Hiking Trail Guide: San Gorgonio Peak via Fish Creek

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San Gorgonio Peak via Fish Creek

Distance
18 miles

Elevation
3200 feet gain

Difficulty
10/10

City
Mentone ,CA (92359) 65.49 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From the east bound 10 in Redlands, exit on Orange Street and follow the signs for highway 38, which heads east into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. About 5 miles along highway 38, stop at the Mill Creek Ranger Station and pick up a permit for this hike (you may want to call ahead for permit reservations). Continue along highway 38 for another 25 or 30 miles to the turn off for Fish Creek and bear right. After a short paved section of road, follow the dirt forest service road IN05 for 10 miles to the Fish Creek trail head.

Description

This hike is a significant and spectacular all day adventure. The hike starts deep in the San Gorgonio Wilderness at the 8200 foot level, and travels 9 miles to the 11,499 foot San Gorgonio Peak. The trail starts out along the banks of Fish Creek, passing a lovely meadow, and wonderful pine forests. As you gradually gain elevation, the trees begin to thin out and the landscape becomes progressively more rugged. As you near the tree line, you begin see the fascinating Limber Pine, with its twisted and bent form. The barren peak provides you with stunning views hundreds of miles in every direction. It was quite something to look across the desert and Palm Springs to see Mount San Jacinto directly across from us.

One of the more unusual aspects of this hike is the wreckage of a DC3 cargo plane that crashed in the 1950s. The fuselage and wings literally straddled the trail. Make sure to take lots of water, as this hike could take up to 12 hours including breaks and lunch.

Map / Directions: