOREST SERVICE OR THE SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION (SGWA) TO PROVIDE CURRENT OR REAL TIME CONDITIONS WITHIN THE WILDERNESS. INFORMATION PROVIDED BELOW IS TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BASED ON THE LATEST REPORTS WE HAVE FROM VOLUNTEERS AND THE PUBLIC. NEITHER THE FOREST SERVICE NOR THE SGWA ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY EVENTS RESULTING FROM RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION REPORTED BELOW. CONDITIONS IN THE WILDERNESS CAN CHANGE FROM HOUR TO HOUR. VISITORS SHOULD CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER REPORTS POSSIBLE AND BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST POSSIBLE CONDITIONS. YOU ENTER THE WILDERNESS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

BEAR SAFETY:
The SGWA in partnership with the US Forest Service
, San Bernardino National Forest offers bear canisters for rent at the Mill Creek Ranger Station starting at $10 for 1-3 nights.  We believe this will make it a little easier for everyone wanting to help protect the bears by properly storing food while out on the trail. Please contact the Mill Creek Ranger Station for more details (909) 382.2881


VIVIAN CREEK TRAIL

The first ¼ mile of the trail is closed. Please use the temporary reroute from the trailhead along Mill Creek wash to the bottom of the switchbacks.  Follow the signs and the yellow flagging.  Trail is clear of snow.  All creeks have very good water flow.  Please do not shortcut the switchbacks above High Creek.  Please use bear canisters for storing food and other “smellables” on overnight trips.

  • Vivian Creek - good water flow

  • Vivian Creek campsite: Camp to the RIGHT (East) of the trail and Vivian Creek. NO CAMPING left (West) of the trail and creek!

  • Halfway Camp - Bears in the area have become very persistent in their search for food and have managed to force visitors out of the camp several times in the past few years. Day and overnight hikers should use extra precautions to store food properly – BEAR CANISTERS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

  • High Creek - good water flow

  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.


SOUTH FORK TRAIL
 

Trails are clear of snow to the 10,500 foot level. On Sky High Trail there is a large patch of snow near the tarn that could be difficult to traverse in morning or evening hours. Use caution. Dry Lake is about half full with water. Lodgepole Springs has excellent water flow.  Dollar Lake is full of water, with the stream flowing very well into the Lake.  Please no camping within 200 feet of lake shorelines, and only camp in designated camping areas.

ABSOLUTELY NO CAMPING PERMITTED between the Wilderness Boundary sign (at Poopout Hill) and Dry or Dollar Lake Camps. Camping is entirely prohibited in the South Fork Meadows drainage. Please fill your water containers at South Fork Meadows and pack them into your designated camp at Dry Lake, Dollar Lake, or elsewhere. Thank you.

  • Lodgepole Spring: good water flow

  • Dry Lake: 50% full

  • Dollar Lake: full!

  • High Meadow Springs: good water flow

  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.


FISH CREEK TRAIL
 

High clearance vehicle is recommended to reach both Fish Creek and Aspen Grove trailheads. Fish Creek trail is clear of snow to Sky High Trail. On Sky High Trail there is a large patch of snow near the tarn that could be difficult to traverse in morning or evening hours. Use caution.   

  • Fish Creek Camp: good water flow

  • Fish Creek Saddle: no 2010 report

  • Mineshaft Flats: no 2010 report

  • Big Tree Camp: no 2010 report

  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.


SAN BERNARDINO PEAK TRAIL

Trail clear of snow to Limber Pine Camp.  Small snow patches exist above the camp to the peak, but can be traversed with little difficulty.  Use caution when traveling in morning or evening hours.  Limber Pine has good water flow.

  • Columbine Camp: no 2010 report

  • Limber Pine Bench Camp: no 2010 report

  • High Meadow Springs: good water flow

  • Trail Fork Springs: no 2010 report

  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.


FORSEE CREEK/JOHN'S MEADOW TRAIL

Trail is clear of snow to Jackstraw.  Trail Fork Springs and 10,000 Foot Ridge still has some snow that should be easy to traverse during daylight hours.  Use caution when traveling in morning or evening hours.  All water sources have excellent water flow.

  • Jackstraw Springs: water flowing well

  • Trail Fork Springs: no 2010 report

  • High Meadow Springs: water flowing well

  • John's Meadow: good water flow

  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.


MOMYER / FALLS CREEK TRAIL

Mill Creek has very high volume. Use caution when crossing the creek. Trail is grown in with buckthorn above Dobbs Junction.  Long pants and long sleeves are recommended.  All creeks have excellent water flow.  Please use bear canisters for storing food and other “smellables” on overnight trips.

  • ALL Water sources have GOOD flow (Alger, Dobbs, Saxton, Plummer Mdws);
  • See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water details.

 

KITCHING PEAK AREA

  • CLOSED TO ALL USE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! Contact the USFS for further details.


Please
, always take appropriate precautions, carry extra clothing and food, and notify someone at home of your itinerary. Be sure and follow the weather link above to stay tuned to the latest weather updates.

Visitors: If you are capable of providing detailed and accurate conditions, please email this site with details after your recent visit. Please note any down trees as well. Your cooperation is appreciated in providing other visitors with useful information. Thanks!

We apologize for any errors in the above information. If you should observe any impassable trail obstructions, bears, or mountain lions while on the trail, please notify us.

All contents © 1996-2010 San Gorgonio Wilderness Association
34701 Mill Creek Road | Mentone, CA | 92359
info@sgwa.org