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Southern California has hundreds of great mountains to climb, but it has only one king. At 11,499', San Gorgonio Mountain stands above all else. In fact, the 'minor' peaks in the San Gorgonio massif constitute the majority of Southern California's tallest peaks. forever set aside as the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
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The wilderness has habitats ranging from desert to alpine. The lush Vivian Creek region gets more rain than any other place in Southern California, and has old growth cedars that rival redwoods in size. Alpine slopes hold snow late into spring and provide backcountry enthusiasts with numerous recreation options such as snow boarding, tele-skiing and mountaineering. Because of its large size and habitat diversity, the wilderness is rich in wildlife, supporting thriving populations of coyote, fox, spotted owl, black bear, bighorn sheep, and golden eagle.
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Access to the wilderness is difficult. The 'easiest' approaches require several miles of off road driving followed by long uphill hikes. With 6,600' feet of stiff vertical, the Vivian Creek trail to the summit is favored by those training for difficult Sierra climbs. Get your permit early as there are sometimes summer shortages on weekends. You will also need to purchase an Adventure Pass.
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I hope you enjoy your visit to the wilderness. Once you've visited, you'll understand why it's my favorite place for a quick getaway.
Sincerely,
Greg, the trailgoon
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TRAIL PHOTOS:
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MAPS:
Detailed Topo Maps: click on a region for a detailed topo map:
(San Bernardino National Forest)
34701 Mill Creek Rd.
Mentone, California 92359
Telephone: (909) 794-1123
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WEATHER LINKS:
RADAR:
NOAA GEOS 10 Satellite images:
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RESORTS AND CAMS (located on the ridge just to the the north of the wilderness):
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OTHER LINKS-
 San Gorgonio Volunteer Association
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