San Bernardino East Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
San Bernardino East Peak is the 8th highest peak in Southern California, has fabulous views of Big Bear, San Gorgonio and the cities below. The lovely surrounding forest on the north side, less on the south side, burned in the massive 2020 El Dorado Fire, but is beginning to regrow slowly.
Route 1 is a straightforward hike to the summit via the Forsee Creek Trail. Route 2 is an extension of the San Bernardino Divide Trail, described in the guide for San Bernardino Peak. Route 3 starts at nearby Anderson Peak, reached by various routes. Route 4 takes the Momyer Trail which as of April 2024 is somewhat overgrown but passable. Proceed with caution in all burn zones. The four pack of peaks at the top of this ridge are often strung together for an epic multi-peak hike.
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).
Continue east on SR 38 about 26 miles to Jenks Lake Road on the right. Turn right (south).
Drive 0.3 mile to a fork at a sign “Forsee Creek Trail”. Turn right (southwest).
Keep left at an immediate fork. Drive 0.5 mile farther to a parking lot at a sign “Forsee Creek Trail”. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6720′), hike up the Forsee Creek Trail (1E06).
At about 1/4 mile you will pass a Wilderness Area sign. About 200 yards farther the trail forks. Go left (signed “Jackstraw Springs”).
Proceed 5 1/2; miles to Trail Fork Springs at 10,400′.
Turn right and go 1/2 mile to a junction with 1W07, the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail.
Hike west 1/4 mile to a fork with the Momyer Creek Trail (1E06) descending to the south.
Continue west on 1W07 another 1/2 mile, where the trail starts down just past a large rock outcropping on the south. This is the turnoff for San Bernardino Peak.
Leave the trail on the left and hike up to the rock outcropping. This is the summit of San Bernardino East Peak.
Driving route
See the San Bernardino Peak guide.
Hiking route
From the summit of San Bernardino Peak, descend down to the trail.
Hike east on the trail down into a saddle at 10,400’+.
Continue as the trail climbs 300′ to where it passes a rock outcropping on the right.
Leave the trail and hike up to the rock outcropping which is the summit.
Route Notes
From San Bernardino Peak.
Driving route
See the Anderson Peak guide.
Hiking route
From the summit of Anderson Peak, hike west down the ridge to the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail.
Continue west on the trail past the junction with the Momyer Trail.
Where the trail passes a rock outcropping on the left, 1 1/2 miles from Anderson Peak, leave the trail on the left and hike south up to the outcropping which is the summit.
From Anderson Peak.
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 2.9 miles to a parking area on the left. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5520′), hike up the Momyer Creek Trail (1E06). At approximately 3 miles and 7300′ elevation there is a difficult to see junction with the Old Momyer trail. Continue on this trail to its junction with the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07) in a saddle. The Old Momyer trail is apparently no longer maintained and is overgrown and often indistinct.
Turn left and hike west another 1/2 mile, where the trail starts down just past a large rock outcropping on the south. This is the turnoff for San Bernardino Peak.
Leave the trail on the left and hike up to the rock outcropping. This is the summit of San Bernardino East Peak.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: If backpacking in the area, there is water at springs along the Forsee Creek Trail.
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.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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