IronHiker - Aug 2, 2015 9:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2014
Mill Creek
with Galena West
gimpilator - Feb 21, 2015 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 21, 2015
Solo Trip
A lot more loose rock and sand than I expected.
aklackner - Feb 16, 2015 1:17 pm Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2015
Another beautiful day
Tom Henley and I had another great day out and about. It's been some time since I've been up the Mill Creek Jump off and longer since I'd been to Galena Peak. The snow is all melted from the jump off already, some moisture in the soil made for reasonable climbing, holding things together just a little. There were some patches of ice/snow farther up the ridgeline to Galena so we took extra care. Really just a great excuse to get the ice axe out and chop a couple steps.
It’s really hard to absorb how much the drainage has changed/eroded; even the jump off itself has changed a lot.
orbitor - Jul 9, 2014 2:59 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
From Mill Creek Jumpoff
A dry winter meant this was mostly a hike rather than a snow climb. Followed the Mill Creek drainage to the Jumpoff, which was as loose and unpleasant as advertised, but short. Copious brush at the top forces staying on the ridge, which thankfully had some snow on it all the way to the summit. Very nice views all around. Returned the same way, rappelled half the Jumpoff for practice, then got back almost at sunset on the shortest day of the year. Would not do it again unless the headwall is solidly snow covered.
Fun scramble up the headwall. From there it is an easy traverse to the ridge. Stunning view of San Jac.
cab - Oct 30, 2012 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2012
MCJO
I didn't think the headwall was as bad as advertised. It's loose, but fairly short. However, I'm glad I brought a helmet and wouldn't want to do this with many other people. Lots of gnats in the creekbed on the way down which made the descent unpleasant.
Bob Burd - Sep 8, 2011 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
Yucapia Ridge Traverse
A long 12hr day with Tom and Laura, tagging the last of the HPS peaks for my list finish. As Tom said, heat + flies = yucks. Trip Report
bechtt - Jul 5, 2011 8:53 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
Yucaipa Ridge traverse
Up the headwall to Galena and then across the entire ridge ending on Allen. Heat and flies made this an unpleasant hike but it was Bob Burd's HPS List Finish so that made the trip worth it.
johnwasemiller - Oct 26, 2010 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 23, 2010
Galena Peak Hike
Hiked up to Galena Peak via Mill Creek Jump off on Saturday 10/23/10. I live in Redlands and the weather was overcast but once we got to Forest Falls/Vivian Creek it was about 40 degrees and we were above the clouds. I have to say going up the river bed is easy until you see the wall and your like its not to far. But that last say .5-.75 miles is challenging but fun. We got to the headwall and started climbing in the middle towards the left. The fog we watched move in and we couldn't see. I was ahead of my two friends stopped mid way and realized I could see the ridge. We ended up making it to the top and way above the clouds clear as can be and a layer of clouds was over the entire valley and only the tall mountains showed above an incredible view of Mt. San Jacinto sticking out through the clouds. It was a long day hard but fun. I recommend it to anyone who is willing for the grind.
Bill562 - Mar 10, 2010 4:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2010
Mill Creek
Attempt on skis, weather said no. Tons of snow/avy debri, constant rock fall from the northern wall of the canyon. Great skiing though.
I have fond memories of the few times I hiked up to the jumpoff and then went up the fun trace trail up to the summit. I remember my first time there getting a photo of a giant bighorn ram. The summit was one of my favorites of SoCal.
johnm - Oct 11, 2009 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2009
Route Climbed: Mill Creek Jumpoff
Up the Mill Creek headwall and on to the summit. At the headwall ascended the south (right) grey dirt and descended the left side orange dirt. Mostly scree skiing going down. Views from both summits are some of the best in SoCal. Great in every direction.
Ze - Sep 2, 2009 11:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2009
via MCJO
went straight up a small gully just a bit south (right) of the middle of the headwall. tough stuff.
traversed over to Little San Gorgonio after
mdougherty - Jun 16, 2009 2:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Via the headwall
Nice hike with mdostby and others. It was raining all the way to the trailhead but ended up being a beautiful day.
mdostby - Jun 14, 2009 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Mill Creek Headwall
Fun day with Charles Irving and crew. Very dirty and dusty climbing the headwall.
Sleighty - Nov 13, 2008 1:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 9, 2008
Snowy Surprise
Got snowed on immediately after getting in to the parking lot. Still attempted. Made it just below summit, though we took one of the chutes, which was quite a dumb idea considering how ill-equipped we were. Still an almost surreal day though. Galena does not look at all like a So-cal peak when covered in fog and snow.
realshafer - Oct 9, 2008 1:59 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2008
Jumpoff to both Galenas
Did the normal Mill Creek to Jumpoff to summit. Visited both peaks and looking over the edge of the higher Galena made me glad I didn't try coming up one of the chutes. That place is a crumbly mess. Best part: Seeing three Big Horn Sheep in Mill Creek up close. So great!
Sam Page - Apr 20, 2008 11:59 am Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2002
Mill Creek Jump-Off
I forget the exact date, but it was part of an organized trip with the California Mountaineering Club. I remember steep snow-climbing up to the saddle.
Blair - Nov 5, 2006 4:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2006
Mill Creek Jumpoff
Traversed up Mill Creek to the jumpoff. Climbed the middle rib using natural protection from the trees growing on the rib. Pretty much a talus/scree scramble with lots of falling rocks and dusty! Traversed the top to a sandy spot for lunch, proceeded up another 35 vertical feet until we reached our turnaround time(work). Turned around about 50 vertical feet from the summit of Galena peak. Coming down was even more dicey as we thought we should just glissade down a dirt couloir. Bloody hands and calves later, we were off the headwall. Lots of crazy fun!
Route Climbed: Headwall/Mill Creek Jumpoff Date Climbed: March 4, 2006
Did this climb with the Calif. Mountaineering Club. Lots of soft snow along the creek through the canyon. Rocks whizzing down the north side of the canyon all day. The headwall was cruddy. We picked an ascent line toward the south (to the right) side of the headwall. Before we started traversing, where it really gets steep, we encountered lots of thin hard ice over the dirt. This made for a dicey traverse to the right to gain the ridge. Had to maneuver through some thick neck high vegetation to get to the saddle. From the saddle to the eastern summit there were several inches to a foot of fresh snow, but all layered over ice. Definitely needed crampons here. The summit was gorgeous. The San Bernardino Ridge peaks, San Jacinto, and Baldy, were all clearly in sight. Going back, we again tried to stay to the south (left) of the headwall. Even with crampons, getting down the steepest section was hard work; there was little for our ice axe spikes to plant into. We had a great outing without question. However,I wouldn't recommend the headwall in the condition it was in today. With a thorough snow cover you could snowshoe or crampon all the way up, but today the headwall was neither here nor there.
IronHiker - Aug 2, 2015 9:55 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2014
Mill Creekwith Galena West
gimpilator - Feb 21, 2015 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 21, 2015
Solo TripA lot more loose rock and sand than I expected.
aklackner - Feb 16, 2015 1:17 pm Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2015
Another beautiful dayTom Henley and I had another great day out and about. It's been some time since I've been up the Mill Creek Jump off and longer since I'd been to Galena Peak. The snow is all melted from the jump off already, some moisture in the soil made for reasonable climbing, holding things together just a little. There were some patches of ice/snow farther up the ridgeline to Galena so we took extra care. Really just a great excuse to get the ice axe out and chop a couple steps.
It’s really hard to absorb how much the drainage has changed/eroded; even the jump off itself has changed a lot.
orbitor - Jul 9, 2014 2:59 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2013
From Mill Creek JumpoffA dry winter meant this was mostly a hike rather than a snow climb. Followed the Mill Creek drainage to the Jumpoff, which was as loose and unpleasant as advertised, but short. Copious brush at the top forces staying on the ridge, which thankfully had some snow on it all the way to the summit. Very nice views all around. Returned the same way, rappelled half the Jumpoff for practice, then got back almost at sunset on the shortest day of the year. Would not do it again unless the headwall is solidly snow covered.
wildernesspreston - Apr 4, 2013 9:29 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2009
Fun ScrambleFun scramble up the headwall. From there it is an easy traverse to the ridge. Stunning view of San Jac.
cab - Oct 30, 2012 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2012
MCJOI didn't think the headwall was as bad as advertised. It's loose, but fairly short. However, I'm glad I brought a helmet and wouldn't want to do this with many other people. Lots of gnats in the creekbed on the way down which made the descent unpleasant.
Bob Burd - Sep 8, 2011 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
Yucapia Ridge TraverseA long 12hr day with Tom and Laura, tagging the last of the HPS peaks for my list finish. As Tom said, heat + flies = yucks. Trip Report
bechtt - Jul 5, 2011 8:53 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
Yucaipa Ridge traverseUp the headwall to Galena and then across the entire ridge ending on Allen. Heat and flies made this an unpleasant hike but it was Bob Burd's HPS List Finish so that made the trip worth it.
johnwasemiller - Oct 26, 2010 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Oct 23, 2010
Galena Peak HikeHiked up to Galena Peak via Mill Creek Jump off on Saturday 10/23/10. I live in Redlands and the weather was overcast but once we got to Forest Falls/Vivian Creek it was about 40 degrees and we were above the clouds. I have to say going up the river bed is easy until you see the wall and your like its not to far. But that last say .5-.75 miles is challenging but fun. We got to the headwall and started climbing in the middle towards the left. The fog we watched move in and we couldn't see. I was ahead of my two friends stopped mid way and realized I could see the ridge. We ended up making it to the top and way above the clouds clear as can be and a layer of clouds was over the entire valley and only the tall mountains showed above an incredible view of Mt. San Jacinto sticking out through the clouds. It was a long day hard but fun. I recommend it to anyone who is willing for the grind.
Bill562 - Mar 10, 2010 4:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 7, 2010
Mill CreekAttempt on skis, weather said no. Tons of snow/avy debri, constant rock fall from the northern wall of the canyon. Great skiing though.
wyopeakMike - Dec 5, 2009 4:14 pm
Galena rulesI have fond memories of the few times I hiked up to the jumpoff and then went up the fun trace trail up to the summit. I remember my first time there getting a photo of a giant bighorn ram. The summit was one of my favorites of SoCal.
johnm - Oct 11, 2009 11:41 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2009
Route Climbed: Mill Creek JumpoffUp the Mill Creek headwall and on to the summit. At the headwall ascended the south (right) grey dirt and descended the left side orange dirt. Mostly scree skiing going down. Views from both summits are some of the best in SoCal. Great in every direction.
Ze - Sep 2, 2009 11:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2009
via MCJOwent straight up a small gully just a bit south (right) of the middle of the headwall. tough stuff.
traversed over to Little San Gorgonio after
mdougherty - Jun 16, 2009 2:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Via the headwallNice hike with mdostby and others. It was raining all the way to the trailhead but ended up being a beautiful day.
mdostby - Jun 14, 2009 2:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Mill Creek HeadwallFun day with Charles Irving and crew. Very dirty and dusty climbing the headwall.
Sleighty - Nov 13, 2008 1:30 am Date Climbed: Nov 9, 2008
Snowy SurpriseGot snowed on immediately after getting in to the parking lot. Still attempted. Made it just below summit, though we took one of the chutes, which was quite a dumb idea considering how ill-equipped we were. Still an almost surreal day though. Galena does not look at all like a So-cal peak when covered in fog and snow.
realshafer - Oct 9, 2008 1:59 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2008
Jumpoff to both GalenasDid the normal Mill Creek to Jumpoff to summit. Visited both peaks and looking over the edge of the higher Galena made me glad I didn't try coming up one of the chutes. That place is a crumbly mess. Best part: Seeing three Big Horn Sheep in Mill Creek up close. So great!
Sam Page - Apr 20, 2008 11:59 am Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2002
Mill Creek Jump-OffI forget the exact date, but it was part of an organized trip with the California Mountaineering Club. I remember steep snow-climbing up to the saddle.
Blair - Nov 5, 2006 4:18 pm Date Climbed: Nov 4, 2006
Mill Creek JumpoffTraversed up Mill Creek to the jumpoff. Climbed the middle rib using natural protection from the trees growing on the rib. Pretty much a talus/scree scramble with lots of falling rocks and dusty! Traversed the top to a sandy spot for lunch, proceeded up another 35 vertical feet until we reached our turnaround time(work). Turned around about 50 vertical feet from the summit of Galena peak. Coming down was even more dicey as we thought we should just glissade down a dirt couloir. Bloody hands and calves later, we were off the headwall. Lots of crazy fun!
Augie Medina - Mar 6, 2006 9:20 pm
Route Climbed: Headwall/Mill Creek Jumpoff Date Climbed: March 4, 2006Did this climb with the Calif. Mountaineering Club. Lots of soft snow along the creek through the canyon. Rocks whizzing down the north side of the canyon all day. The headwall was cruddy. We picked an ascent line toward the south (to the right) side of the headwall. Before we started traversing, where it really gets steep, we encountered lots of thin hard ice over the dirt. This made for a dicey traverse to the right to gain the ridge. Had to maneuver through some thick neck high vegetation to get to the saddle. From the saddle to the eastern summit there were several inches to a foot of fresh snow, but all layered over ice. Definitely needed crampons here. The summit was gorgeous. The San Bernardino Ridge peaks, San Jacinto, and Baldy, were all clearly in sight. Going back, we again tried to stay to the south (left) of the headwall. Even with crampons, getting down the steepest section was hard work; there was little for our ice axe spikes to plant into. We had a great outing without question. However,I wouldn't recommend the headwall in the condition it was in today. With a thorough snow cover you could snowshoe or crampon all the way up, but today the headwall was neither here nor there.