Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Training Hike: San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek

As of this morning, the Vivian Creek trail at San Gorgonio is "open" -- however, the shape of the trail is uncertain, according to the Mill Creek Station (surprisingly, no one from the Station had been up it yet). She did have reports, though, that there's still quite a bit of snow at the higher elevations, the water crossings are running very high, and that there are numerous trees down along the trail. (Which, to me, begs the question of how they can know to open the trail without knowing what shape the trail is in, but anyway ....)

So, reports on the hike from anyone would be great. Our training day hike is slated for July 10th. If its still sketchy, it looks like we'll do a repeat of Baldy via Bear Flats.

I have a group going up Vivian Creek July 2.

I will confirm if VCT is officially "open." I am going to call the MCRS at 4:00 p.m. today to confirm. I imagine they have been bombarded with phone calls.

You're right, how does one know if one has not been there.

I will post ASAP!

I called MCRS few minutes ago, talked to the ranger.
She said this Saturday will be the first open trail day after 3 months of off limit, so no one knows about the trail condition yet.But she said it's already booked up anyway.

Thanks, Nap. When I called I must've gotten wrong info, or someone misspoke.

I'm still wondering, though, how someone from MCRS could still confirm that the trail will be open on Saturday when no one's been up there to advise on the trail conditions.

Gary S., I look forward to your report.

If Vivian Creek doesn't pan out I would suggest San Jacinto Peak via the Deer Springs trail. 19 miles round trip with minimal snow and good elev.gain. However, Baldy is a butt kicker and always a good choice. Have fun

I just spoke with MCRS at 4:09 a.m. She said the VCT will be open Saturday! So keep your computers on...

Vivian Creek Trail is "open" in the sense that it is no longer officially "closed" to all public entry. It had been closed because of the logging of diseased trees in the area.

VIVIAN CREEK TRAIL HERE WE COME!

I'll look over from Baldy and give you a lunchtime wave tomorrow ... here's to good temps, safe trails, and beautiful environs. Have a good hike, Gary.

Very few snow patches between 9,000-10,000. No crampons or ice axe necessary. No trees to scramble over. Beware of blown over willow trees from previous winter storms just past Vivian Creek Camp. May have to maneuver around and duck and crawl. Water abundant. Bring water purification. Bug net may be necessary. DEET bring it. Recommend early start to get preferred parking. Bring the Tevas for the Mill Creek crossing unless you are a good rockhopper or go barefoot. Rocks are slippery with algae. Dress in layers. It was warm starting at 10,000.

How bad are the mosquitoes? We're thinking of doing this hike as a training hike for an Aug. Whitney hike. Have already summitted Whitney but have not tried Gorgonio. Our prep hikes were Jacinto and Alta peak in Sequoia. Thanks, Cappy

As soon as you get out of your car at Forest Falls...get the DEET out. Vivian Creek Camp has skeeters as well. Some biting flies along the trail up to High Creek Camp. Hornets at 9000-9200.
Hey, they haven't seen too many humans lately so they are hungry or curious. Have fun on the trail.

cabby
When will you do San Gorgonio?
I'll go there Sunday 17th July also for Whitney training, (summitted once in late 70s), up to Trail camp last August.
Will do Whitney again this August 1st (possibly alone in one day)

Thanks Gary! Napman9 - planning on doing Gorgonio 2nd or 3rd week of Aug, and Whitney 4th week after some acclimatizing at either Mammoth or White Mtn. or Horseshoe Meadows. Last time we did not spend much time acclimatizing and it took us 17hrs. but we did manage to summit without getting sick. We were lucky to have perfect weather. It was late Sept. '03 - no clouds, no wind. Summitted late - 4pm or so - and were in the dark from trail camp to portal. Scary. Hoping to avoid that this time by training more and starting much earlier!

Gary-How about snow at the top? We could see snow on the top of Old Grayback from the top of Baldy on Sunday.

By the way, despite the L.A. Times' reference in this morning's "Outdoor" section, the Vivian Creek Trail up Gorgonio is indeed open.

The small-print info towards the back of the section re trail conditions, trout plantings, etc., said it was closed "until further notice" due to "storm damage" -- this is incorrect.

