San Gorgonio Hike on the Vivian Creek Trail

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Easily the most popular San Gorgonio hike route, the Vivian Creek Trail is an iconic adventure up to the highest point in SoCal, at 11,503 feet. Vivian Creek is popular because it’s the shortest and most accessible route, but it’s also the steepest, so expect a good workout on your way to the summit. It’s a beautiful hike through pines, cedars, and streams and then up to the barren moon-like landscape above the tree line. From the summit, you’ll enjoy sweeping views from Nevada to the Channel Islands. Many people hike it in a day, but you can also make it an overnight backpacking trip. In this guide, I’ll give you everything you need to know for either option.
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Experience the unmatched beauty of Southern California's great outdoors on the San Gorgonio Hike via the Vivian Creek Trail. This iconic trail, recognized as one of the most stunning and challenging hiking destinations in the region, offers panoramic vistas of lush forests, sparkling streams, and high altitude views that will take your breath away. Journey to the highest peak in Southern California, San Gorgonio Mountain, by traversing the magnificent Vivian Creek Trail. This alluring destination attracts nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike. Embark on a San Gorgonio Hike and immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty that Southern California's landscape has to offer. Experience the thrill of hiking, the serenity of nature, and the accomplishment of reaching the summit on this unforgettable trail.

[@trevordixon1613]

I used to do this trail as therapy after losing people I loved, I’ve picked up numerous pounds of trash on this trail and cried as I watched my solace burn. Thank you for letting me re live the journey I haven’t taken in years

[@durzoblint415]

I hope you’re doing well ❤️

[@dtna]

Yep! I was taught to "Pack it in and pack it out". Also, "To take only pictures and leave only footprints".

[@kennykeyboard]

We have a trailhead sign at a San Diego city hike which tells people to pick up after themselves. It reads "No trail fairy". We're the trail fairies. Also, my local wilderness of Cuyamaca burned in 2003 and 2007. Yes, it's gut wrenching to see pristine environments ravaged like that; flora and fauna suffered.

[@cq7415]

My favorite So Cal mountain. I hiked it several times way back in the 1960’s. On a clear day you could see the Colorado River vegetation. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-cf7pe3qg1c]

It's a great hike. When I hiked it I had the pleasure of seeing a herd of big horned sheep run past us on the trail. There must have been a dozen of them.

[@christiannovoa415]

I did this hike today it was a tough one but I was able to reach the tallest peak in Southern California my greatest accomplishment so far.

[@XJarhead360]

Your videos are top notch.

[@XJarhead360]

Yes, the first mile is a mother. In years past when the SoCal air was clearer you could see the southern edge of the Sierra from the top.

[@chetanphoenix]

Done this twice, both overnight. It's the pinnacle (literal and figurative) of Socal hiking. Awesome video Cris. Love seeing all the same spots that have been just memories for a while.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and glad you got to enjoy this one 👍

[@miguelfragoso7023]

Would you recommend this trail or south fork to summit? First timer here, any help is appreciated!

[@Hikingguy]

@@miguelfragoso7023 If you are overnighting, South Fork will be easier with heavy packs. I'd prob do that first.

[@rickpeddicord8745]

I used to routinely do the Mt Wilson hike with a dear friend who passed away. Your vlogs take me back 20 years. Best times. Thank you.

[@Hikingguy]

Ah thank you and glad you enjoy the vids 👍

[@kennykeyboard]

My one and only time all the way up was in June 1988. I was 24. At that age I had no problems with the incline except having to stop every few minutes on the final leg to catch my breath. No altitude sickness unlike my hike on San Jacinto 3 years later. The trail was only 7 miles each way. 9 hours round trip. I see the added yardage between Halfway and High Creek and also between High Creek and the tree line. Most likely wildlife conservation and ecosystem efforts. I hiked to Halfway on several occasions before and after that. My first outing had me miss the trail and having to climb out of Vivian creek back up to the ridge to find the trail up to the wilderness sign. I took my sister hiking to Halfway in 2000 and she considered it the most strenuous thing she had ever done. It's hard but the views are spectacular.

