Over the last couple weekends, I got in a couple of 20 mile hikes.
The first was San Gorgonio summit via the South Fork Trail. The north side of the wilderness has been closed for a while due to fire damage so I jumped at the chance to hike it with Mark's hiking group. We got to the trailhead and started hiking at 8am. The first few miles were through recovering burn areas and the trail threaded through think lilac and acacia. The terrain turned to mostly pines when it joined with the south fork river. It was smooth going to Dollar Lake saddle. Another hiker and I then went ahead for the summit. Once there, it was great weather, not windy but perfectly nice. After hanging around for a bit, we hurried down to the saddle and caught up with the rest of the group right before the trailhead. Overall this is a great trail and much better than Vivian Creek for a day hike.
The second hike was Noble Canyon. I had never done this and the weather looked to be not to hot to try it. Arriving at the parking lot, the car thermometer read 33! I put on my rain jacket and hurried up the trail. It only took a mile or so to warm up as the sun came over the ridges. The trail started along oak and chapparal terrain and then along riparian when along the streams. There was lots of flies and poison oak. Along the way, there were runners participating in the Noble Canyon 50K. After a short break at Penny Pines, I headed back down the trail. Overall, this is a great San Diego hike.
The first was San Gorgonio summit via the South Fork Trail. The north side of the wilderness has been closed for a while due to fire damage so I jumped at the chance to hike it with Mark's hiking group. We got to the trailhead and started hiking at 8am. The first few miles were through recovering burn areas and the trail threaded through think lilac and acacia. The terrain turned to mostly pines when it joined with the south fork river. It was smooth going to Dollar Lake saddle. Another hiker and I then went ahead for the summit. Once there, it was great weather, not windy but perfectly nice. After hanging around for a bit, we hurried down to the saddle and caught up with the rest of the group right before the trailhead. Overall this is a great trail and much better than Vivian Creek for a day hike.
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| Burn area |
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| Dollar Lake saddle |
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| View from the trail |
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| San Gorgonio Summit Selfie |
The second hike was Noble Canyon. I had never done this and the weather looked to be not to hot to try it. Arriving at the parking lot, the car thermometer read 33! I put on my rain jacket and hurried up the trail. It only took a mile or so to warm up as the sun came over the ridges. The trail started along oak and chapparal terrain and then along riparian when along the streams. There was lots of flies and poison oak. Along the way, there were runners participating in the Noble Canyon 50K. After a short break at Penny Pines, I headed back down the trail. Overall, this is a great San Diego hike.
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| View from the trail |
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| Old mine |
