Trip Planner

This chart will help you select trails which have natural features you desire for your next visit. This Trip Planner was designed as a rough guide to help you get the most enjoyment out of your trip, or try a new trail you haven’t been on before. It was not designed to be the ultimate planning guide. It is up to you get out and explore the San Gorgonio Wilderness to find what is special and unique about it to you. Please note: ALL CAMPFIRES ARE ILLEGAL in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Water Sources

Big Tree

Dollar Lake

Fish Creek Camp

Fish Creek Saddle

Halfway Trail Camp

High Creek Trail Camp

Lodgepole Spring

Mineshaft Flat

South Fork Meadows

Vivian Trail Camp

Alger Creek

Dobbs Camp

Saxton Camp

For the latest trail and water conditions within the San Gorgonio Wilderness go to Switchbacks. This is a user-generated / crowdsourced map, especially concerning water sources, it is not guaranteed to be correct.

  • Indicates only “flowing” perennial creeks or streams. This does not include seeps or springs. The absence of such does not indicate that the entire trail is dry, rather “creekside splendor” is not a feature. Click here for information on water sources near camps.

  • As stated.

  • Most of the trails in the Wilderness will have some form of wildflower blooming at the height of mountain spring (June/July). Those indicated have a greater amount, greater diversity, and/or are “famed” for their wildflowers. Winter precipitation may greatly vary localized flower displays. See Flora and Fauna for more information on wildflowers.

  • Indicates trails which offer at least sections of shade and respite from sun exposure. Conversely, these same trails may be bone-chilling in the spring or autumn. Generally, the south facing trails in the Wilderness receive full sun exposure and may be quite hot during the height of summer.

  • Indicates trails which offer a greater degree of awe inspiring trailside vistas. Southern slope trails offer vistas of the greater southern California urban areas, northern slope trails offer views of the Santa Ana Canyon and/or the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains.

  • Indicates that the stated trail has trail camps which offer great views from within camp or just a few minutes from your tent.

  • There are only two lakes in the Wilderness: Dry Lake and Dollar Lake. Both of them are dependent on winter rains and snow, and may be dry later in the season.

  • Meadows may be found alongside or nearby the stated trail. Meadows are fragile areas and all visitors are required to stay off the meadows. Please click the link for more information on Minimum Impact Ethics aka Leave No Trace.

  • An indication of how crowded a trail will be. This ranking is based on weekend travel. Most weekday journeys to the Wilderness will find solitude even on a typically “busy” trail.

  • Easy, moderate, or difficult. This too, is a subjective evaluation. This takes into account the total elevation gain and number of miles from trailhead or trail start to trail terminus or where it joins another trail. One individual may find an easy rated trail difficult, and another individual may find a difficult rated trail moderate.