Maybe I'm strange, but I do talk to the mountain, every evening after work when I drive up Highway 38 to go home. Who else is there to talk to, to recap the day and free my thoughts? San Bernardino Peak is always looming over me – I live right below it. So what was I waiting for? I promised SB Peak I would summit and that's what I finally did. I started at 5:30am and magically, the bugs that had been annoying me the past week were gone (they're back, by the way). The sun was rising and the air was cool. Conditions were great the whole way up and the views just got better and better. My favorite view is from the stone bench about 7.8-8 miles up. The trail splits and there is a short path to the bench. It's hard to miss. And the wildflowers – they're everywhere, in every color, the most I have ever seen. Photos can't do them justice. Some were overgrown and covering the trail, so I'd go with long pants, but they were amazing!

There was one large patch of snow on the trail, but it was easy to walk around. There are some fallen trees on the trail, as well, but nothing difficult to pass. And the spring just above Limber Pine camp (maybe at 6 miles) is flowing! I didn't see anyone on the trail until I started to descend, but it was also a Friday and I had gotten an early start. Note: I actually missed the last section up to the peak and starting walking towards East Peak until I realized it after looking at the map. There is a wooden post with a word written on it (what does it say though haha) and that's where you want to turn, straight up a few hundred feet to the top. “SB Peak”, I said, “I finally made it!” What a feeling to be up there, like meeting a penpal in person that you've only written to from afar for years. I know, I know – get more human friends, you say. Anyway, it got a little warm coming down, but all in all, what a great day!