San Gorgonio Wilderness

There is an extensive trail system within the wilderness. Most of the trailheads are located off Hwy 38 between Mill Creek and Bear Lake. The other major access is off I-10 at Whitewater Creek.

Day Hike - San Bernardino

One way length: 8.0 miles
Low and high elevation: 5,960 to 10,624 feet
Difficulty: moderate

A popular destination is the 8-mile hike to the summit of San Bernardino Peak (elevation 10,624 feet). This hike is long and climbs more than 4,600 feet, so it makes for a tough day hike but the rewards are the worth the effort. The views from the summit of San Bernardino Peak are tremendous. To find the trailhead from I-10 in Redlands, take Hwy 38 and travel 20 miles to the trailhead at the end of a short spur road by Camp Angelus.

The first part of the hike follows switchbacks up through a lovely forest of fir and pine, and comes to the wilderness boundary 2 miles from the trailhead. Although the grade moderates occasionally, most of the time you are hiking uphill, passing campsites at Columbine Spring and Limber Pine Bench—both with springs nearby that contain water. The trail continues its climb to where a short spur trail takes you to the final summit at 10,624 feet.

There are many opportunities for day hikes, as well as longer backpacking excursions. The following are only a few suggestions. You can see the general trail routes on the San Gorgonio Overview Map .

Day Hike - 7.8 miles - San Gorgonio

One way length: 7.0 miles
Low and high elevation: 6,080 to 11,501.6 feet
Difficulty: moderate

San Gorgonio Peak, also known as Old Grayback, is the highest peak in the San Gorgonio Wilderness and—like the hub of a wheel—more than a half dozen trails converge on its lofty summit. The Vivian Creek Trail, however, is considered by many to be the best way to the top. Be ready for some climbing, because you must ascend more than 1 mile in elevation between the trailhead and the summit. To reach the trailhead, take Hwy 38 from Redlands east to Forest Home Road, which you follow for another 5 miles to the parking lot.

The first part of the hike follows Vivian Creek to Vivian Creek Trail Camp, where lovely pine and fir shade the stream. The route then passes through small meadows and open pine forests all the way to High Creek Camp (elevation 9,000 feet)—a good, potential overnight campsite. The trail continues climbing, with increasingly better views as you pass some old ancient limber pine and lodgepole pine, reaching timberline at 11,000 feet. You pass two more trail junctions and reach the summit, where on clear days expansive views south to Mexico and north to the Sierra Nevada are possible. Mount San Jacinto, just to the south, seems so close you can almost reach out and touch it.

Day Hike

One way length: 4.7 miles
Low and high elevation: 4,400 to 6,598 feet
Difficulty: moderate

Kitching Peak lies at the headwaters of Whitewater Creek on the southern edge of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, accessible from the I-10 corridor by Banning Pass. The peak offers great views of both Mount San Gorgonio and Mount San Jacinto. To reach the trailhead, leave I-10 in Banning Pass at Fields Road and drive north through the Morongo Indian Reservation. Take Morongo Road into Millard Canyon and follow it to Forest Road 2S05. At the first junction make a hard right, then at the second junction take a left to reach the parking area at the end of the road.

The hike follows Little Kitching Creek up the east branch of Millard Canyon, ascending through oak and Douglas fir. After 2 miles the trail leaves the creek and climbs to a ridge where a signed junction is located. Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep. Turn right and take Trail 2E24 south along the ridge line through chaparral, and occasional fir and sugar pine to the summit, where exceptional views of the surrounding countryside await you.

Day Hike - Pacific Crest Trail

One way length: 14 miles
Low and high elevation: 2,000 to 9,000 feet
Difficulty: moderate

The best access into the newly added BLM wilderness lands on the southern part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness is via the Pacific Crest Trail. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses I-10 at Banning Pass and continues through the San Gorgonio Wilderness via Whitewater Creek. To find the trailhead, turn off I-10 at Whitewater Canyon Road some 40 miles east of San Bernardino. Go north up the canyon for 4 miles to a parking area on the western side of the creek. The trail follows the creek and crosses a ridge into Mission Creek and eventually enters the higher elevation forested sections of the San Bernardino National Forest.