My
wife and I are planning to go up the Fish Creek trail to the summit over
the dates ____. I was wondering if you could provide me with any
information concerning the availability of permits for that area (which
would include camping at Mineshaft Flat).
The SGWA
is NOT the U.S. Forest Service, and is not involved with the
issuance of permits or the keeping of records for the San Gorgonio
Wilderness. We cannot tell you what permits are available for what dates.
Please direct ALL such inquiries to the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Why
has the name of our organization changed?
We
changed our name to San Gorgonio Wilderness Association
(from Volunteer Association) partially to be fairer to our
contributing members who can monetarily
support our public service but who are not able to volunteer. Our new
name also enables the general public to immediately know we serve in and
around the San Gorgonio (SG) Wilderness and are not associated with SG
Pass, SG High School, etc..The SGWA is the same great
organization with the same wonderful history;
serving, protecting, and educating on the San Bernardino National Forest
since 1989.
I've
already made a donation to support the
SGWA's efforts, but I can't afford
the time to be a Volunteer Ranger. How else can I help?
There
are several ways to help further. Please click
here to find out more.
Why was the Poopout Hill trailhead closed? If due to excess traffic
in the summer, why not open it in spring and then close it in June? Isn't wilderness
density controlled by the number of permits allowed anyway?
The
"old" Poopout Hill trailhead was closed to reduce the environmental impacts on
the South Fork Zone of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, provide day-hiking and trail
camping opportunities outside the Wilderness, and to provide improved trailhead facilities
at the new trailhead.
In a nutshell, having a road AND trailhead so close to the
Wilderness boundary was impacting the Wilderness inside the boundary as much as the area
outside the Wilderness. Relocating the trailhead and parking area has significantly
reduced the impacts placed upon this area.
Additionally, relocation of the trailhead has created another
moderate cross-country ski route (using the Poopout Hill road).
What
steps will you be taking to counter the arrival of Africanized honey bees in the
wilderness? I think this is a very important issue to hikers who are hindered by large
packs.
Wilderness is wild, and
there are inherent dangers within its boundaries. The San Gorgonio Wilderness is home to
mountain lions, rattlesnakes, mosquitoes and insects, cliffs, icy and rocky trails, and
much more. To mitigate these dangers would be akin to "sanitizing" the
Wilderness. This might be acceptable to some, but more than likely unacceptable to most
who go the Wilderness to have a "wild" experience. It is important for each
visitor to individually take steps to insure their personal safety while
traveling in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Some tips are found in the January 1999 issue of
4-Victor.
This
summer a few friends and I are
planning to hike and climb Mt. San Gorgonio, and I was wondering if there's a pamphlet or
booklet of some sort with the information on this website?
There are two great
books with such information available from the SGWA Backcountry Store
online: John Robinson's "San Bernardino Mountain Trails" and John Robinson's
"A Wilderness
Preserved". We encourage you to purchase these books from the SGWA. Your purchase
will help us continue our mission of preserving and protecting the
San Gorgonio Wilderness and San Bernardino National Forest, and providing vital services
and information to visitors like you.
What
is the range of visible land from the top of San Gorgonio (e.g. how much of California can
be seen from the top)? Since the Southland is a rather smoggy area with many days of low
visibility, what is the best time to go for the best visibility and clearest air?
Winter
and spring is generally the best time of year to take in the most expansive views.
Coincidentally, it's the most difficult time for many parties to make the summit due to
wind and snow. Throughout the year, great visibility can be found during periods of Santa Ana Winds and when high-pressure systems
occur over Southern California. During these periods, winds can be extremely high (as high
as 70+ miles per hour), but visibility promises to be great. On the clearest of days, one
can see 100 miles out to San Clemente Island (south of Santa Catalina Island), and peaks
of the High Sierra, Death Valley, and distant California desert are distinguishable.
