My California - Memorial on San Gorgonio

derekrichardson (66)adminin SoCal Steemit • 2 years ago

For this weeks Show Us Your California contest by @socalsteemit I share my latest trip to the top of the tallest mountain in Southern California...

Mt. San Gorgonio!!

Last year a good friend of my family unfortunately passed away. Terry was an outdoorsman and mountaineer and he really loved climbing Mt San Gorgonio. He was even there when my mom got married on the summit. So after his passing my mom planned a memorial trip with me, my uncle, and a few members of Terry's family.

We all met at the South Fork trailhead. We headed up the trail, passed Horse meadows and up to Poopout hill where we stopped for a break and some pictures. From there the trail cuts into the South fork eventually arriving at South Fork (aka Slushy) meadows where we stopped again and had a snack and filled up some spring water. After that the trail climbed up a bunch of switchbacks eventually bringing us to Dry lake. And as you would think with a name like that... the lake was dry. Really more if a meadow than a lake, but still a beautiful area. We hiked around to the far side of Dry lake and found a nice spot to setup our camp not to far from Lodgepole springs. Once camp was setup we walked up to the springs and filled our water. The waterflow was pretty low, but it was flowing enough for us to fill our bottles rather quickly. After that we had dinner and besides some howling from a group of nearby coyotes it was a nice peaceful evening.

South Fork trailhead

Hollow log alongside the trail

Horse Meadows

Climbing up Poopout Hill

Group photo on Poopout Hill

Southfork Meadows

Climbing up the switchbacks to Dry Lake

Arriving at Dry Lake

Hammock camp

Dinner time at camp

Sunset at Dry Lake

The next morning we got up early, had some breakfast, packed up our daypacks and started our trek towards the summit. From Dry Lake we climbed passed Trail flats and up to Mine Shaft Saddle. After a quick break at the saddle we continued up another mile to the site of an old airplane wreck from the 1950's. We took some time to examine the wreckage and take a few pictures and then we continued climbing. We climbed up several switchbacks and then cut around the south side of the mountain overlooking the Tarn and the Dragons Head. From there it wasn't much farther up to the junction with the Vivian creek trail and from there it's only another 10 minutes to the summit. We made our way up to the peak, my 11th time making it to the top, and we took some pictures and then took some time to have the memorial for Terry. Everyone said some words, and shed some tears, and then we spread Terry's ashes on the summit.

Looking up towards the peak from way down below

The plane wreckage

Climbing up the switchbacks

Overlooking the Tarn

The final stretch to the summit

Arriving at the summit

Views from the summit

Me, my uncle, and my mom on the summit

Spreading Terry's ashes on the summit

After the memorial we hung out on the peak for awhile and had some lunch and then started making our way down. We headed back down the mountain the same way and arrived back at our camp. We filled our water at the spring again and then enjoyed our second evening in the wilderness.

Heading down the trail

Views from the trail

Back at camp

Relaxing at camp

Sunset at Dry Lake

In the morning we packed up camp and headed out. Around Dry Lake, down through South Fork meadows, over Poopout Hill, down passed Horse meadows, and back to the trailhead. It was a really great trip and I was honored to get to be a part of Terry's memorial.