Orange County/Long Beach Chapter
Great Outdoors
Orange County Long Beach
Chapter
South Fork trail head to Lost Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains
Rating: Moderate Distance: 8 miles Gain: 1500 feet
Description:
Experience "the other season." Due to low snow conditions this year, we will not be having our annual snow shoe hike. We will be going for a winter hike in the same area. This beautiful mountain basin approaches true alpine conditions and bears a striking resemblance to the High Sierra. The conditions were spring like when we scouted the hike on 2/5/06. We only ran into 5 people all day. This is one of the true joys of off season hiking. The views of the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest in Southern California at 11,502 feet, were striking from the view point at Poopout hill (pictured below). Since we will return on the same trail, those who don't want to go all the way to Lost Creek are welcome to join and go as far as they like. Poopout hill about 4 miles in, makes a wonderful easy destination.We will start the hike at the South Fork Trail Head on Jenks Lake Road. We will follow a good trail to Poopout hill, then across the valley to our destination, Lost Creek. Expect snow on the trail after the first mile. It may be icy, so hiking poles are recommended. We will return the same way. Also expect some thin air as the trail head is at 6900’, Lost Creek is at about 8200’
Bring:
Daypack, 2 quarts of water, lunch, lot of snacks, hard candy. Clothing should employ a layer system with loose fitting synthetics (top and bottom), an insulation layer (sweater or pile jacket), followed by a windproof/waterproof outer shells (top and bottom). Warm hat to cover ears and gloves. Avoid cotton, synthetic clothing preferred (polypropylene, capaline, thermax,…). Lug soled waterproof boots recommended. Boots should not be too tight. Hiking poles or ski poles. Bring a dry clothing reserve in a plastic bag. These clothes are part of your 10 essentials and are not clothes you plan on wearing except in case of an emergency. Bring as many of the Ten Essentials as you can (Topo Map 7.5" Moonridge, Compass, Flashlight, extra food and water, extra clothes, knife, matches, candle, Sunglasses and sunscreen, first aid kit (including moleskin)). Adventure Pass for parking.Directions to meeting point
: We will meet at 8 am at the rideshare meeting point in Orange. If you are traveling north on the 55 Freeway, exit at Lincoln Ave. At the bottom of the ramp, make 2 lefts and go under the freeway and take another left onto Tustin Ave heading South. We will meet in the Park & Ride lot on the left side of the Tustin Ave. From here we will reduce cars and travel for about an hour and a half to the trail head.Directions to the trail head
: 55 to 91 to 10 East. Exit at Orange St (Hwy 38) in Redlands, which is after the normal exit to Big Bear which is Hwy 30. Reset Odometer. At the bottom of the ramp at the exit, go straight for one block then turn left and go under the freeway. Continue straight and after about a mile you will turn right at a signal as you follow signs for Hwy 38. Continue on 38 through Mentone. Pass the ranger station on your right as you head into the mountains. Veer left at the turn off marked for Forest Falls. Climb up the mountain, passing the town of Angleus Oaks. At 25 miles from Redlands turn right on Jenks Lake Road, just before Barton Flats. Continue till you see signs for South Folk Trail head on the left. We will meet in the 2nd to lowest portion of the large parking area. If you plan on meeting us at the trail head plan on being there at 9:30AM. We should be back to the meeting point by 6 PM. Trip Leader: Rob 949-497-6897 go@roberttalbert.com