[@skateruwu]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@PHARRAOH]

On one of the hikes i did upnthere, went up vivian. Down and out dobbs. I was joined by a marinecand his 7 year old sone, in sandles. They returned vivian, we slept up top snd exited the momyuire trail, stopping at dobbs to lay in the creek below the 2nd waterfall. Good times

[@ccrider3435]

Wow, this brought back great memories from climbing here in 1990. Great Vid. Thanks and happy trails.

[@leogetz3551]

It's nice in the snow too during November with a bordercollie 🥰.there's a special place for thoughts at the top😉 Bring extra waterproof socks😉

[@ronaldcheng1857]

I plan to hike San Gorgonio Mountain (Old Greyback) for the first time with a friend in less than a few weeks. This video has valuable information and hints that help *a lot* . Will pass this video on. Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@suzanneleslie5105]

With Yucaipa being my hometown, going to the top of Grayback was always on my bucket list. I have been part way up the Vivian Creek trail many years ago and i vividly remember that first mile. It's a killer. I still want to do the hike before i get to old. You have inspired me to do it.

[@jobbvir1]

Many thanks. I used to live in Mentone and hiked this trail a few times in the 80's. This brings back a lot of great memories.

[@bernhardjost]

Das to see all the burned area. Did the hike back in January 2019 and didn't cross a single person the whole day

[@carriewadefriedman3150]

This is great and thanks so much! Did NOT know about this mountain. It's now on my list to hike!! I'll also check out your website.

[@lopezexplora]

Thank you for all the information, great video!! 🥾🥾

[@johnhallford239]

Great info and video. Thank you once again. Helpful hints are always appreciated. Safe travels

[@andrewzolopa4791]

Thanks for the great hike descriptions - very helpful.

[@seans.25]

Done the hike multiple times. Took a group of teenage campers up as well

[@diannchumney3216]

Oh my word. Did you do this in the SoCal heat this week? Looking forward to doing this in the fall. Thanks!

[@furyofbongos]

I second this question.

[@Hikingguy]

Ha well, I left before dawn, at the summit it was in the low 60s, when I got back to the car at 1pm it was 96F. Drank 3L of water - wasn't too bad .

[@trevorbilak-sackin792]

Just tried this today and couldn't finish because of snow. This was gnarly

[@Hikingguy]

Oh yea in the winter it's a whole different ballgame

[@loisckl]

Will do this trail this Saturday. Slow lone hiker and first time there. Plan to start at 5am, hopefully get to the peak at noon / 1pm, spend a bit of time up there, then hope to get back to my car before 6pm.

[@Hikingguy]

Hope the hike went well - your timing is sound, better to go early.

[@wolfeadventures]

Great video. What’s most amazing is all the footage without any people in it!

[@Hikingguy]

Ha, yea, I had to push people off the side to make it happen, but I got it... 😊

[@mrs.seaturtle66allen78]

did this over 25 years ago came up from Heart Bar past Dollar Lake.

[@concerned1313]

Excellent video Cris. Did this several decades ago with 2 nights at High Creek. Also, just below High Creek on the first day of that hike is the only time I ran into bighorn sheep in my life. Thank you!

[@Hikingguy]

Ah that's great, it's rare that I see bighorn too, even being out there all the time. 👍👍

[@rodrim9876]

Great video! I really enjoy the breakdown at the end. Love this hike!

[@jimmchugh7341]

Great information. Thank you.

[@outdoorexistential]

Great way to beat the heat! Nice one Hiking Guy!

[@Mc-og8pv]

Great video sir you done great making it keep them coming.

[@rayeaglenz]

Excellent video Chris 👍😉

[@jorgem1704]

Finally got around to doing this one this weekend. Thanks again for the helpful guide, it was invaluable! Those first couple of miles really set the tone for the hike.

