Switchbacks? Nah go straight up the snow to finish

San Bernardino Peak

May 5th, 2019

3 take aways from this hike; and then some:

1. Snow after Limber Pine, so no switch backs to finish, you go straight up the hill. There are people foot prints in the snow to guide you up, do-able but HIGHLY recommend crampons and even an ice axe. Before Limber Pine camp it is smooth sailing, the path is mostly snow free until then.
2. RIP my sports car haha. This was my first time doing this hike, I took my sport car to the trailhead, that dirty road is rocky as heck! Should of brought a sedan or a taller car, but gas is almost $5 so I took my small car haha it was scratching on dirt road but it made it. PS. that dirt road is snow-free, suitable for any car…just keep in mind there are big rocks on the path.
3. Start early. Most people that summited started at 5am, I started at 5:30am. There were other people that went after me that hopefully summited, but they were in groups and it could get late, this is a long hike (14-15miles, depending on how you follow the last part of the summit).

Extra notes:

• People stayed overnight at limber pine camp, maybe this is another great choice to summit in the morning.
• It was hot. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Bees weren’t too bad if you keep moving, but later in the afternoon they can be noticeable if you stop