Ron Lebfrom - Jun 6, 2020 8:00 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2020
Vivian Creek Falls
Hiked to the top of the falls and rappelled down the waterfalls.
Picked up a lot of trash out of the canyon. It was a beautiful day
on that trail. I wish people would pack out what they bring in.
conpen - Oct 24, 2017 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2016
Last of the Three Saints
Split hike into two days. Only available campsite was the summit. Below freezing temps with 30-40 mph gusts were no fun, but everything else was!
Sam DeRose - Mar 1, 2016 4:01 pm Date Climbed: Feb 20, 2016
Beautiful Day Hike
Did this hike with 4 friends. Drove out to vivian creek trailhead from Claremont and started hiking around 6am. Took us 7 hours to summit and 4 to get down. Brought snowshoes up but didnt end up needing them. Definitely have crampons and an axe though.
compeanja - May 19, 2015 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Jan 5, 2015
Icy
Slept up top; woke up with my bivvy sack frozen to the ice under me. Probably won't make that mistake again but it was a good experience overall for my first "winter ascent."
jschall - Jun 22, 2013 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2013
Speed Hike
3:06 hike to the summit. Beat the sun. Was just trying to see the sunset at the summit. Was too cold to wait for the actual sunset.
Fletch - Dec 26, 2012 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2009
Very cool route
started at 90 degrees and summited at 55 degrees. wierd.
Wild - Dec 25, 2012 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
San Gorgonio 9 Peak Traverse - Peak #1
Starting the traverse
Trailboss88 - Nov 22, 2012 1:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2012
first time in the SG wilderness
2 day solo backpack trip. Day 1 3 hours to High Creek Camp. Day 2 Summit and back down (7 hours, 1 at summit). Everyone else was doing it as a day hike. Map distances are not accurate (significantly lower) than what my GPS showed. A bit of icy snow on top.
telemarkdude - Oct 7, 2012 1:09 am Date Climbed: Jan 26, 1986
Winter Hike
Was a nice winter hike. A little icy on the upper half; ended up pulling out the crampons.
diersen - Aug 1, 2011 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2011
Training for Whitney?
The next time I meet someone on this trail who tells me they're "training for Whitney" I'm going to punch myself in the throat. Doesn't anyone walk this trail just for the fun of it? Because it goes through all sorts of fantastic ecological zones? Because there's something wonderful to see at every turn?
Whitney...big deal. Just enjoy yourself on this lovely trail.
If you really feel the need to train for Whitney, do the Cactus to Clouds trail (partway) up and down.
Also, no map needed. All you have to do is ask yourself "Does this look footworn enough to be the most popular trail in the SGW?" If the answer is no, go back. You've lost the trail. There are signs to direct you at every junction. Don't miss the turn at High Creek Camp.
iditarod81 - May 30, 2011 10:14 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2011
1st hike of the season
Beautiful hike despite the 70 mph winds all along the summit ridge. Really eerie and grand to watch (and feel) the clouds rush in from the Coachella and San Gabriel valleys.
JanG - Jul 14, 2010 4:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
A very LONG hike!
This was my first time on the trail and did not prepare myself well by studying a topo, or using GPS. I started on the trail at 7:45 AM and only reached the summit at 3 PM because I got lost near Halfway Camp. I mistakenly crossed the creek just below the sharp turn to the right. For the next 90 min, I tried to (hopefully) rejoin the trail by climbing the steep rocky terrain to the left of the creek and then, mistakenly, attempting to cross/climb over the thick brush. Eventually I gave up, and crossed the creek again higher up. Fortunately I found the trail as it returned from the long switchback above Halfway Camp. The rest of the hike was uneventful although it was bitterly cold near the summit (there was still a fair amount of snow on the ground). I was back at the parking lot 12 hours after starting!
All in all, this is a great trail. The meadows alongside Vivian creek reminded me of Little Yosemite Valley (above Vernal Falls).
If I try this delightful trail again, it will have to be in the company of my daughter Vivian!!!
therockimage - Jun 11, 2010 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2007
Switchbacks!
Everytime I go to San G I take this trail, maybe I just like the punishment at the beginning!
JEFFS - Apr 7, 2010 7:25 pm Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2009
Vivian Day Hike
Wanted to break RT of 8 hours and was successful. Did it in 7 hours and 38 minutes. Vivian to summit and back.
Robb - Jul 9, 2009 9:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Nice trail
Great way to get up to San Gorgonio! Lots of wildflowers still.
many trips through the years. Winter is always best. Most memorable was El Nino winter of 94/95? my buddy and I were at parking lot with 2 fellows from San Diego in full mountaineering getup. they ran up in crampons but we caught up in our snow shoes. later at Halfway, they pulled out brand new Bibler tent while we dug a hole. They asked to take pictures inside our warm cave. thought that was rather funny. summited next day.
farrisgl - Mar 22, 2009 1:01 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2008
Ron Lebfrom - Jun 6, 2020 8:00 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2020
Vivian Creek FallsHiked to the top of the falls and rappelled down the waterfalls.
Picked up a lot of trash out of the canyon. It was a beautiful day
on that trail. I wish people would pack out what they bring in.
Video of trip:
https://vimeo.com/424360259
conpen - Oct 24, 2017 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2016
Last of the Three SaintsSplit hike into two days. Only available campsite was the summit. Below freezing temps with 30-40 mph gusts were no fun, but everything else was!
Sam DeRose - Mar 1, 2016 4:01 pm Date Climbed: Feb 20, 2016
Beautiful Day HikeDid this hike with 4 friends. Drove out to vivian creek trailhead from Claremont and started hiking around 6am. Took us 7 hours to summit and 4 to get down. Brought snowshoes up but didnt end up needing them. Definitely have crampons and an axe though.
compeanja - May 19, 2015 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Jan 5, 2015
IcySlept up top; woke up with my bivvy sack frozen to the ice under me. Probably won't make that mistake again but it was a good experience overall for my first "winter ascent."
jschall - Jun 22, 2013 4:45 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2013
Speed Hike3:06 hike to the summit. Beat the sun. Was just trying to see the sunset at the summit. Was too cold to wait for the actual sunset.
Fletch - Dec 26, 2012 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2009
Very cool routestarted at 90 degrees and summited at 55 degrees. wierd.
Wild - Dec 25, 2012 6:09 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2012
San Gorgonio 9 Peak Traverse - Peak #1Starting the traverse
Trailboss88 - Nov 22, 2012 1:25 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2012
first time in the SG wilderness2 day solo backpack trip. Day 1 3 hours to High Creek Camp. Day 2 Summit and back down (7 hours, 1 at summit). Everyone else was doing it as a day hike. Map distances are not accurate (significantly lower) than what my GPS showed. A bit of icy snow on top.
telemarkdude - Oct 7, 2012 1:09 am Date Climbed: Jan 26, 1986
Winter HikeWas a nice winter hike. A little icy on the upper half; ended up pulling out the crampons.
diersen - Aug 1, 2011 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2011
Training for Whitney?The next time I meet someone on this trail who tells me they're "training for Whitney" I'm going to punch myself in the throat. Doesn't anyone walk this trail just for the fun of it? Because it goes through all sorts of fantastic ecological zones? Because there's something wonderful to see at every turn?
Whitney...big deal. Just enjoy yourself on this lovely trail.
If you really feel the need to train for Whitney, do the Cactus to Clouds trail (partway) up and down.
Also, no map needed. All you have to do is ask yourself "Does this look footworn enough to be the most popular trail in the SGW?" If the answer is no, go back. You've lost the trail. There are signs to direct you at every junction. Don't miss the turn at High Creek Camp.
iditarod81 - May 30, 2011 10:14 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2011
1st hike of the seasonBeautiful hike despite the 70 mph winds all along the summit ridge. Really eerie and grand to watch (and feel) the clouds rush in from the Coachella and San Gabriel valleys.
JanG - Jul 14, 2010 4:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
A very LONG hike!This was my first time on the trail and did not prepare myself well by studying a topo, or using GPS. I started on the trail at 7:45 AM and only reached the summit at 3 PM because I got lost near Halfway Camp. I mistakenly crossed the creek just below the sharp turn to the right. For the next 90 min, I tried to (hopefully) rejoin the trail by climbing the steep rocky terrain to the left of the creek and then, mistakenly, attempting to cross/climb over the thick brush. Eventually I gave up, and crossed the creek again higher up. Fortunately I found the trail as it returned from the long switchback above Halfway Camp. The rest of the hike was uneventful although it was bitterly cold near the summit (there was still a fair amount of snow on the ground). I was back at the parking lot 12 hours after starting!
All in all, this is a great trail. The meadows alongside Vivian creek reminded me of Little Yosemite Valley (above Vernal Falls).
If I try this delightful trail again, it will have to be in the company of my daughter Vivian!!!
therockimage - Jun 11, 2010 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2007
Switchbacks!Everytime I go to San G I take this trail, maybe I just like the punishment at the beginning!
JEFFS - Apr 7, 2010 7:25 pm Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2009
Vivian Day HikeWanted to break RT of 8 hours and was successful. Did it in 7 hours and 38 minutes. Vivian to summit and back.
Robb - Jul 9, 2009 9:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2009
Nice trailGreat way to get up to San Gorgonio! Lots of wildflowers still.
jmc - Apr 27, 2009 12:15 pm Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2009
spring weatherBeautiful weather. Still lots of snow in places, but melting fast. We had crampons but did not use them
Groundswell - Mar 23, 2009 5:53 pm
Winter is bestmany trips through the years. Winter is always best. Most memorable was El Nino winter of 94/95? my buddy and I were at parking lot with 2 fellows from San Diego in full mountaineering getup. they ran up in crampons but we caught up in our snow shoes. later at Halfway, they pulled out brand new Bibler tent while we dug a hole. They asked to take pictures inside our warm cave. thought that was rather funny. summited next day.
farrisgl - Mar 22, 2009 1:01 am Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2008
Nice Weekend BackpackReally nice overnight weekend backpack trip.
Alex Wood - Dec 1, 2008 8:54 pm
Great HikeIncredible elevation gain the first 1.2 miles! Didn't summit, but the trail was real nice. Plenty of snow along the trail and ice in the morning.
mdostby - Oct 30, 2008 7:30 pm
Vivian CreekMany times. Winter is best!