Hiked this trail on Thursday, July 2, 2020 beginning at 6:00 am. My AllTrails app accidentally paused on me mid hike so although it says 16.9 miles, it was actually 19 miles from the Big Falls parking lot and back based on my Garmin watch.

The Vivian Creek Trail parking lot was closed so I parked at the adjacent Big Falls parking lot. An adventure pass is needed to park. The main bathrooms are closed but there are portable potties if you are brave enough to use them.

The trail is in great condition. No issues at all there. The weather was a bit chilly through Vivian Creek Camp (cold fingers!) but it was tolerable even without putting on my jacket. Once in the sun, it got hot quickly and stayed that way for the entire day at all points on the trail. There is limited shade along most of the trail. I put on sunscreen 3 times and drank 3 liters of fluids over a 10-hour period (5.5 hours to summit; 1 hour at top; 3.5 hours descending).

Unlike the nearby San Bernardino Peak Hike which has views throughout, this hike has more limited areas with grand views until you are nearing the summit in the tough, final 1,500 foot climb to the top. Once at the top, there are 360 degree views.

If you like to explore, there are a lot of great wind bunkers built out of rocks at the far end of the summit which made for a great spot for lunch.

There were a few areas with bug swarms near the creeks but nothing that lasted too long (I still got 2 mosquito bites despite using bug spray). On the flip side, there were a lot of beautiful butterflies at the summit!

There are plenty of water sources if you need to filter water.

I had no AT&T cell phone service at all during any portion of the hike.

Overall, another great day out in the mountains!