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: 02 DEC 2009

For additional reports from visitors, see the Bulletin Board and the Wilderness Journal. See the WATER INFO COLLECTOR for the latest water availability posted by Wilderness visitors.

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.

If you make a trip to the Wilderness and can provide an accurate and reliable trip report please email us!
 

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

Bear activity has been observed from Halfway Camp to High Creek Camp.  Day and overnight hikers should use extra precautions to store food properly – BEAR CANISTERS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Water availability excellent at Vivian, Halfway, and High Creek Camps.

  • 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 weeks. 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
 

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: low water flow

  • Dry Lake: low water (almost dry)

  • Dollar Lake: is a mud puddle and the spring that normally feeds the lake is dry or underground. Nearest water source is South Fork Meadows or High Meadow Springs.

  • High Meadow Springs: good water flow (2+ gals per minute reported on 5/17/2009)

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


FISH CREEK TRAIL
 

  • Fish Creek Camp: good water flow

  • Fish Creek Saddle: no water

  • Mineshaft Flats: excellent water flow reported on 5/25/09 (2-3 gallons per minute)

  • Big Tree Camp: no 2009 report

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


SAN BERNARDINO PEAK TRAIL

  • Columbine Camp: no 2009 report

  • Limber Pine Bench Camp: no 2009 report

  • High Meadow Springs: good water flow (2+ gals per minute reported on 5/17/2009)

  • Trail Fork Springs: no 2009 report

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


FORSEE CREEK/JOHN'S MEADOW TRAIL

  • Jackstraw Springs: good water flow

  • Trail Fork Springs: trickling water

  • High Meadow Springs: good water flow (2+ gals per minute reported on 5/17/2009)

  • John's Meadow: good water flow

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


MOMYER / FALLS CREEK TRAIL

  • 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 © 1996-2009 San Gorgonio Wilderness Association
34701 Mill Creek Road | Mentone, CA | 92359
info@sgwa.org