I’ve been into the Gorgonios a few times but this was my first proper intro since I would see the place from various angles. Loved what I saw and want more. Goals : Get feel of overall layout, scout future wild camps and interesting xc possibilities, work the legs good. What I got was mucho mas more than that, though.
–Thursday–
Started 7pm up Momyer. Walk in was uneventful, but as always very rewarding in a full moon, particularly since it felt like I had the place to myself. One notable incident though, headlamp off, I walked into a very large web, felt so thick almost like bubble gum. Flicked my light on, discover grape-sized spider with legs almost three inches across on my bare forearm! The way he rappelled off made me want to go canyoneering again soon. Arrived at Saxton near 10pm, but found trash all over so moved to a small open spur, view of night sky and a moon-lit Yucaipa Ridge. Better.
–Friday–
Returned to Saxton, picked up a bag full of trash bits, tuna packs, candy wrappers, oreos box, Marlboros 100s. Trash was shredded and licked clean after being dug up from it’s shallow burial. Such nice people.
Continuing up Momyer, came upon a small tree which was moving and grunting. Suddenly, a small bear cub comes crashing down, branches and bark raining, and plops down not ten yards from me! Much bigger bear above leaps down onto the scree, careening toward us. I quickly put 30 yards between cub and I, and this was enough apparently. She climbed back on her rocky lookout and bear-cub returned to his jungle gym to wait for the next sucker. I snap a terrible pic and move on, heavily under the influence of adrenaline.
Continued up to High Meadow, dropped gear and spent the day running. Visited Gorgonio, Mineshaft Flat, Dry Lake, South Fork Meadow, and back to High Meadow.
Arriving at High Meadow in low light, cross-country from the east… same two bears on my bear can! I approach, they scatter, turn around, and now we have a funny night-time standoff. Cold and tired, I dispersed them a bit with some noise, but their eyes still glowed in the chinqapins up there, so I took my stuff to Red Rock Flat, dug out handful o’ cookies, left the bear can there, and went off a half-mile to bivy. Visions of a bear crushing my skull and licking my brains out creeped me out a bit, but sleep came effortlessly anyway.
–Saturday–
Big breakfast back at Red Rock with a gorgeous sun-rise view. Drop gear again and visited Trailfork, San Bernardino, San Bernardino East, Dobbs ridge, Gorgonio, and down Vivian.
As late as I was coming out, I still couldn’t bear to miss the sunset that evening above high creek. It unfolded slowly and dramatically for almost an hour. I watched the sun transform from a glowing orb to a lava-filled dome, to a tiny ribbon of scattered embers on the gray stratus out there and it was simply one of the most amazing sunsets Ive witnessed. Glad I didn’t pass it by. Getting out Vivian in the dark after a long day was a grinder. Plus couple miles on the road to Momyer trailhead.
The end. Sorry for going on and on
Dawn, upper Momyer
Bears, upper Momyer
My favorite trail, upper Momyer
Must return here, upper Momyer
Filtering, High Meadow
Gorgonio
San Berdoo East
Selfie, Dry Lake View
That moment that reminded me why I do this, Red Rock Flat
Farewell kiss, Vivian
