"San G"
(From Vivian Creek)
There are four well trekked trail heads for approaching this mountain: South Fork, Fish Creek, Momyer, and Vivian Creek. This page will detail the trek from Vivian Creek trail head.
Quick Details:
DIFFICULTY: Challenging to Advanced
DISTANCE: ~ 18.5 miles (30km)…RT
TIME: Between 7 to 10 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 5,560’ (1,694m)
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 11,503’ (3,506m)
(Not recommended for beginner hikers)
A wilderness permit is required for all groups entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness area, so it's important to RSVP for this trek so we can get an accurate head-count for the permit.
Where to Meet Up
– Find us around the trail head at the Vivian Creek Trail parking area, at the far eastern end of the parking/picnic area.
– Facilities:
– Restrooms are available at the parking lot and picnic area.
Parking:
– In Google Maps:
Look up “Vivian Creek Trail Parking Lot”
The address is: 41900 Falls Rd, Forest Falls, CA 92339
You’ll need to display a National Forest Adventure Pass (or an America the Beautiful Pass) when parking
Parking fills up early on the weekends. If the parking/picnic area is full, there’s another gravel parking area outside the main gate towards the “Big Falls Trail Head”
THE PLAN:
Plan for an all-day trek, with almost 5,600’ of elevation gain, Spectacular 360º views from the summit at 11,503′
Ascent Route:
– Vivian Creek Trail (6106′) to the summit (11,503’)
Descent Route 1:
– Out and Back the way we came, Vivian Creek Trail
Descent Route 2:
– As an optional thru-hike down to South Fork Trail Head in Angelus Oaks (adds 5 miles)
Descent Route 3:
– As an optional thru-hike down to Fish Creek Trail Head in Angelus Oaks. A pick up car will be needed at Fish Creek (adds 3 miles)
What to Bring
Gear List:
Footwear:
– Well broken in trail runners or lightweight hiking boots (Trail runners work well on this trail) –
(sneakers may ok for this trail if the weather is clear)
– Light-weight to Mid-weight socks … (be familiar with the brand/style)
– Gators are ‘optional’
– (NO BRAND NEW FOOTWEAR)
Sun Protection:
– Hat (cap or wide brim hat) – Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna
– Sunglasses
Wind Protection:
– Beanie
– Belaclava (optional)
– Gloves
– Wind shell
Pocket Calories
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt:
-Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Tic Tacs
– Whatever you bring on a race… bring that!
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … it will get sweaty
– Shorts or convertible hiking pants (summer)
– Base layer (capelene)
– Mid Layer
Be prepared for adverse weather. It can snow up here in the summertime!
Trekking Poles:
– Highly Recommended
Pack List:
Capacity/Size:
– 13 liters to 18 liters will be fine. (Larger packs for winter ascents)
– A trail running vest also works if you want to go fast and light (just minimize contents to bare minumum)
Water:
– 1.5 liters
– Bring an EMPTY 1 liter bottle (like a Nalgene) or bladder (like a Platypus) which we will fill at the spring at High Camp (5.6 miles in)
– Bring a FULL .5 liter (12oz bottle) or accessory bottle to drink along the way from the trailhead to the spring.
– A 32oz bottle of gatorade (full sugar) can take care of most your water and glucose needs. It’s just extra weight to bring from the bottom.
We will refill all the empty bottles at the spring and will carry the heaviest water load from there to the summit. This will give us enough for the complete descent regardless of our descent route.
Food:
– Bring a snack like an apple or a granola bar
– Bring a small lunch item like a wrap or sandwich
– (optional extras) like trail mix or cookies, something with high calories.
– Pack extra emergency glucose, like gels, glucose tabs, or candy that won’t melt in the heat.
Layers:
– Wind jacket
– Beanie
– Light gloves
– Mid-layer (anything with long sleeves will work, just nothing too bulky) – Extra pair of socks (light weight)
Expect it to be windy and chilly at the summit. We can add or subtract layers as needed.
Other Pack Essentials:
– Headlamp
– Batteries
– Knife
– Tylenol
– Antacid
– Camera
– TP
– Glucose meter + strips
– CGM backup
– Emergency insulin (in cooling pack like a frio) either pen or vial+syringe
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit (small)
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Charger+Cords
– GPS
– Map
– Emergency Blanket(s)
– Water Filter
– Emergency glucose
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Other Notes:
Parking requires a National Forest Adventure Pass.
$5 for a day pass (these can be picked up in Forest Falls)
$30 for an annual pass (these can be purchased on-line, in town, at REI, at Adventure 16, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and most sporting goods stores in southern California)
On the weekends, Parking fills up pretty quick at the trailhead. If you arrive at the trailhead at 9am, you might be out of luck, however, theres usually more parking outside the parking lot gate at a big gravel lot towards the Big Falls Trail Head. You just have to walk an extra 10 minutes up to the trailhead.
Theres a restroom at the trailhead picnic area.
For more info or questions, email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
Other Stuff:
LNT:
We will be traveling in a protected national forest ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
