We started around 07:30 at the Vivian Creek trailhead. The temperature was pretty mild; it feelt like it was in the 50s. After crossing the dried up Mill Creek, we began climbing the first section of steep switchbacks. After the switchbacks, we made our way into Vivian Creek, which was nice and covered by pine trees. After emerging from Vivian Creek we again began to climb the switchbacks until we could see clear views of the ridge and it's jagged peaks. We made our way into high Creek Camp at around 10:00 where we filtered water and took a snack break. As we began climbing the switchbacks past the camp, the storm clouds started to roll in. As we made it to the ridge, the cloud began surrounding the valley to the east, masking the view of San Jacinto.

This final climb up the ridge towards San Gorgonio was miserable and steep. The last 2 miles, the wind began to pick up to 20-30 mph, and this was combined with freezing temperatures and rain blowing at us from the side. The last climb was slow, but we finally made it to the summit of San Gorgonio where the wind was at its highest speeds. we took a picture of the sign and immediately left to avoid the elements. As we descended the water on our clothes began to freeze due to the wind chill, and it was getting dangerously close to frostbite conditions for me. The plan was to continue the 9 peaks traverse to eventually make it to San Bernardino Peak, but the extreme cold weather conditions forced us to turn around and head back on the Vivian Creek trail. As we descend the winds began to ease up, but the temps were still really cold, and our clothes being damp began to exacerbate the cold. We eventually made it back to High Creek Camp at around 16:00 where we set up camp in the miserable cold and damp clothes.

We woke up the next morning with all of our damp gear either frozen or frosted over. It was a pain to pack up everything with my hands feeling like they were going to break with how cold and windy it was in the morning. It was definitely in the 30s. However we quickly left camp at 05:30 and started to descend. We eventually made it back to the trailhead at 08:30, and it was nice and sunny.