Jepson Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Jepson is situated on the San Bernardino Divide between San Gorgonio Mountain and Charlton Peak. The peaks on this ridge drop off dramatically on the northern face, which attracts but also intimidates hikers who are ascending the South Fork Trail.
Route 1 follows the popular Vivian Creek Trail, detouring west to Jepson upon reaching the final summit ridge to San Gorgonio, making a popular combination. Route 2 ascends the pretty South Fork and Dollar Lake trails, passing Charlton with which it is often combined. worth a stop. There are other possible combinations, all long and strenuous, including a massive loop to San Gorgonio and down the South Fork Trail.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
Go 8.0 miles to the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Continue east on SR 38 about 5 miles to the Valley of the Falls Road on the right. Turn right.
Drive 4.25 miles to the Vivian Creek parking area at the end of the road. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6080′), hike past the locked gate on the initially paved road east for 1/2 mile to where the trail descends into the wash.
Cross the wash and pick up the trail again on the north side.
Hike up the trail to where it intersects the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07) at 11,240′.
Turn left and hike about 1/2 mile to a saddle just northwest of elevation 11,171′.
Leave the trail on the right and follow the ridge northwest another 1/2 mile to the summit.
Driving route
Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
Continue east on SR 38 about 26 miles to Jenks Lake Road on the right. Turn right (south).
Continue to the signed South Fork Trailhead parking lot on the left. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6850′), hike the South Fork Trail (1E04) past the old Poopout Hill trailhead to South Fork at Slushy Meadows where the Dry Lake Trail forks left (8200′).
Keep right on the South Fork Trail and continue to the fork to Dollar Lake (9520′).
Keep right again and continue to Dollar Lake Saddle (9960′), at a junction with the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07).
Turn left on 1W07 and follow it south about 2 miles to a point where it crosses a ridge at about 10,880′.
Leave the trail on the left and follow the ridge northeast about 1/4 mile up to the summit.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: There is water at High Meadow Spring Campground, 1 mile northwest of Dollar Lake Saddle, along trail 1W07. This is an excellent campsite for backpacking along this ridge.
Permits for day or overnight use are required for all routes and have a limit of 12. Permits can be obtained online from the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association at swga.org up to 90 days in advance or at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, 9 miles from Redlands on SR 38.
Historical note: The peak was named for Willis Lynn Jepson, University of California botanist, who made a study of plant life in the San Bernardino Mountains about 1914. He was known for his books “Trees of California” (1923) and “Manual of the Flowering Plants of California” (1921). He was a charter member of the Sierra Club and a lifelong hiker.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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