LIttle San Gorgonio and Wilshire Mountain
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:34 am
Little SG 9133' (HPS #28) and Wilshire Mountain 8832' (HPS #36) are two of many peaks on Yucaipa ridge. Little SG is also one of two peaks I failed last year (the other was Palo Verde and that wrong was righted). Temps were warm, and I doubted any lingering show was hiding in the shadows of the northern slopes, but I took microspikes just in case. I got my online day hike permit and set out from the Vivian Creek trailhead around 6:30 AM. There were only two parking spots open when I arrived. I took the same gully shortcut as my first trip and transitioned to the drainage feeding Mill Creek. Instead of frozen puddles, a trickle of water was flowing. I left the drainage and faced the steep (45-50%), loose dirt gully. I ascended using trees and brush to assist. Even large rocks on the slope were mostly unstable and I didn't trust them. Above the first gully, the route to the ridge over a boulder field was well marked with cairns. Once on the ridge, there was a use trail that ran mostly along the south side toward Wanat Peak.
Obstacles
Moving along the ridge toward Wanat Peak
During the side hill traverse under Wanat Peak, I lost the use trail. There were three gullies to cross to reach the saddle below Little San Gorgonio. I went too high on the traverse which made it more difficult and dangerous with no upside. I did a little better on the way back, but was never sure I was on the use trail. The final march up the burned ridge was on a well defined use trail and a relief. Views were splendid. Both San Gorgonio and San Jacinto loomed large. There were no marks. I found a pair of register cans, but no register inside. It needs a new register. After some photos, I felt like I had enough motivation and provisions to go for Wilshire Mountain.
Final push to Little SG
Summit and San Jacinto
Big San Gorgonio
Hilarious AarJay humor on a register can
I started along the ridge to Wilshire, reaching an unnamed bump with radio towers and scientific equipment. There was a sign noting the land and equipment were private property to discourage vandalism. The unnamed bump was the terminus of a rough bulldozed road. Since Wilshire was the next big bump, I stayed on top of the ridge, crossing the road a few times. I didn't have a precise GPS location for Wilshire, but eventually, I stumbled on a clearing with a couple of registers. The original nested cans had been smashed and were hard to open. It held a couple of old registers. A newer can had a fresh register going back to 2023. An 8' class 2 boulder was the high point. No real views from Wilshire since it was surrounded by trees. It was about 400' up getting back to Little SG. The descent went slowly. I took a couple of unplanned butt slides on the slope, triggering impressive rock slides below. When I got back to the stream, I took off my boots to cool my feet in the water. It was a welcome respite from the warm afternoon sun. I cruised back on the same route, feeling worked. It was a difficult, but manageable and satisfying hike.
Flat Wilshire summit
Mill Creek
Obstacles
Moving along the ridge toward Wanat Peak
During the side hill traverse under Wanat Peak, I lost the use trail. There were three gullies to cross to reach the saddle below Little San Gorgonio. I went too high on the traverse which made it more difficult and dangerous with no upside. I did a little better on the way back, but was never sure I was on the use trail. The final march up the burned ridge was on a well defined use trail and a relief. Views were splendid. Both San Gorgonio and San Jacinto loomed large. There were no marks. I found a pair of register cans, but no register inside. It needs a new register. After some photos, I felt like I had enough motivation and provisions to go for Wilshire Mountain.
Final push to Little SG
Summit and San Jacinto
Big San Gorgonio
Hilarious AarJay humor on a register can
I started along the ridge to Wilshire, reaching an unnamed bump with radio towers and scientific equipment. There was a sign noting the land and equipment were private property to discourage vandalism. The unnamed bump was the terminus of a rough bulldozed road. Since Wilshire was the next big bump, I stayed on top of the ridge, crossing the road a few times. I didn't have a precise GPS location for Wilshire, but eventually, I stumbled on a clearing with a couple of registers. The original nested cans had been smashed and were hard to open. It held a couple of old registers. A newer can had a fresh register going back to 2023. An 8' class 2 boulder was the high point. No real views from Wilshire since it was surrounded by trees. It was about 400' up getting back to Little SG. The descent went slowly. I took a couple of unplanned butt slides on the slope, triggering impressive rock slides below. When I got back to the stream, I took off my boots to cool my feet in the water. It was a welcome respite from the warm afternoon sun. I cruised back on the same route, feeling worked. It was a difficult, but manageable and satisfying hike.
Flat Wilshire summit
Mill Creek