Thanks for the Gorgonio report, Gary. The Saturday training hike up Baldy from the Village for us (i.e., the Bear Flats trail) was a very good one. After leaving a second car up past the Village and near the base of the ski lift (the gate allowing parking right at the base doesn't open until 8:00 a.m., by the way), we got on the trail at 7:30 a.m. The first section up through the shady canyon was cool and comfortable. A half-dozen or so determined gnats buzzed along for the ride, but that was about it. The next section up the exposed and thorny switchbacks through the manzanitas was the worst part by far, primarily due to the increasing morning heat and the close confines of the trail. Once we crested above brush, though, and crossed The Narrows, the rest of the hike was really quite pleasant -- occasional cooling breezes, great views, shading pines (sidenote: you really knew when you passed a Jeffrey Pine -- the bark smells like vanilla), a couple of easily traversed 50' snow fields (a foot deep, max). Got to the top around 1:00, came down Devil's Backbone (where we encountered two separate groups coming up with their dogs, with both dogs looking to be in pretty bad shape -- not a good idea subjecting those paw-pads to the sharp-edged hardscrabble up the Backbone, especially in the afternoon heat, if you ask me ... but I digress), and saved the knees by taking the ski-lift down to the second car.

And, yes, they're ticketing if you don't have an Adventure Pass displayed (our Pass was on the other vehicle at the Village -- I learned that we just need to write the Pass number on the ticket, and mail it in).

To all: You're welcome.

You will encounter snow at around the 10,500 level. No worries. Don't get too excited getting to the top. Slow pace still rules. Enjoy the view at 11,501 or whatever. 501 sounds better than 499.

Snow patches past High Creek Camp. Shhh...don't tell anyone but I did a no-no and cut the switchbacks just to avoid the snow patches. I know, shame on me. But to do what must be done.

Mill Creek floweths. One member of my group took a "bath" from the get go. Didn't have extra pair of socks. Feet were a wrinkly mess. I am not a good rockhopper so I just took my boots and socks off and waded. Current not very swift. Rocks are covered with algae so watch your footing. Some hiker told me on the trail there was a log crossing. I did not see any log across Mill Creek.

Now it is off to Mecca West. Leaving July 7 to camp at Lone Pine Campground. Will head up the trail from there to Whitney Portal and back on July 8. Will do WP to Lone Pine Lake on July 9. July 10 is open for whatever. July 11 is rest and mega carbo load.

To all: Have fun on VCT and I wish you all the best as you train and prepare for MW.

Gary:

First-timer VCT question: When you say we "may have to maneuver around and duck and crawl" re the blown over willow trees just past Vivian Creek Camp, how significant and/or difficult an obstacle was that for you (i.e., how much extra time did it take for you to do so)? On another site, someone said, jokingly, that a saw and machete was needed to get through the stuff about a mile into the VCT hike. Accurate? Also, to get an idea of time, how long did it take you (roundtrip), and is the trail easy to follow? Thanks again for your input -- and good luck tomorrow re your trip to Whitney.

Don't sweat it. The willows are thick, but sheer determination will prevail. The willows hide the trail, but I imagine by now with all the foot traffic it should be easier to spot the trail. No "machete and saw" required, although I did have one and should have hacked it.

Trail is easy to follow.

Wherever you park, go upstream. You will see a dirt road and signs directing you to the trail.

Once you cross Mill Creek, you will see the trailhead sign. Start climbing!

At Vivian Creek Camp, keep the creek to you left. Look for the third log crossing. You will come upon one long and fallen tree that sits high off the ground. Not that one. The second log you come across looks shaky. Not that one. The third one? Take it!

The willows will be next. Sounds like a Alfred Hitch**** thriller.

You will come to a clearing. When you get there you will stare in awe.

To get to Halfway Camp you will have to cross the stream on your right. You can rockhop it. Do not grab hold of the tree limb or splash. If you go too far you will end up going up rocks. That is not the route. I am sure there are plenty of footprints to lead the way.

High Creek Camp the snowmelt hides the trail. You will walk in water or alongside the water. Nothing major. Just keep looking for the trail.

Took me 10 hours overall to hike. That includes the half hour at the summit. Six up and four back.

On the descent, make sure you take the right trail going back down. Sometimes the brain doesn't do so well at 11,000 feet. Mark the junction with a cairn or ribbon as a reminder. You take the "wrong turn at Albuquerque" and you will be in deep kimchee.

Recommend trekking poles for the descent. Again, water aplenty. Bring iodine or water filtration. Bring the DEET. Use caution when crossing Mill Creek. Recommend sunscreen before you hike and when you reach the 10,000 foot mark apply more. No crampons or ice axe required.

BOTTOM LINE: No worries, Bruin Dave, have fun up there. You will do fine. Trust me. That goes for all of you.

To know more...http://rowannovaga.blogspot.com

I blogged both of my San G via VCT hikes.

Thanks again, Gary. My wife and I will be heeding your advice on Sunday, especially on the third log crossing. You're probably well on your way to the Whitney area, but here's to your "funnest" hike yet -- and I hope BJ's lucky penny has a great ride.