The poorest visibility is generally found
during the summer and during periods of onshore flows (marine
layer, fog) which traps dust and airborne pollution, obscuring views with orange haze -
Los Angeles Basin's famous "smog".
Just
curious of the temperature for the Dry Lake, Dollar Lake area. Wanting to know what
to expect weather wise.
Depending
upon the stability of the atmosphere, the lapse rate (change in
temperature per 1000 feet of elevation) may vary from 3.3 degrees Fahrenheit to 5.5
degrees Fahrenheit. A good rule of thumb would be to subtract 4 degrees for each 1000 feet
of elevation gained. Check the current temperatures for Big Bear Lake and then subtract 4 degrees
for each 1000 feet above Big Bear Lake's elevation. Example: [Dollar Lake 9200'] - [Big
Bear Lake 6700'] = 2500 feet; Four degrees per 1000 feet = 10 degrees temperature
difference. This can only be used as a guideline, and may vary considerably depending upon
local atmospheric conditions.
What
is "durable campsites?" and why should they be a
minimum of 200 feet from all meadows, trails, streams, lakes, and other campers?
Durable campsites are
classified as areas that will or may withstand heavy, repeated use by tents and foot
traffic. Bare (devoid of vegetation) areas are best. Campsites need to be as far from meadows, trails, streams, and lakes as possible because of A) regulations and B) damage that can occur from camping
to close to these sensitive areas, e.g., water contamination, trampling of meadows, damage
to sensitive/limited vegetation, etc. Giving other campers a wide berth respects their
right to privacy and fulfillment of the wilderness experience of "solitude" and
quiet. Much information can be learned at our Minimum Impact
page.
Is
Mt. San Gorgonio 11,502 feet or 11,499 feet in elevation? I have seen both elevations
printed on maps.
Mt.
San Gorgonio's currently accepted (by the United States
Geological Survey) elevation is 11,499 feet above sea level. However, it
was remeasured in 1986 to a new elevation of 11,501.6. Here's a
nice
shot from Microsoft's Terra
Server, provided by USGS digital aerial images.
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I
am interested in your club. Please email me an application and some info
on upcoming events.
The SGWA
is NOT a hiking club - we are an all-volunteer organization working in and
around the San Gorgonio Wilderness as Naturalists, Trail Patrol, Trail
Crew, and serving other vital functions necessary for the care and
preservation of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. If you think you are
interested in volunteering, please have a look at our Volunteer
Program page and apply online.
I noticed a patch offered through the
SGWA's store proclaiming "I Climbed the Nine Peaks". What
are the names of the nine peaks that would satisfy this claim?
From west to east, they are San Bernardino Peak, San
Bernardino Peak East, Anderson Peak, Shields Peak,
Alto Diablo (a curious "pile of rocks" not recognized by the
U.S. Geological Survey, but recognized by the Boy Scouts of America and many
"locals"), Charlton Peak, Little Charlton Peak,
Jepson Peak, and Mt. San Gorgonio. These peaks are
generally linked up by Boy Scouts groups and others on a three-day outing beginning at the
Vivian Creek Trail and culminating at the San Bernardino Peak trailhead. There are other
peaks in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, but those listed above are all located along the
several mile long ridge from San Gorgonio to San Bernardino Peak.
Is
there any way for me to snowboard up there? Do they ever have ski tours or are there
any trails you can drive to and then ski down?
A
number of options exist for skiers. San Gorgonio Wilderness trails are open 365 days a
year, some more conducive to skiing than others. Accomplished ski-mountaineers and
snowboarders enjoy descents of San Gorgonio and Jepson Peak via their north sides. None of
the trails in the Wilderness are groomed (as this would violate the Wilderness Act) and
are more easily skied by intermediate or better backcountry skiers due to highly varied
terrain and snow conditions.
The nearest "drive-up" area
(non-lift served) would be the gentle cross-country skiing of the Heart Bar and Barton
Flats areas (both roadside Hwy 38). The only organized ski tours are likely to be
conducted by different sections of the local Sierra
Club Chapter.
