Honestly, I had never heard of San Bernardino Peak before signing up for the Six Pack Challenge. I had always focused on the “Big Three” of San Antonio, San Jacinto, and San Gorgonio. San Bernardino Peak, I found out, is a serious hike, with some great views from the top.

I would recommend a high-clearance vehicle to get from Hwy 38 to the trail head, though it's not strictly necessary (there was a Prius in the parking lot).

The trail itself was in great condition–no sections were in need of repair or too overgrown. The wildflowers were gorgeous, blooming along long stretches of the trail. There was a bit of snow (as you can see by our mascot, Bernard, in the picture), and it covered the trail in some places, but was easy to walk around. Not sure how much longer the snow will be there.

The main thing to watch out for this summer is the heat. Temps were in the high 80s and there was almost no shade whatsoever. I would recommend bringing a wide-brimmed hat and other forms of sun protection.

The view from the top was pretty amazing, and San Gorgonio sat clearly across the valley.

I was pretty wiped out by the end of the trail. Luckily, I was able to grab a cold drink in the country store at Angelus Oaks. All-in-all a fun and rewarding day, but I still need a day or two yet to fully recover 🙂