The majority of people take the most direct route to the Summit of San Gorgonio, which is an up and back hike of Vivian Creek Trail. A Momyer to Vivian Creek Trail loop offers a strenuous but rewarding alternative. This is a multi-day hike thru the southern San Bernardino National Forest, including a summit of San Gorgonio Mountain. Two nights and three days makes for a good pace that provides enough time to really enjoy the experience.

This hike is 23 miles, with 6100 feet of elevation gain and 5400 feet of loss coming back down.

Permits are required for all hiking in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Contact - Mill Creek Ranger Station
34701 Mill Creek Road
Mentone, Ca. 92359
(909) 382-2882

Day-1

Park at the trailhead for Vivian Creek at the end of Valley of The Falls Blvd past Forest Falls. An Adventure Parking Pass is required. Walk back down the road you came in on for 1.7 miles or leave a second car at the Momyer trailhead. The trailhead and dirt parking area is on the right about 100 yards past the Forest Falls Fire Station.This takes about 25 minutes and is all downhill. Plan for an early start as the first 3 miles or so up the trail are south facing and exposed to the afternoon sun.

The trail picks up directly across Mill Creek from the parking area. Mill Creek is a wide boulder and rock strewn riverbed. Be careful with your footing. You will be starting at an elevation of 5400 feet. At 3.7 miles is Alger Creek Camp, elevation 7040, this is a very nice camp among the trees with a strong flowing creek. Stock up on water here as the next direct source will be at Saxton Camp, which is your first nights camp. Saxton is 3.5 miles and 1350 feet of elevation gain up the trail. At 1.6 miles beyond Alger Camp is the unmarked trail intersection for Dobbs Camp. To continue on to Saxton, be careful to bear left taking the trail that continues on up slope.

Although not part of this trip, Dobbs Camp could be a great destination all on its own, set along a creek among trees and ferns. Dobbs has a strong running creek and is a good source for water, but requires a side trip of .6 of a mile roundtrip, with about 300 feet of elevation loss and gain. Another 1.9 miles past the trail intersection to Dobbs is Saxton Camp, elevation 8360. About .2 miles before reaching Saxton, you will cross a small creek. This is the water source for the camp. Saxton Camp is just off the trail on your right coming up slope and is signed.

Day-2

Plan your second day carefully. From Saxton to the summit takes about 5 hours with full backpacks. The elevation gain is about 3200 feet over 6 miles. The only reliable water source is at Saxton. In wet years there is a small creek which is crossed about a mile above Saxton at Plummer Meadow. Much of this leg of the hike is at or above the tree line so it is very exposed to afternoon heat and wind. Also keep an eye on the sky as thunderstorms are common during hot summer afternoons. Break camp early, carry plenty of water and be prepared to retreat back down Momyer or Vivian if the sky’s become at all threatening.

At 2.3 miles above Saxton you reach Dollar Lake Saddle elevation 9970, where the Forsee Creek and Dollar Lake trails come up from the north and meet. Bear right, south to San Gorgonio. Dry Lake View camp is 1.2 miles beyond and is a great spot to pause have a snack and take in the spectacular views of Jepson Peak and Dry Lake in the distant valley below.

From Dry Lake View to the intersection with Vivian Creek trail is another 2 miles. The trail is signed. You are now .6 of a mile from the summit. If not planning a summit camp, stash your packs here and finish the hike to the summit with water and snacks. At the summit you are standing at 11,500 feet, the highest point in Southern California.

If not planning a summit camp or if the weather is at all marginal, drop back down to the Vivian Creek Trail intersection, retrieve your packs and continue down the Vivian Creek Trail. Its 2 miles down to High Creek Camp, elevation 9230. There is a very reliable creek here and several good camp sites. High Creek is a good spot to end the second day. Be sure to pick a site that is well up away from the creek. (The San Gorgonio Wilderness camping regulation reads - All camping within 200 feet of meadows, springs, streams, trails or other occupied camps is prohibited.) This is not only to protect the wilderness enviornment. I have seen the entire High Creek area turned into a river of mud and rocks about twenty minutes into an afternoon thunderstorm in late July.

Day-3

Its about 5 miles from High Creek Camp down to the Vivian Creek trailhead, elevation 6080. Along the way you will pass thru Halfway followed by Vivian Creek Camps, both have water. The final half mile is a steep set of switchbacks down to Mill Creek. After exiting the trail re-cross Mill Creek as you did at the Momyer trailhead. Then pickup the dirt road that parallels the Creek. Follow it downstream for about half a mile to the parking lot. Sections of the road can be washed out, just keep walking downstream paralleling Mill Creek.

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