South Fork Gear Checklist
The South Fork Trailhead is the northern door into the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and the climb to Dry Lake is about 2,100 feet through ground burned in the 2015 Lake Fire. The things hikers plan around are water (the lake is often dry and the nearby spring is the backup), a food canister because of black bears, a gas stove because campfires are banned, and warm layers, since a night at Dry Lake can freeze the inside of a tent.
What shapes your gear on South Fork Trailhead
- Trailhead
- South Fork Trail 1E04 begins off Jenks Lake Road about 2.5 miles in from Highway 38, on the far side of the road from the vault toilet. Parking needs an Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass.
- To Dry Lake
- A day hike to Dry Lake is 11.5 miles round trip with about 2,330 feet of climbing, and the lake sits roughly 2,100 feet above the trailhead. The path tracks the river that gives the trail its name and crosses side streams on rocks and logs.
- Burn scar
- Much of the route runs through forest burned by the 2015 Lake Fire. Trees fall across the trail and the burned slopes wash out, so expect detours. The wilderness association says not to camp under dead trees.
From HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail, SoCal Hiker: Mt San Gorgeounious and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): Permits
- Camping rules
- Overnight stays need a free permit for one of the 24 backcountry campsites, and permits can be requested 90 days ahead. Groups are capped at 12 people and no campfires are allowed at any time.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
- Weather and cell service
- Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms, and the wilderness association suggests losing about 4 degrees for every 1,000 feet you climb. Cell coverage along the divide is unreliable.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs and SoCal Hiker: Backpacking San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Peaks
What the agency requires on South Fork Trailhead
Free wilderness permit on your phone or printed
Both day hikes and overnight trips need a free permit, but only on the national forest side of the wilderness. After you reserve, you get a PDF by email that rangers may ask to see, so keep a copy on your phone or on paper.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): Permits
Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass for the car
Parking at the South Fork lot requires one of these passes displayed in the vehicle.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
A gas stove, not a fire
Campfires are banned at all times. The Forest Service allows gas stoves when you hold a free California Campfire Permit. The wilderness association says the wilderness permit covers a stove, so confirm with the ranger district.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
What hikers carry on South Fork Trailhead
A bear canister
The wilderness association says there are black bears, with a number of bear-human confrontations, and that it now backs only canisters for food storage. Rentals are offered at the Mill Creek Ranger Station from $10 for a one to three night trip.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
A water filter and a plan for the dry stretch
Dry Lake often has water in spring and early summer but dries up by late summer, and Lodgepole Spring nearby is the usual backup. Guides say to filter or boil everything. One day hiker could not find the spring and worried about running short, and a group planning a ridge route advises carrying enough to reach South Fork, because the high camps have no water.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs, HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail, SoCal Hiker: Mt San Gorgeounious and SoCal Hiker: Backpacking San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Peaks
Two to three liters of water on top of the filter
The trailhead has no water. The Dry Lake day-hike guide sets a minimum of 2 liters, and the same author asks for at least 3 liters on the longer summit route.
From HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail and HikingGuy: South Fork Trail to San Gorgonio Mountain
Warm layers and a hat for the night
A pair camped at Dry Lake woke to frozen condensation inside the tent and made breakfast in several shirts and a beanie. The wilderness association says to dress in layers because windy, cold weather can come even in summer.
From SoCal Hiker: Mt San Gorgeounious and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
A headlamp
Hikers who add the summit to a Dry Lake camp have come back at dusk. One pair reached camp just as it got dark, and the wilderness association's permit notes advise carrying a flashlight.
From SoCal Hiker: Mt San Gorgeounious and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): Permits
Trekking poles on loose, steep trail
A group that came up the Forsee Creek side said poles made the climb on slippery loose rock easier, though they were glad they were not coming down it. The South Fork itself is a gradual climb, so many leave them optional.
From SoCal Hiker: Backpacking San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Peaks and HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail
Rain layer for afternoon storms
Thunderstorms build most often in the afternoon in these mountains, and hikers are told not to be on the high ridges when they do.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs and HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail
Traction and an ice axe from October to May
The Forest Service warns that many trails are exposed over steep terrain when snow and ice are present, and says to go only with traction devices and an ice axe you know how to use.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
Going as a group? Split this list between you so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on South Fork Trailhead
Counting on Dry Lake itself for water
The lake is man-made and often has water in spring, but the wilderness association says it often dries in late summer and may stay dry in drought. One trip report found Dollar Lake dry too. Treat both as bonuses and plan around the spring.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs, HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail and Stav is Lost
Forgetting a spoon or other small cooking items
One overnight pair arrived at Dry Lake without cutlery and whittled spoons from bark. Check the kitchen kit against the stove-only rule, since there is no fire to improvise on.
From SoCal Hiker: Mt San Gorgeounious and San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service)
A tent pitched under burned trees
The wilderness association asks campers to look up before setting up and avoid dead trees, because burned trees keep falling in this area.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): Permits and HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail
Gear questions for South Fork Trailhead
Do you need a bear canister at the South Fork Trailhead?
The wilderness association says yes and that it now supports only canisters for food storage, because bears have become used to campers' food. Rentals start at $10 for one to three nights at the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
From San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
Is there water on the trail from the South Fork Trailhead?
Not at the trailhead. A river runs beside the lower trail, Dry Lake often has water in spring and early summer, and Lodgepole Spring near the lake is the usual backup. Filter or boil everything.
From HikingGuy: Dry Lake via South Fork Trail, San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs and SoCal Hiker: Backpacking San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Peaks
Can you have a campfire on trips from the South Fork Trailhead?
No. Campfires are banned in the San Gorgonio Wilderness at all times. Backpacking gas stoves are allowed.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
What do I need to park at the South Fork Trailhead?
An Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass displayed in the car, plus your free wilderness permit for the hike itself.
From San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner): FAQs
Sources
- San Gorgonio Wilderness · San Bernardino National Forest (USDA Forest Service) · Agency
- FAQs · San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner) · Agency
- Permits · San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (Forest Service partner) · Agency
- Dry Lake via South Fork Trail · HikingGuy, Cris Hazzard · Blog
- South Fork Trail to San Gorgonio Mountain · HikingGuy, Cris Hazzard · Blog
- Mt San Gorgeounious · SoCal Hiker · Trip report
- Backpacking San Bernardino and San Gorgonio Peaks · SoCal Hiker · Trip report
- San Gorgonio Mountain via South Fork and Dry Lake Loop · Stav is Lost · Trip report