Is
hiking on the mountain considerably less crowded in January? Is camping at that time
of year limited to specific sites, or can you make camp anywhere (except the typical
restrictions, close to water sources, etc.) on the mountain?
Yes. It is
considerably less "crowded" in the San Gorgonio Wilderness - but don't be
surprised to see a number of people on any beautiful winter weekend traveling
the
summer's busiest trails.
Camping restrictions are the same in winter as in summer -
you must camp in designated camps. Should your party not return (for emergency reasons,
e.g. hypothermic victim, avalanche, etc.), the efforts of Search & Rescue will be
delayed if your camp is different than that which is stated on the permit.
I
will be camping at a developed campsite near the San Gorgonio Wilderness. I was wondering
if this campsite has fire pits and if fires are allowed this time of year? If camp fires
are permitted is there a special permit necessary that we need to get from the ranger
station?
All questions
regarding Developed Campgrounds (outside the San Gorgonio
Wilderness) should be directed to the Mill Creek Ranger Station. Opening
and closing dates as well as fire restrictions may vary seasonally.
I
am worried about the continued increase in regulations that govern the wilderness areas. I
just don't feel good about changes just because a few chosen people get to make these
regulations. In the future I will look very closely at any further donations to the
wilderness.
The
San Gorgonio Wilderness Association is a non-governing, non-regulating volunteer
association, working in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. Our missions
are to 1) preserve and protect the San Gorgonio Wilderness
and outlying areas for future generations and 2) help the visiting
public have safer and more enjoyable forest experiences.
The SGWA DOES NOT make or enforce regulations, but we must
inform the public about regulations while on patrol. Regulations are made
and enforced exclusively by the U.S. Forest Service and other
governmental agencies, and usually incorporate public comments, as did the
recent Wilderness Plan. Unfortunately,
large population increases and resulting large increases in forest use
often require increased regulations to manage the improper actions of a
very small percentage (but increasing number) of irresponsible people.
These regulations enable the majority of us to continue enjoying a safe
and clean forest with some opportunities for solitude in our
wilderness areas.
The
SGWA's abilities to
clean the forest, maintain trails, report wildfires as they occur (by volunteer
patrols), dispense education and information to forest visitors, assist
lost and injured hikers, and perform other
important and necessary services, are directly affected by donations
and other sources of income (like merchandise sales). With decreasing budget
and increasing public use, the Forest Service is often less able to protect
all corners of the forest. Our work is therefore vital.
I
am only going for a dayhike in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Do I still need a permit?
All
visits to the San Gorgonio Wilderness require a
Wilderness Permit. This includes dayhikes, overnight trips, multi-day trips, and research visits.
Can
you provide more accurate weather forecasting for the summit of Mt. San Gorgonio? What
about a webcam?
Because
Wilderness areas are federally protected by the Wilderness Act of 1964, no man-made
improvements or structures may be installed within their boundaries. Therefore, the most
accurate method of weather reporting for the area comes from the National Weather Service's San Bernardino Mountains forecast. A
webcam would be great. If you can provide the location (outside the Wilderness) and the
financial input required to install, operate, and maintain a webcam, please email us.
When
does the Volunteer Program start and does it provide for room and
board?
This question is asked
often. Most details regarding the Volunteer Program can be found on the Volunteer Program page, including those above. The program does not
provide room, board, or stipends, and is best suited to Southern California
residents.
What
is the Adventure Pass and why do I need it?
This is a pass to use
our local National Forests (Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino, and
Cleveland). All forest visitors are required to display the Pass in
their vehicles when parked on the Forest for recreation purposes. A Pass is not required for people stopping for information at Ranger
stations, visitor centers, and other Forest Service offices. An Adventure Pass is
not the same as a
Wilderness Permit, so make sure you
have both before driving to a San Gorgonio Wilderness trailhead.
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