Date Hiked: 7-30 to 7-31-2011

Trip Report:
This was a trip with the peakbaggers meet up group. The plan was to start at the Momyer trailhead, hike to Saxton camp then hike to the summit. The total mileage was around 26 with an elevation gain around 6000.

San Gorgonio

Dave and I arrived at the Mill Creek ranger station around 8:15 and met the other guys in the group. The weather report said a chance of storms for the entire weekend. After driving to the trailhead we started hiking, the trip to Saxton camp was uneventful. It was humid, hot but the trail was nice. A few minutes before we arrived at camp the weather broke. We quickly set up camp as the rain began to fall. There was also quite a bit of thunder and lightning.

Yucaipa Ridge

Campsite

Plummer Meadows

Charlton Peak

After a few hours the storm let up and it began to slowly clear. Originally the plan was to wake up early Sunday and hike to the peak but after reading the weather forecast we decided out best chance at the summit would be this afternoon. We geared up and left camp around 3:15. The hike to Dollar Lake saddle was easy, the trail wondered through Plummer Meadows. The weather was much cooler thanks to the thunderstorm. There was still a chance for another storm so we all watched the sky and were prepared to turn around if needed.

Jepson Peak in the Clouds

The Ridge I Descended in March

The higher we hiked the cloudier it became.

In the Clouds

Michael Setting a Nice Pace

Chris Hiking Up the Trail

Eventually as we rounded Jepson Peak we could see the summit area of San Gorgonio.

San Gorgonio Summit Area

Jepson Peak

Around the time we reached the intersection with the Vivian Creek trail the clouds began to clear.

Jepson Peak

San Gorgonio Summit Area

Around 6:00 PM we arrived at the summit. It took a little less than 3 hours from camp to hike the 6 miles to the summit. The clouds were still clearing but the views were beginning to open up. As we were arriving at the summit Paul, Mark and Aaron were leaving they arrived awhile before us and were getting cold so decided to head back to camp. In our group was Michael, Chris, Gong, Dave and myself.

July 30th

March 12th

We stayed on the summit for about 15 minutes before heading back to camp. We did not want to stay to long because we were not sure what the weather was going to do. As we made our way down it began to rain steadily there was also some hail mixed in with the rain.

Gong Chris and Dave Headed Back Down

Rain Headed Our Way

Jepson Peak

Dave and Michael Headed Down the Trail

San Gorgonio Summit Area

Dragonshead

Jepson Bowl

Ridge Down to the South Fork

Little Charlton Peak

Jepson Peak

We made good time down the mountain reaching Dollar Lake saddle in just over an hour and a half. The weather had cleared up by this time and we finally got to see the sun again.

Little Charlton Peak

San Gorgonio

San Gorgonio Through the Trees

As we were headed down from Dollar Lake saddle we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Sunset

We arrived at camp around 8:30 for a five hour round trip. We talked for awhile then went to sleep. Around 4:30 the next morning we heard thunder and saw lightning. This lasted for an hour and a half. As we broke camp and made our way back to car it rained most of the way. We were glad we decided to go for the summit the night before because there was no way we were making it today. We finally made it back to the car around 9:30 as it began to rain harder, we got out just in time. Overall this was a fun trip up a different trail to San Gorgonio.

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Date Hiked: 3-12-2011

Trip Report:
I was back to give San Gorgonio another shot before the winter was over. The plan for this trip also included the remainder of the 8 peaks along the ridge from San Gorgonio to San Bernardino Peak. This would be done over a span of two days.

Jepson Peak to San Bernardino Peak

I left Friday night for the South Fork trailhead. I got a descent night sleep and right on time Mark, Cory and Ron showed up. I threw my things together and we began hiking at 6:10 AM. The first portion of the trail was nice and packed. We made quick time to the wilderness boundary and Poopout Hill.

Wilderness Boundary

Not to long after we crossed Horse Meadow. Snow conditions were similar to January when I was in the area last. The difference between the two trips was how much warmer it was during this trip. It was still early in the morning and I was already getting warm. Above Horse Meadow we crossed the avalanche path below Charlton Peak.

Avalanche Path

Sugarloaf Mountain

Mark in the Avalanche Path

Cory and Ron About to Cross

We made good time to South Fork Meadows where we stopped and filled our water. From here we climbed the steep ridge to the plateau above and to the west of Dry Lake. This is where we camped last January.

San Gorgonio from the Plateau

Jepson Peak

We traveled around the small hill which guards the actual north face of the mountain. From here we decided to follow the left of the two couloirs along far left side of the couloir.

Traveling Around the Hill

Jepson Peak

Little Charlton and Charlton Peak

Beginning the Long Climb

Heading Through the Gully Around the Hill

Sugarloaf Mountain

The snow along the bottom of the couloir was deep and inconsistent so we used snow shoes. As we climbed higher and higher I developed a rhythm 50 steps rest 10 seconds repeat. This worked well for most of the couloir. As I climbed higher there was less steps and more rest.

