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Forest Service Press Release April 1, 2022:

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif —San Bernardino National Forest managers reopened areas closed due to the 2020 El Dorado Fire today. The reopening includes the Thurman Flats Picnic Area and popular trails, such as the San Bernardino Peak and Foresee Creek. Areas outside the burn scar closed due debris flow concerns, such as trails and recreation cabin areas, are also now open.

Visitors are forewarned that they will be entering a burn scar where hazards may persist. Those include falling trees and limbs, loose rocks and ash pits, and trails blocked by debris or with washouts.

Forest staff and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association, a Forest partner, will continue to address trail work over the summer and into future years. One of the first projects will re-establish the John’s Meadow backcountry camp area, which will be closed to overnight camping in the short term.

Free permits are required for day and overnight trips into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. They can be obtained online on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association’s website. Recreation passes, such as the Adventure Pass, are required to park at Thurman Flats Picnic Area.

Visitors with questions can call the Mill Creek Ranger Station at 909-382-2882 Thursday through Monday, 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Our incredible volunteers donated over 11,000 hours of work devoted to the Wilderness last year. We maintained miles of trail – removing over 400 fallen trees, met over 18,000 visitors in and out of the Wilderness, and implemented a FREE permit reservation service. Read about our volunteers and their activities below. There’s a link to download the PDF on this page.

it’s a new year and time for a new Newsletter. Read all about the upcoming Banff Mountain Film Festival, and our featured volunteer Alfredo Zarate

A little late but still newsworthy! Read about what we accomplished last year and meet some outstanding volunteers. If you would prefer to download the PDF, you can find the link here.

Permits are again available for the Wilderness; please go to the Permits page to request one. The following is from the US Forest Service news release:

“The San Bernardino National Forest, with some exceptions, will reopen on Thursday, September 23. We are thankful that overall fire activity in California has decreased, allowing more of our firefighters to return to their home forest. It’s important to note, however, that fire restrictions will remain in effect. Open-flame campfires and BBQs, smoking and target shooting, among other activities, will continue to be prohibited.Upon reopening, staff will begin taking down closure signs and reopening gates as fast as possible. Patience is appreciated during this process if some areas appear to still be closed on Thursday. Two foothill areas, however, will remain closed for public safety. Both of these sit in areas with dry vegetation where fires can move rapidly under current conditions:- Closed to all traffic, including pedestrians: City Creek Road (1N09) between Hwy 330 and Bear Creek, Alder Creek Road (1N16) and Santa Ana Road (1N13) to limit visitors becoming entrapped on these mid-slope roads. Additionally, illegal target shooting has been rampant in this area despite fire restrictions, signage and law enforcement presence.- Closed to vehicles: Big Tree Cucamonga Road (1N34), a 12-mile mid-slope road that is one-way-in, one-way-out.Other areas where long-term closures were previously in place, such as the El Dorado and Apple fire burn scars, will remain closed. The one change will be the area around Lytle Creek, which was closed due to the 819-acre South Fire (100% contained) in late August; that closure area will reopen Thursday.As always, visitors are encouraged to “know before you go” by direct messaging us or calling ranger stations to check on the open status of specific recreation facilities, such as campgrounds, which are beginning to close for the season. Thank you!”

USFS has extended the closure on the San Bernardino National Forest through September 22, 2021. Any permits for the Wilderness for the period between Sept 17 and Sept 22 are being cancelled. We will not be issuing any permits, for any dates, until the closure is lifted. If you have any questions please contact us via the form on this website.

Sorry everyone, we know it’s disappointing.

Our trail crews were so busy this summer – take a look at what they’ve accomplished. Our featured volunteer this month is Domenic Wager, who’s been with SGWA since 2007. Read about it and more in the newsletter. If you’d like to download the PDF directly, this is the link.