[@78scottj]

Great breakdown of this hike. Did three years ago and it is near the top of my list.

[@nytstkr]

Thank you. Well done.

[@seanbatiz6620]

Liked & Sub’d! I was just discussing this great hike with a friend who’s interested in taking it on.. I clicked on your vid first, to show them roughly what to expect, although no pic’s or videos mean much compared to the actual experience of anywhere nature. Your great quality footage really got my memory flashing back to when I had done this same stretch a couple times back in the early 90’s, besides all of the other many explores I took on back then; Thanks!

[@earthhorse5127]

Exquisite presentation, Thanks for going over and beyond with the information and knowledge. My Go To!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you thank you!!!!

[@stepheneikmeier1866]

Great vid Cris!! And great beard growing!!

[@Hikingguy]

Ha, yea, that's more a function of me being too lazy to shave than anything intentional...

[@garydahle6963]

Did this many years ago with a brand new pair of boots, (mistake) my feet were sore but definitely worth it! Hiked many miles throughout the San Gorgonio Wilderness, north & south sides of 10,000 foot ridge.

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea this is a tough one to do in new footwear! Glad you were able to complete it and still walk away to tell the tale...

[@petr-podrouzek]

Good job ! :-)

[@user-ck3qk2mt9h]

Thanks, H.G., the video combined with the great resources on your website helped us have an awesome experience on this classic SoCal hike this past weekend. One question: do the estimated times to complete the hikes that you cover on the website include a reasonable amount of time for breaks or is it only moving time on the trail?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 The times are based on a 2mph ballpark pace (adjusted if it's really hilly or flat) with about 5 minute break every hour or so. I get the figure by measuring my hike times and mph, and then adjusting for a slower and faster pace.

[@soaringbob]

Were the two waterfalls along the trail dry in 2021? I think it was 2019 I went up as far as High Creek Camp to find them, and did, but that was about as far out and back as I wanted to go for a day hike.

[@Hikingguy]

Hard to remember the years and droughts seem to all belnd in together these days.

[@spartan612]

Thank you for this walkthrough! I am doing this next Thursday. What time should one start to beat the heat? (Day hike)

[@Hikingguy]

I'd leave around 5am or earlier. If you go at 5am the dawn will prob give you enough late to hike without a headlamp.

[@Ryan-hc7dl]

I noticed that your website said that if a person can do Gorgonio, then it's time for Whitney. How much harder do you think Whitney feels than Gorgonio? A friend and I are hiking Whitney in Mid September and I'm confident in the shape I'm in and the shape I will be in come September, but the mental aspect of tackling Whitney is pretty intimidating. I'll be spending a handful of days before Whitney acclimatizing with your acclimatization plan in mind.

[@Hikingguy]

If you can finish San G feeling okay, you'll be okay on Whitney. Leave early, give yourself time, and it will be okay. It sounds like you're approaching altitude correctly which is the big variable. I've seen people from 10 to 80 do Whitney, you'll be good if you prepare.

[@Ryan-hc7dl]

@@Hikingguy Did San G yesterday and felt good most of the way. A couple grueling miles, but was in good spirits otherwise. Came home and slept 11 hours lol. Feeling optimistic about Whitney

[@nomada6789]

It looks like Cucamonga trail 😉

[@johnniebuhr3238]

Looks like the creek crossing at High Creek is not deep enough for filtering water. Are the use trails going down from the campsite intuitive? Roughly how far from the main trail would you need to descend to find deeper water? (Going early August).

[@Hikingguy]

I was able to filter water from that stream. Not sure about use trails down, but I could def hear water down there a few weeks ago. At this point I'd probably just carry a 1.5L bottle up and cache it for the way back down.

[@89Hctr]

Thank you for all of your videos. My friends and I are planning on taking the hike up to San Gorgonio and camping overnight in mid October. Your videos and website have been very helpful. So, if you were taking that trip in Oct what trail would you think is best? My biggest concern is water sources.

