It had been more than 25 years since I last stood atop San Gorgonio and I had forgotten how beautiful the area is. What I didn’t forget was how sore my feet would be when I got back to the car. The trip started the previous afternoon with a visit to the Mill Creek Ranger Station to pick up a permit. While at the Station, I asked if Zach worked there. Zach was on the 2016 NPS Backbone Trail hike, and he had since landed a job with the Forest Service out of San Bernardino. The volunteer at the desk didn’t know Zach, but Zach heard me mention his name and turned around from where he was standing. As it turns out Zach works down in the city and normally doesn’t visit the Mill Creek Station. As I’m fond of saying, ‘coincidence’ is not a kosher word. I let you figure out the odds of the two us of being there at the same time, but they are quite high. It was great to see Zach and hear how well life is treating him.
Early the next morning (5:15 am) I started up the Vivian Creek Trail. The trail wasn’t as steep as I remembered (good) and it was also more forested (really good). My last time doing this trail wasn’t the most pleasant experience, and I’m sure this colored my memory. The distance to the summit is over eight miles, but it’s the 5400’ feet of gain that’s the real challenge. There was one other person on top when I arrived: Joel had passed me on the trail earlier in the morning. After enjoying a peaceful break on top, and having Joel snap a few photos of me, I headed down. Here’s where my memory hadn't failed: it was a long way down and my feet would be the worse for wear, but unlike my last Vivian Creek adventure, I can’t wait to backpack here and spend time in the San Gorgonio Wilderness once it cools back down a bit and the wildfires are out.
There was one more bit of happenstance this day. While making my way down, a familiar looking couple was heading up. It was Suzanne and Dennis, a couple I met on Ontario Peak several weeks ago. It may be cliché, but it is a small world.
There was water in Vivian Creek on July 3rd.