San Gorgonio Mountain

California Class 1 San Bernardino Mountains
San Gorgonio Mountain summit landscape
Rank 07

Elevation landscape

11,502 ft

Prominence height

8,282 ft

Difficulty signal_cellular_alt

Class 1

Est. Time schedule

1 day

Distance route

18 miles round-trip

Vert Gain trending_up

5,500 ft

San Gorgonio Mountain (San Bernardino Mountains) is most commonly climbed via the Vivian Creek Trail. Rated 5/10 difficulty, the standard ascent typically takes 1 day, covering roughly 18 miles with 5,500 feet of vertical gain. The summit stands at 11,502 ft with 8,282 ft of clean prominence — among the most topographically significant peaks in the lower 48.

Recommended Route

Vivian Creek Trail

Permits & Camping

Climbing Permits

No special climbing permit is required for San Gorgonio Mountain, though wilderness or park entry fees may apply. Peak season runs May-October.

Season & Access

Year-round (wilderness permit required)

Safety Information

Technical Requirements

  • Altitude Acclimatization
  • Alpine Start

Known Hazards

  • Altitude Sickness
  • Heat Exhaustion
  • Dehydration
  • Exposure

Data source: PeakList.org (elevation, prominence); PeakBagger/SummitPost (route, class, hazards, permits)

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