The 1,350-acre Valley Fire near Forest Falls and Highway 38 continues to burn, but containment has increased to 82%, prompting the San Bernardino National Forest to issue a new order that reopens access to San Gorgonio mountain via several popular trails as of August 15, 2018.
You can now hike San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek Trail, the South Fork Trail and the Falls Creek Trail (on the boundary of the closure area). Even the Fish Creek Trail, closed by the 2015 Lake Fire is now reopened. In addition, backcountry campsites in the newly opened area are once again available for overnight stays.
Zach Behrens with the Forest Service notes that FS Road 1N05 back to the the Aspen Grove and Fish Creek trailheads remains closed due to hazards from the 2015 Lake Fire, though you can walk the road, so consider that additional mileage before heading to those trailheads.
San Bernardino Peak and the San Bernardino Trail from Angelus Oaks, as well as the Momyer, John’s Meadow and Foresee Creek Trails remain closed.
Additional Resources
- Map of the revised Valley Fire Closure Area (PDF)
- Full text of Forest Service Order No. 12-18-06 (PDF)
- Latest updates on the Valley Fire – via InciWeb
For questions about the closure, contact the Mill Creek Visitor Center at 909-382-2882 Thursday through Monday, or the forest headquarters at 909-382-2600 Mondays through Fridays.
Thank you so very much, Jeff, for keeping us up to date on this trail. Planning on climbing this in the fall.