Gorgonio was one of the fabled hikes I couldn't add to my 2020 prep roster for Mt Whitney due to the wildfire closures. I remember eyeing the Old Greyback from the Mt San Jacinto summit and feeling saddened by views of the partially charred face of the mountain. Fast forward to Oct 2021 – I am standing on the ridge above High Creek Camp where the Apple fire stopped. It's a remarkable sight, with green treetops abruptly shifting into burnt tree skeletons. Yet another grim reminder of climate change and its devastating impacts.

Okay, back to more positive tone. An amazing hike with changing landscapes, creeks, and patches of snow. Apart from the steep initial section and the final 2 miles to the summit, the trail meanders through alpine forests at a comfortable gradient. Past the ridge – where the exposed part starts – the challenge is both physical and psychological. Thinner air, no more trees to shield from the intense SoCal sun, and a GAZILLION false summits (each making you clench your fists just a bit harder). But the views of the Gorgonio Pass, Mojave Desert, and towering peaks in the surrounding ranges make it a little easier. We took plenty of breaks and our round trip time was about 12 hours, including a 45 minute siesta at the summit. In the last stretch of the return journey, the forest lighting up during the “golden hour” was breathtaking. This is definitely not a one-and-done kinda hike, I am going to be back for round 2,3, ….