# 9 is fine: San Bernardino and beyond!

No doubt – this was a tough hike for #9 of the quest to finish all 12- almost 20 miles, and 5253′ of elevation gain.  Decided to make it a triple crown challenge – Anderson, San Bernardino East, and San Bernardino, because, why not?  Even with the challenge of altitude, and trail wayfinding, I would list this excursion as one of my favorites, for its complex diversity, and the fact that Forsee Creek is not on everybody’s hiking radar right now (I only saw three hikers/backpackers all day – even though it was a Sunday). The Forsee Creek Trail is worth the effort: spectacular views, diverse walking surfaces, plenty of water sources to refill, and plenty of shady areas during the hike.  The trail goes through some of the worst of the burn scar – there are areas along the trail where every tree was scorched, with no survivers.  However, I got to see the evolution of a forest just starting to recover (saplings are just starting to take hold beside the trail – watch your step!). Forsee Creek trail has some overgrown areas that are a challenge – the thorny bushes made me glad I wore long pants.