I have been wanting to hike San Bernardino Peak since I started hiking nearly two years ago. During the time the trail was closed because of the 2020 wildfire, I watched multiple videos about the hike and looked forward to one day sitting on that bench – the bench with the view.  I finally got the opportunity on Sunday morning when my hiking partner and I added the hike to our Mt. Whitney training.

There were only a few cars in the parking lot when we pulled in just before 5:30.  (The lot was packed when we returned).  As other hikers have mentioned, you can still see the aftermath of the fire in the burned trees and, at times, what appears to be ash on the dirt trail.

About a mile before the peak, I finally got to sit in that bench and my hiking partner snapped a picture without my knowledge.  However, I did not spend that much time resting since it was only a mile from the peak and I just wanted to get to the top.

Another one down before Whitney and my fourth peak in the Six Pack of Peaks challenge.