Six Backpacking Loops in the San Gorgonio Wilderness

[Hikin_Jim]

For some time now, I've been wanting to put together maps and descriptions for Six Backpacking Loop Trips in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

This may be a little rough because I basically banged it out in one pass. I haven't done a lot of proof reading yet. I may at some later date add mileages and gain, but that's going to take some time that I don't have right now.

Even for those not interested in overnight trips, there's a lot of good information on water sources and map errors.

Please do give me your feedback,

HJ

[arocknoid]

You've done a fine job with that, Jim, especially with the fine balance of enough-but-not-too-much info. The joy in one's own discoveries on the trail is mountain gold.

As you succinctly said:
"As you can tell, I've just outlined these trips. I haven't gone into great detail. Hopefully this gives you some ideas without taking away the challenge and fun of planning your own trip. Now, enjoy, be safe, and preserve the wilderness."

Too often "good stuff" revelations and spoon-fed GPS coords have led to overuse degradation of backcountry findings, everything from petroglyphs to crash sites to cabins of Japanese evading internment, even U2's Joshua Tree which was HTF til Y2000. /{/rant} So thanks for brevity and discretion, amigo.

(And I loves me a good concatenation! howls and growls)

You included key safety tips about water sources and options, and map errors like High Creek Camp etc., along with reasonable options of single vs. multi-day options.

quick comments:
-good shortcut note on the D2Lake loop
-You have great content about trails/routes/elevation; perhaps a brief comment about shade vs. sun exposure on some of the routes; your preference of course.
-perhaps mention the "widowmaker trees" as the reason for Johns Meadow camping closure (thinking of some stubborn and unknowing hikers who might not want to comply)
-sufficient warning on Momyer... "tough one... go up...up ...oh, and go up..." heh but true
-while 'Lollipop Loop" may have entered the common parlance, its hold is tenuous, and *Your Blog* may carry enough gravitas for you to establish alternate nomenclature in the lexicon. Go for it, man.
The geographic geometric parodelia presents a plethora of possibilities for a pleonasm--perhaps eponymously appellated!
Hikin' Jim's Balloonatik Loop!
(ahh, just reminded me of Larry Walters...RIP...)

'Tis another good writeup and resource on your blog, Jim.
kind regards,
Arocknoid

[Screerider]

Pretty handy the way you broke it down into the number of days taken. It's nice to do both.

You've done a fine job with that, Jim, especially with the fine balance of enough-but-not-too-much info. The joy in one's own discoveries on the trail is mountain gold.

As you succinctly said:
"As you can tell, I've just outlined these trips. I haven't gone into great detail. Hopefully this gives you some ideas without taking away the challenge and fun of planning your own trip. Now, enjoy, be safe, and preserve the wilderness."

Too often "good stuff" revelations and spoon-fed GPS coords have led to overuse degradation of backcountry findings, everything from petroglyphs to crash sites to cabins of Japanese evading internment, even U2's Joshua Tree which was HTF til Y2000. /{/rant} So thanks for brevity and discretion, amigo.



Arocknoid

Maybe you don't need that GPS.

[Florian]

Jim, your guide looks great!

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

You've done a fine job with that, Jim, especially with the fine balance of enough-but-not-too-much info. The joy in one's own discoveries on the trail is mountain gold.

Thank you, and precisely the balance I'm seeking to strike.

Too often "good stuff" revelations and spoon-fed GPS coords have led to overuse degradation of backcountry findings... So thanks for brevity and discretion, amigo.

Ah, there is so much more I could say, but some things are better left unsaid -- and therefore unspoiled. I might however give coordinates for mosquito spring. It's unreliable, but it could be helpful to people wanting to use Grinnell Ridge Camp. Given that the camp is on the under-used (but highly worth while) Lost Creek Trail, I don't fear overuse.

-perhaps mention the "widowmaker trees" as the reason for Johns Meadow camping closure (thinking of some stubborn and unknowing hikers who might not want to comply)

Done.

-while 'Lollipop Loop" may have entered the common parlance, its hold is tenuous, and *Your Blog* may carry enough gravitas for you to establish alternate nomenclature in the lexicon. Go for it, man.

Done.

The geographic geometric parodelia presents a plethora of possibilities for a pleonasm--perhaps eponymously appellated!

Even I am not going to go there.

'Tis another good writeup and resource on your blog, Jim.

Thanks and I will improve it over time. I thank you for your good and specific feedback.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Thank you to Scree and to Florian for your feedback as well.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

I've now added a map for the N. Fork Whitewater River area to my Backpacking Loops in the San Gorgonio Wilderness blog post.  I should now have listed the correct position of every active camp in the wilderness.  The positions indicated by the USGS on the topo maps are grossly wrong in some cases.

I've added a sort of index to the trail camps in the appendix at the very end.   The index shows which map to find each trail camp on.

I should now have covered all the major trails in the SGW in terms of errors, omissions, and trail camp locations.

Hope it's helpful,

HJ

[RichMcG]

Nice guide Jim! Last time we went out Fish Creek, peaked then came down to camp at Mineshaft. Although the campsite was large and flat, it was way down the trail (good call on your marking the exact location), which left a big uphill the next day. Also, the water wasn't close, at least 1/4 mile, felt like 1/2 after a long day. Would prefer to camp at Dry Lake or Fish Creek Saddle and use Lodgepole Spring.
Love the Forsee Creek trail when doing San Bernardino, although the views from Limber Pine bench after sunset are awesome! Camp up the trail from Jackstraw is flat, and Trailfork always has water!

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice guide Jim! Last time we went out Fish Creek, peaked then came down to camp at Mineshaft. Although the campsite was large and flat, it was way down the trail (good call on your marking the exact location), which left a big uphill the next day. Also, the water wasn't close, at least 1/4 mile, felt like 1/2 after a long day. Would prefer to camp at Dry Lake or Fish Creek Saddle and use Lodgepole Spring.
Love the Forsee Creek trail when doing San Bernardino, although the views from Limber Pine bench after sunset are awesome! Camp up the trail from Jackstraw is flat, and Trailfork always has water!

Hi, Rich,

The official line is that the water is 1/3 mile from Mineshaft Flat camp.

Personally, I like Big Tree better because it's more remote and it's right near water.

HJ

[HH8]

Please do give me your feedback

Waaaay killer, dude!