Little Charlton and Charlton Peak

Looking Up the Couloir

My Path Up the Mountain

About halfway up the couloir the consistency of the snow changed. There was a foot of powder over a hard-packed layer. I changed to crampons at this point and began kicking steps up the mountain. It was tough work breaking trail. I tried to concentrate on the keeping a rhythm.

The South Fork

The Ridge to the Other 8 Peaks

Mark Following my Boot Track with Cory and Ron Behind

Snow is Getting Icy

You Can Almost See the Desert Now

Getting Closer to the Top with the Entire Ridge in View

Near the top of the couloir the snow became extremely ice. We had to concentrate on each foot placement. This would not be a good place to slip especially with the large packs we were carrying.

Getting Closer

Mark Climbing the Final Section to the Top of the Couloir

Is this Really Southern California?

The Entire Ridge in all its Glory

Once Mark and I reached the top of the ridge we waited for Cory and Ron. Around this time I began to get a headache and fell nauseous. I had felt this many times before and knew it was due to the altitude. I now know my altitude limit with no acclimation is right around 11,000 feet. I do not feel any effects on San Jacinto (10,834) and did not feel anything until near the top of the ridge (11,000?). I was hoping that a few minutes rest, water and food would make me feel better but I could not keep any of it down. Eventually Cory and Ron met us and we left for the summit. We left our packs where we were because we were going to come back for them (this is why the GPS track does not go all the way to the summit).

Looking Down the Couloir

Sugarloaf Mountain and Grinnell Peak

The Ridge to San Bernardino Peak Again

San Gorgonio Summit

Mt. San Jacinto

Myself on the Summit

Looking Out to the Desert

San Jacinto Close Up

San Gorgonio North Face

I did not stay on the summit long because my AMS symptoms were getting worse. I told the rest of the guys I needed to go down, I have been doing this long enough to know my body. On my way back from the summit I could not get a deep breath. Every time I tried I would have a coughing fit. I knew this could be symptom of early HAPE but was not sure. I was begining to get worried and knew I needed to get down ASAP. I took a different ridge back to the bottom of the couloir. This ridge was not as steep as the one we had ascended earlier. Even with a full pack I made good time down the ridge back to our January camping spot. My headache and nausea were gone but I still could not get a full breath. I continued descending down the ridge to South Fork meadows, Poopout Hill, Horse camp and eventually the trailhead. I did not eat anything the entire time I descended, I could not keep it down. I knew I had just about pushed the limit with this trip, which is funny because I had done longer trips in the past. Anyway it was still nice being in the mountains for future trips above 11K I will have to acclimate for at least a few days.

My Descent Route

South Fork Panorama

San Gorgonio Summit Panorama

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Date Hiked: 1-22 to 1-23-2011

Trip Report:
I have wanted to hike San Gorgonio in winter for quite awhile. I had never been up the South Fork in the summer or winter so I wanted to go with a group that knew the area. There was a meetup posted with the SoCal Hikers and Peakbaggers which I joined.

San Gorgonio from our Campsite

We met around 8AM at the South Fork trailhead and a little while later left up the trail. The conditions from the trailhead were perfect, there was a solid trail which had been packed down since the last round of storms. I started up the trail wearing only my mountaineering boots. We made descent time considering each of us was carrying about 50 pounds of gear. The weather was clear and warm the entire trip to camp.

Trail Near Horse Camp

Avalanche Path

Sugarloaf Peak Above the Bottom of the Avalanche Path

Stream Near South Fork Meadows

Once we got to South Fork Meadows we took a lunch break. I was feeling strong at this point and glad to be spending the weekend in the mountains. We left the packed trail a short ways past South Fork Meadows and began to climb a ridge which would lead us to our camp site. This is also the point at which we put on snowshoes. The ridge was not bad but took some time climbing. Eventually we made it to the top and wondered through the rolling hills to camp.

Charlton Peak

Mark Climbing the Ridge

Looking Up the Ridge

Rolling into Camp

Mark decided he did not want to camp at Dry Lake. Since he was the only one who had been in this area before we followed his lead and found a great place. We did not see another person the entire time we were at camp. After setting up camp we ate and enjoyed the scenery.

San Gorgonio From Camp

Our Path to Camp

Our Tent Site

We watched as the sun set behind Jepson peak and the light slowly faded on San Gorgonio.

Cornice on the Summit Ridge

Route to the Summit

Making Dinner Around Camp

Final Light on San Gorgonio

Sunset

After the sun had set we got ready and went to bed. We were planning on waking up early around 3:30 to get to the top and watch the sunrise. I slept off and on throughout the night and woke up around 3:00. I ate a little bit as I got ready to leave but started to feel nauseous. The elevation was only 9200 feet so I didn’t think AMS was the issue. I continued to get ready and finish packing my things. All of the sudden I threw up everything I had eaten, I was not feeling well. This happened about 4 times. I was not sure whether to continue or throw in the towel. I decided to give it a shot, I knew I would regret not at least trying for the summit. Mark and I left around 4:15 and made our way up the slope. Not to long after this I threw up again. This time I decided to go back, I did not have the energy to continue to the top and would have to wait for another time. I left Mark and made my way back to camp. I slept for a few hours but still felt sick. Eventually we packed up and headed down the mountain. The lower we went the better I felt, I was surprised I got AMS at 9200 feet. This is the lowest elevation it has ever happened.

