San Bernardino Peak Trail #1W07

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is no real psychological goal to set yourself anywhere between San Bernardino Peak and San Gorgonio. I toyed with the idea of going all the way to San G, but turned around due to concerns about water and time. I jogged about 3/4 of it, walked the uphills on the way back. I did this in mid-September. Depending on the time of year and how much rainfall there has been, there may or may not be water sources to make this run possible. Probably best around April or May, when the springs would likely be running strongly and the weather would be cool.

From Angelus Oaks, turn east off Highway 38 onto Manzanita. Then turn to the immediate left onto the frontage road that parallels Highway 38. Turn right onto FS road 1W07 and stay to the right up the dirt road 300 yards to the trailhead (5,960').

Columbine Camp (water usually available-8,000') is 4.7 miles from the trailhead just beyond Manzanita Flats. The camp is to the right (south) of the trail and .7 mile and 300 vertical feet below it. Two miles beyond Columbine Springs Junction is Limber Pine Bench Camp (9,200'). Water is obtained from a spring .3 mile beyond the camp.

Two and two-tenths miles further beyond Limber Pine Camp located on the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail is San Bernardino (10,624') and San Bernardino East (10,691') Peaks. Another two miles east along the Peak Divide Trail is Trail Fork Springs (water available near trail junction-10,400'). The San Bernardino Peak Trail and the Divide Trail both offer outstanding views in all directions. The flatlands of the Inland Empire lay nearly 10,000 vertical feet below Limber Pine Camp and the trail above.

The initial climb through oak trees and chaparral is very beautiful, with views of the San Gabriels, Santa Anas, and the Santa Ana River Valley. Once you get past San Bernardino Peak, it's somewhat monotonous rolling hills, and because of the rounded shape of the ridge there is not usually a view.

The forest is home to many types of wild animals including black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.