Hiking Trail Guide: San Bernardino Peak

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San Bernardino Peak

Distance
16 miles

Elevation
5100 feet gain

Difficulty
10/10

City
Forest Falls ,CA (92339) 69.41 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 10 Freeway to Redlands, exit Ford, head North and follow Ford (it will turn into Judson) to Lugonia. There are no signs in Redlands that this is the 38, but it is. Turn right, heading East towards the mountains. Two and a half miles down the road, you will see Mill Creek Ranger Station. You need to stop here and get your permit. If you go during the week, getting the free permit should not be a problem, weekends maybe (most people want to go to San Gorgonio, so you might be okay anyway.)

Continue on the 38, until you see the sign for Angelus Oaks. The trail is not marked from this direction, so as soon as you enter Angelus Oaks, turn right onto a road with some houses, follow it until you see the signs for the trail and trail parking. Park away from the roadway and begin your hike

Description

This trail is a no-nonsense elevation gainer. however, it maintains a steady grade for a large portion of the trip. You begin in a mixed oak/pine forest and briskly head up the side of the ridge. Two miles into the trail you enter the San Gorgonio Wilderness, which is marked by a sign. The trail evens off a bit here, but not too much. You will be climbing and climbing some more. In two more miles you will reach a relatively flat area covered with Manzanita and chaparral. This flat area is your halfway reprieve, and it continues until you reach the trail junction for Columbine Springs and John's Meadow.

From here it is 3.6 miles up and up to the top, I can't say much for the view, because I went during very wintry weather, and I couldn't see a thing. I imagine that on a clear day though, you can see all of Southern California.

One neat thing is that you pass Colonel Washington's baseline monument which was the 1852 survey point for all land in SoCal.

Map / Directions: