South Fork Trail to San Gorgonio Mountain

19.5 miles - Hard Effort
8-10 Hours (Total)
4,700 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 11,503 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The South Fork Trail is one of the more popular routes to the San Gorgonio Mountain summit, and for a good reason. You have to put some work in on the climb, but overall the gradients are steady and reasonable. As you wind up toward the summit, you'll get postcard views of the San Bernardino high line of peaks, views down to Mill Creek, and then, of course, the epic views from the summit, the highest point in southern California. Overall this is a classic hike.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the South Fork Trail (1E04)
Permits and Parking for the South Fork Trail
Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links: Parks Pass - San Bernardino National Forest - Weather Forecast - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is the South Fork Trail?

The start of the South Fork Trail is easily accessible by paved road, and has a large parking area. Use this trailhead address:
South Fork Trail 1E04, 40800-40894 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

South Fork Trail Directions 4 — There's a parking area right by the trailhead and then some other lots further down. Drive clockwise as you enter the parking area.

You need a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park here.

South Fork Trail Directions 5 — There's a bathroom at the trailhead.

South Fork Trail Directions 1 — Look for the trail board at the far end of the parking area.

Permits

The San Gorgonio Wilderness Association handles South Fork Trail permits, and they are easy to apply for using their online portal. There's a quota system, and this trail can get busy on the weekends, so try to book ahead. You can print your permit out or save it to your phone (as long as your phone works). You can also get an overnight permit and make the trip a backpacking adventure. You must camp in the designated campsites, and the only ones directly on this route are Dollar Lake and Dry Lake View (my pick).

Permit Availablity

Can't get a permit for your date? Try OutdoorStatus.com and get a text message as soon as a cancelled permit opens up!.

Gear For the Hike

South Fork Trail Directions 3 — Some of the trail can be overgrown. Having long pants will save your legs from scrapes and scratches.

I bring 3L of water and a filter for when I need more. There is seasonal water along the route; I've indicated some of them in the map and GPX file.
You're hiking up above the tree line, bring layers and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions.
There aren't any super-steep sections on the hike, so trekking poles aren't a must, but bring them if you like using them.
Some of the trail is rocky; wear the proper footwear.
As you may have guessed, this route can be covered in snow in the winter and spring and is only appropriate for those with mountaineering skills.

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Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
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As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

South Fork Trail Maps

South Fork Trail Directions 2 — Most of this trail was heavily impacted by the 2015 Lake Fire. All the dead trees that you see will eventually fall down, and some have already. There can be big trees across the trail, and usually when there are, other hikers create detours around. The Forest Service and their volunteers actively maintain the trail and keep it clear (with non-powered tools). Thank them if you see them.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Elevation Profile

South Fork Trail To San Gorgonio Mountain Elevation — After arriving at the San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary, you have a flat section before you start climbing again toward Dollar Lake. After Dollar Lake saddle the gradient eases up to the summit.

Landmarks on the Hike

Landmark	Distance	Elevation
Trailhead	0	6900
Horse Meadow	1	7400
Wilderness Sign	2	7800
Dry Lake Junction	3.7	8200
Dollar Lake Saddle	6	9980
Summit	9.8	11503

3D Map

Lollipop Route

South Fork Trail To San Gorgonio Mountain Alt Route — If you want to add 2 miles onto the route, you can try the alternate "lollipop" route, shown here in red.

Another popular route is combining the South Fork Trail with the Sky High Trail and hiking them in a loop. It's typically done as a clockwise route. If you're cool with the mileage, or have done the South Fork Trail up and down, I recommend giving it a try. Here's how to put the pieces together:

Hike to Dry Lake on the South Fork Trail.
From Dry Lake, hike up to Mine Shaft Saddle.
Take the Sky High Trail to the summit.
Descend on the South Fork Trail (on the route described in this guide, but in reverse).

If you take this route, there are a good amount of overnighting options. The most popular being Dry Lake and Mine Shaft Saddle. If you overnight, remember to get your permit.

South Fork Trail to San Gorgonio Hike Directions

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South Fork Trail Directions 6 — Hike past the trail board and bathroom.

South Fork Trail Directions 7 — Cross Jenks Lake Road.

South Fork Trail Directions 8 — And you'll see the official start of the South Fork Trail.

South Fork Trail Directions 9 — Go down and then up the other side of the creek (which isn't the South Fork).

South Fork Trail Directions 10 — In the beginning the trail is very steep.

South Fork Trail Directions 11 — But then levels out and climbs gradually. You'll see lots of evidence of the 2015 Lake Fire, which was devastating to the area. The fire, a suspected case of arson, could have been contained sooner, but air operations had to be stopped when a drone was spotted flying around the fire.

To see what this area could potentially look like after 50 years of recovery, check out the nearby Exploration Trail, which has recovered from the 1970 Bear Fire.

South Fork Trail Directions 12 — Keep hiking uphill on the trail.

South Fork Trail Directions 13 — And when you get to Horse Meadows at the top of the hill, bear to the right.

South Fork Trail Directions 14 — You'll see some historic cabins on the left. If you want to learn more about them and see inside the cabin, check out my guide to Dry Lake.

South Fork Trail Directions 15 — Keep hiking straight through the old road. Before the area ahead had an official wilderness designation, you could drive up here.

South Fork Trail Directions 16 — The trail starts angling uphill.

South Fork Trail Directions 17 — Hike over the old road, which is only open to Forest Service vehicles.

South Fork Trail Directions 18 — The trail crosses dozens of small streams that feed the Santa Ana River watershed. It can get overgrown.

South Fork Trail Directions 19 — As you climb you'll get glimpses of Sugarloaf Mountain, the highest point on the other side of the valley.

South Fork Trail Directions 21 — At the top of the hill you'll see a junction. On the left is the side trail to the infamous Poopout Hill. Officially renamed in 1966 to honor those who came this far, saw San Gorgonio in the distance, and bailed out. The road used to come up to the hill, and Poopout Hill used to be called Trail Head Hill. Go straight to continue the hike.

South Fork Trail Directions 22 — You'll pass the San Gorgonio Wilderness sign. You need a permit past this point. The trail then goes downhill and then levels out, giving your legs a break.

Did you know that in the great hiking era of the 1920s, President Calvin Coolidge was lobbied to protect this area by creating the "Junípero Serra National Monument"? It never happened, but today it's protected as an official wilderness area.

South Fork Trail Directions 23 — As you cruise on the flat section, you'll see your final destination, San Gorgonio Mountain summit, in front of you. On the left you'll probably hear the roaring of the South Fork of the Santa Ana River. The area to the left is also called Slushy Meadow because of all the streams and springs supplying the river, which eventually flows out to the ocean at Huntingdon Beach.

South Fork Trail Directions 24 — At about 3.4 miles in you'll see the faint trace of the Lost Creek Trail on the left, which is mostly overgrown and impassable since the Lake Fire.

South Fork Trail Directions 25 — After the Lost Creek Trail, the South Fork Trail starts to angle upward. Here we go.

South Fork Trail Directions 26 — At the junction with the trail to Dry Lake, make the right towards Dollar Lake.

South Fork Trail Directions 27 — The climb angles up some more, and the trail surface is rocky. You've got about 2.4 miles and 1800 feet of climbing to Dollar Lake Saddle.

South Fork Trail Directions 28 — The gradient eases up in spots and the trail gets a little easier on the feet.

South Fork Trail Directions 29 — As you come around the switchbacks you'll see San Gorgonio in front of you. as well as Grinnell Mountain on the left. The area up to the left is directly above Dry Lake, and you hike up there on the approach from Fish Creek.

South Fork Trail Directions 30 — The trail turns around and you'll see the notch that is Dollar Lake Saddle head to the left.

South Fork Trail Directions 31 — At the turnoff to Dollar Lake, stay right to continue to the saddle.

Dollar Lake, named after its grey bottom makes it look like a silver dollar, is fed by a spring and has water early in the season (generally). And Dollar Lake is a tarn, a lake formed in a cirque (bowl) by a glacier. The San Bernardinos are the only mountains in Southern California that show evidence of glaciers. The lake is 0.5 miles down the spur trail if you want to visit.

South Fork Trail Directions 32 — When you get to Dollar Lake Saddle, above the lake, hike on the trail to the left.

South Fork Trail Directions 33 — There's a Yosemite-style trail sign at the saddle. This is also the official end of the South Fork Trail; we're now on the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail.

South Fork Trail Directions 34 — The trail starts going up through the pines.

South Fork Trail Directions 35 — And soon you'll get incredible views of the San Bernardino high line. From left to right: San Bernardino Peak, Andersen Peak, and Shields Peak.

South Fork Trail Directions 36 — And then the trail winds around to the south, and you can see the peaks above Mill Creek, including Little San Gorgonio Peak. If you've ever hiked to the summit on the Vivian Creek Trail, you started down there.

South Fork Trail Directions 37 — The trail is rocky and steadily uphill as you climb up above 10000 feet and around Charlton Peak, which is on your left. The peak is named after R.H. Charlton, the Angeles National Forest supervisor from 1905-1925. In front of you is Jespon Peak, named after Willis Jepson, one of the founding members of the Sierra Club, along with John Muir.

South Fork Trail Directions 38 — At about 7 miles and 10500 feet you pass through Dry Lake View Camp at a picturesque saddle.

South Fork Trail Directions 39 — There are some protected tent sites here.

South Fork Trail Directions 40 — If you look down to the left from the saddle, you can see Dry Lake (it's dry here).

South Fork Trail Directions 41 — Continue up from the saddle area.

South Fork Trail Directions 42 — The landscape becomes more barren as you leave the tree line behind and round Jepson Peak.

South Fork Trail Directions 43 — As you swing around to the south you'll see the ridge where the Vivian Creek Trail climbs toward the summit.

South Fork Trail Directions 44 — And as you round Jepson Peak, you'll start to see San Gorgonio Mountain in front of you.

South Fork Trail Directions 45 — The trees are gone as you hike along the ridge. Several "window" areas allow you to view down to the left.

South Fork Trail Directions 46 — To the left, through the "windows," you'll be able to see Dry Lake, South Fork Meadows, and the approach you took on the way up.

South Fork Trail Directions 47 — When you get to the junction with the Vivian Creek Trail, go straight.

South Fork Trail Directions 48 — Here's the sign at that junction. We're going to Summit Camp.

South Fork Trail Directions 49 — And soon after that is the junction with the Sky High Trail. Go straight toward the summit.

South Fork Trail Directions 50 — Here's a closeup of the sign at that junction. We're going toward San Gorgonio Mountain.

South Fork Trail Directions 51 — And then you'll see the summit in front of you.

South Fork Trail Directions 52 — At the top, make the left to climb the last pile of granite.

South Fork Trail Directions 53 — And that's it, you made it to the summit!

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

Related Guides

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San Gorgonio Hike on the Vivian Creek Trail

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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