Location: San Bernardino County, about 12 miles north of Banning, 90 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: Los Angeles and Vicinity, San Bernardino Mountain Area

Forest Service: San Bernardino National Forest

USGS Topo: San Gorgonio Mountain 7½, Moonridge 7½

HPS: Route(s), waypoints and explanation of usage (Older version)

Nearby Peaks: Charlton Peak, Jepson Peak, San Gorgonio Mountain

Distance: 7 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Gain: 4400'

Time: 5-7 hours round trip

Rating: Class 1, strenuous

Navigation: Moderate, use extra care on descent

Route: Steep, minimal brush

Original: George Wysup, July 2000

DRIVING ROUTE 3

• Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
• Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
• Go 8.0 miles to the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
• Continue east on SR 38 about 5 miles to the Valley of the Falls Road on the right. Turn right.
• Drive 4.25 miles to the Big Falls parking area at the end of the road. Park here.

HIKING ROUTE 3

• From the Vivian Creek trailhead (6080'), walk up the road about 1/2 mile to the Mill Creek crossing.
• Cross the creek and proceed about 1 mile to where the trail crosses a creek (on a large log) at the 7200' contour.
• Ascend the slope generally north, avoiding brush as best you can until you attain a ridge running generally east at about 8200'.
• Continue east and the east-northeast along this ridge, staying slightly to the north side to avoid brush, to the summit.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

If descending Route 3, take care to turn south at the point the ridge runs out, lest you descend into Falls Creek.