[@Hikingguy]

You're welcome 👍 and by Oct my guess is that everything is probably dry given the drought this year. My bet would be to take South Fork and grab water in the creek by the Dollar Lake / Dry Lake saddle. But realistically you might want to bring the water you need. If anyone else has any late season water insights, please chime in.

[@miguelfragoso7023]

@@Hikingguy thanks ! I’m following this as well

[@chrisbrunn3480]

I was up at the summit today and was able to filter water at High Creek. I don’t know if that is because of the crazy weather we had at the start of the week but as of right now there is water.

[@Hikingguy]

@@chrisbrunn3480 Good to know, thank you 👍

[@WildWildBasch]

Thinking of hiking this trail with my sister. I'm aware that there are bears in the area, is it common to come across bears there and if yes, do they usually just mind their business? Any other potentially dangerous animals there?

[@Hikingguy]

There's a few bears but 99.999% you won't see them - generally just people and squirrels

[@rodolfodiaz2945]

hello hiking guy i know this is a very late comment but is there any chance that you could upload this with no commentary? i would really like to hear the socal ambience haha please and thank you!

[@erict5878]

My favorite trail to the summit is the South Fork trail above Jenks Lake. It's a bit longer but easier.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea that's a great one, will be getting it up on the site shortly, same with Fish Creek.

[@miguelfragoso7023]

Is the water source by dollar lake a year round availability?

[@Hikingguy]

@@miguelfragoso7023 Prob not - your best bet it to check out the forums here and ask if you don't see anyone who has posted already > sgwa.org/forum/

[@dragonlo6514]

By chance do you know what happened to the bell at the Baldy notch. I saw it the first time I did Baldy 2017, similar to a victory bell and my friend rang it, The last three times I've bee up, this weekend included, it has been MIA.

[@Hikingguy]

Interesting, didn't know it was gone. I'll ask at the notch restaurant the next time I'm up there.

[@justrione]

Did this in May Awesome Goodness

[@furyofbongos]

Much snow?

[@Hikingguy]

None at all

[@SillySocial]

How many hours did it take you roundtrip?

[@Hikingguy]

This time 9 hours > hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/best-la-hikes/san-gorgonio-hike-vivian-creek-trail/

[@peterprice8813]

How long have you been hiking up very high mountains well let me guess maybe since you were a teenager?

[@Hikingguy]

hikingguy.com/about-hiking-guy-cris-hazzard/

[@gilbertrodriguez866]

When is the best time of year to do this?

[@Hikingguy]

July-Sep

[@jarritos-br6ym]

Is it possible to jog this

[@Hikingguy]

sure

[@cory8242]

any bears up there? they terrify me but I want to go. I have bear spray and I know black bears aren't as aggressive but still scary.

[@Hikingguy]

There's not really much bear activity. I remember a few years ago report of a bear sniffing around High Creek and Halfway looking for food, but otherwise never hear of any bear activity in the area. I'm sure they're around, but the area is big enough that they can say away from humans.

[@polyartistry]

Anyone else have issues trying to get a permit? The site says the trails are closed due to the El Dorado fires but I can see hikers have recently been there. It’s my first time hiking that way so any tips are welcomed on getting a permit for overnight trips.

[@Hikingguy]

I noticed that all the permits are closed now because of the CA National Forest closure. Hopefully will be back open and up on Sep 18

[@polyartistry]

Thanks Cris - excited to head up there when permits are available again. Also, thank you for the amazing videos.

[@BKDDY]

I never understood why some people think this hikes difficult. It was like a stroll in the park.

[@LARogers]

Perhaps the 18 miles or so and the over 5K ft of elevation gain? 🤷‍♂️

[@78scottj]

Apparently you are in tip top shape. Doable for sure but definitely not easy.

[@Mark-ro3gx]

Mt Everest, Kilimanjaro, K2 as well. Super easy hikes. Don't see what the big fuss is all about