Slope due N of Vivian Creek parking lot

[Sam Page]

I posted this on the San Gorgonio board, but got no response. So I'll try here. Does anyone know how difficult it is to climb the slope due north of the Vivian Creek parking lot? Also, how might the avalanche conditions be on that slope over the next week? The slope is between Falls Creek and Vivian Creek and forms the bottom of the ridge that trends northeast to Dobbs Peak.

Here is a map of the slope.

The slope in question is just left of Vivian Creek.

[Ze Hiker]

I did part of it, starting up 1 mile on the Vivian trail

http://socalhikes.com/2009/06/gorgonio-11-peak-loop/

if you look at satellite view, looks liek some use trail below where we joined onto the ridge. its definitely brushier below than above

[lilbitmo]

Sam,

Tina, Ellen and I went up from above Vivian Creek Trail Camp to catch the ridge (I think it's the one you want) that goes up to Dobbs a week ago Saturday. Are you looking to do the canyon between the two creeks or are you trying to avoid using the main trail of Vivan and still come out on that same ridge that leads up to Dobbs?

I guess what I'm asking is are you just looking to take a different way up to Vivian Creek Trail Camp? or Dobbs? or the canyon on the other side of that ridge that will get you to Dobbs, so you can access Anderson or one of the other peaks/ridges behind that ridge just above the Campground?

What's you overall plan?

[mattmaxon]

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=482074

I'm assuming you are referring to the area below where I traversed from vivian creek to big falls?

[Sam Page]

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=482074

I'm assuming you are referring to the area below where I traversed from vivian creek to big falls?

Yup, just below 1.26 on your map thingy (which is ridiculously sweet, by the way).

[Sam Page]

I did part of it, starting up 1 mile on the Vivian trail

It's that first 1 mile that I am interested in shortcutting.

[Sam Page]

are you trying to avoid using the main trail of Vivan and still come out on that same ridge that leads up to Dobbs?

Yes, that is the first part of my plan. Then I will continue up "Dobbs Ridge" [or "Bumblebee Ridge" ] to Dobbs Peak and beyond. I have done Dobbs Ridge from 7000 feet before. What I am interested in now is starting the ridge from Mill Creek.

I did read your trip report on the San Jacinto board, by the way. In fact, I read it twice. I need to get out more.

[lilbitmo]

I have not done that but I like the route that Matt took, looks a little less steep coming around from the falls creek drainage. I know when there's no or little snow that canyon (the one after the third bend in the creek going north on your map) has a lot of scree on it, Matt could tell you more as he's done it.

Would be real interested in how it works out? If they recieve half the snow that Baldy got then it's going to have quite a bit on that slope, that should be fun - keep us posted.

[mattmaxon]

I did part of it, starting up 1 mile on the Vivian trail

It's that first 1 mile that I am interested in shortcutting.

I think it'd be a bit of a long cut but who knows...

We'd thought about going down there briefly, we'd have to rappel from 1.26 (miles that is)

I did coax someone one out a few weeks later in a half hearted attempt to go up there by that gully, it was damm hot and the siren call of vivian creek called to us!

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=482349

There was signs that people had been at 1.26 so who knows I think that's why we where trying to go up that way...

I checked my photos but there's nothing detailing the traverse
http://picasaweb.google.com/mattmaxon91040/2008_08_23#

Lemme know what you find

[Sam Page]

Well, we climbed Dobbs Peak on Sunday, but avoided the shortcut slope. We left the trailhead in the dark, so could not get a good look at it. We didn't get back to the trailhead until after dark, so its feasibility will remain a mystery for the time being.