Although I got sick I had a great time with all the guys on the trip enjoying the scenery and spending time in the mountains.

Mark’s pictures from the summit

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San Diego Bay to Cuyamaca Peak

Our flight path took us on a northeast path through San Diego County, this gave me a perfect vantage point for taking photos. The photo below shows I-15 winding past Little Black Mountain. The flat ridge past this is Palomar Mountain. The two large peaks on the right and the left and San Jacinto and San Gorgonio.

San Gorgonio San Jacinto and Palomar Mountain

This photo is a panorama of the mountains in southern California. It stretches from San Diego Bay to San Gorgonio. From left to right the mountains are San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, Toro Peak, Rabbit Peak, and Cuyamaca Peak.

SoCal Peaks Panorama

Here is a close up of Toro Peak. The range in the bottom portion of the photo is Mission Trails Park. The range in the central left part of the photo includes Iron Mountain and Mt. Woodson.

Toro Peak

Otay Mountain is in the bottom right corner of this photo. This mountian is close to the Mexican border. In the top portion of the photo is Mt. Baldy.

Otay Mountain to Mt. Baldy

This photo shows Santiago Peak, the Orange County highpoint, and Mt. Baldy, the LA county highpoint.

Santiago Peak and Mt. Baldy

Here is a photo of Palomar mountain and Mt. Baldy. The 200 in. Hale Telescope can be seen on Palomar Mountain.

Palomar Mountain and Mt. Baldy

This is a photo of San Gorgonio and San Jacinto.

San Gorgonio and San Jacinto

Date Hiked: 6-27-2010

Trip Report:
San Gorgonio is the highest mountain in southern California and a very enjoyable hike. It rises to 11,499 feet above sea level. This was my second time hiking San Gorgonio. I had hiked this peak once 7 years before from the same trailhead. This is also the most popular trail. There must have been at least 50 people hiking on Saturday.

San Gorgonio Summit

This hike was through Calvary Chapel North Coast’s Hiking Group. We left at 7:30 from Vivian Creek and made good progress through the creek area. The trail has been rerouted through the creek because there is maintenance being done on the main trail.

The Trailhead

The Trail to the Creek

The trail from the creek is steep switchbacks to the top of the canyon. This is the steepest part of the entire trip. It did not take us long to get to the of this first section and began making our way to Halfway Camp. As we got higher we could see Mt. Baldy to the west

Mt. Baldy

Looking Towards Dobbs Peak

Eventually we reached the junction to Halfway camp. We took a short break and continued higher. It was warm by this point although most of the trail through this section was in the shade. We made it to high creek about 2 hours after starting.

High Creek Camp

The trail switchbacks awhile above High Creek camp until there is a small saddle. The views are great of the desert and San Jacinto from here. You also begin to see the upper mountain from here.

San Jacinto

The Trail Beyond the Small Saddle

The trail switchbacks a little ways but then goes straight up. Above this point the trees also begin to thin out.

The Upper Mountain

The Trail

Looking Out Toward the Inland Empire

The higher you hike the better the views get.

San Jacinto

The Trail Near the Final Junction

A Little Higher

I enjoyed this portion of the trail the most because it feels like a more serious hike than it actually is. It feels like the Sierra once you are above the tree line.

Snow Near the Summit

In the picture above the summit is out of sight and to the left of the snow patch. Also you can see four people above the cross the snow. Eventually we can to the final junction. It is marked by this sign

Junction Near the Summit

It was only a short distance from here to the summit. The summit area is high and can accommodate many people. I started feeling the altitude above 10,500 feet on the way up. When I hike San Jacinto a few weeks ago I took two Excedrin and felt great. I did the same today and although I was higher I didn’t think the extra 700 feet would make a difference. Well the Excedrin did not work very well, I still felt nauseous. It had taken us 4.5 hours to reach the summit. It was windy and cool on top, I was amazed the temperature difference that only a few hundred feet made. We didn’t stay on the summit for more than a half hour before we were ready to head out.

San Gorgonio North Face

My Summit Picture

As we made our way down there were still many people heading up. I also begin to feel better the lower we got.

Bart Heading Down

We crossed a few snow fields on the way down, all above 10,000 feet. It is amazing how fast the snow has melted during the past month.

Snow Field

We made good time going down and only stopped a few times to take a few pictures.

Interesting Trees

Flowers

We made it back down to the car for a round trip time of 8.5 hours including the half hour we spent on the summit. It was a great day with great people. I am looking forward to doing this hike again in the winter.

The Final Junction

Near the Summit

The North Face

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