The San Gorgonio wilderness is 58,969 acres of incredible wilderness. There are numerous trails…read moreand is a great place to go for a day hike or a weekend backpacking trip. My husband planned a wonderful trip for Labor day and even though this is one of the most popular trails and on a 3 day weekend, it wasn't crowded. We saw a good number of groups but there was very little passing along the trails. This particular trailhead is located only about 1.5 hours from West LA and really easy to get to. Just past the town of Mentone, continue along highway 38 about 20 minutes past the ranger station and arrive at Jenks Lake where the trailhead begins just past the paved parking lot. To summit Mt. Gorgonio, which is the highest peak in southern California at 11,502 ft is the ultimate goal and starting from this particular trailhead it will be a trip of about 24 miles. It can be done in one very long day or campsites are available for a more leisurely trip. Permits are required but are free. To park you need an adventure pass to display on your car. To get a permit you need to send in for one using the website listed above. Parking passes can be purchased in advance at REI. The trail head at Jenks Lake starts you off at 6,900 ft. After 2.5 miles is Poop Out hill where the trail will split to Dry Lake or Dollar Lake. We took the route towards Dry Lake. It is about 7.5 miles from the trail head until Dry Lake at 9,000 ft. Dry Lake is where some campsites are offered, it is also the place to stop and refill your water. As with all backpacking, you have to carry in everything you need including water. You can refill here using your preferred sanitation method. There are two campsites at Dry Lake and the next site is Trail Flats about 1.3 miles past Dry Lake, which is where we camped. From Trail Flats, you can begin the summit at Sky High Trail and will be another 4 miles to the top. This is incredible scenery and remember to bring plenty of water as your last water source was Dry Creek. Also bring a hat because at this elevation, you probably don't want the sun beaming down on you. There are a good number of switchbacks but I didn't find it to be that strenuous but at that point, I had put down my 25lb pack at the camp site. It will take about 2.5 hours and affords incredible views including the wreckage of plane. The main perk of taking this trail is that the ascents are gradual. The scenery is just amazing and the trails are well maintained. It's incredible to see entire hillsides and trees just flattened due to previous avalanches. The trees are just beautiful and even uprooted are interesting and intricate. Overall I really enjoyed this trip as it can be taken as leisurely as you'd like or as quickly (and much more strenuously) as you'd like. The air is thin but it feels wonderful to get away from the smog of LA. The view a the top includes Mt. Baldy, the San Bernardinos, Mt San Jacinto, and various other things I probably can't identify. The hike goes through mostly tall shaded trees but changes to rocky meadows and falling trees, and some small streams to cross. It's anything but boring! Be careful of altitude sickness, it can hit at any moment, be prepared for possible rain, and enjoy this beautiful wilderness. Check out this great blog for more detail: http://www.modernhiker.com/2009/09/22/hiking-san-gorgonio-mountain-via-south-fork-trail/

The trail reopened in 2017. It's a nice area for the most part, but the fire that came through…read morereally destroyed a lot of the environment. The first part of the hike really looks like a warzone, or some scary setting for a Lord of the Rings film. Luckily there are small trees sprouting from the ashes, as well as bushes closer to the ground that are thriving. The second half of the trail looks more normal, right around Dollar Lake, then soon after that the trees eventually thin out as they're starved of oxygen at higher altitudes. Unfortunately this place will take a while to fully recover, but it will be fun seeing it come back to life. My dad really loved the meadows and ferns and lush greener that used to be here, but I didn't get a chance to see it, and now it's gone. If you want a longer hike and gentler incline to the top of San Gorgonio, this is the one for you. If you want scenery not devastated by a fire, and a little shorter with a more rapid incline, I'd recommend starting at the Vivian Creek trailhead instead.

A beautiful, well maintained preserve with a stream, a few small ponds and waterfalls, and many…read morethemed trails such as: Hummingbird Hill, Falling Waters, Sunflower Lane, Pioneer Loop, Conifers of California, Wetlands Boardwalk, Deciduous Forest, The Artist's Palette, Hidden Hollow, Sacred Springs, and Children's Forest. While there are some dirt walk paths, it be difficult to navigate if in a wheel chair or if you have a stroller. There's a good sized parking lot, though during apple-picking season and when it snows it can be a bit difficult to find a spot. Regardless, if you're in the area, it's a place definitely worth the visit. Love and appreciate that they are dog-friendly to leashed and well mannered dogs and free admission, but donations are much appreciated.

Absolutely loved getting my steps in and enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of all the flora…read moreand fauna in Oak Glen! Highly recommend going earlier in the day to beat the heat. Parking and admission is free. Wonderful information at the entrance of the garden. Just outside the garden past the parking lot (you'll see this upon entry) is a bbq spot and a gift shop. After walking around 2.5 miles, I tapped out and cooled down with an apple cider slushy. Lots of apple orchards in the area. I also took home a jar of apple butter as a souvenir. Had such a lovely time- highly recommend!

I was in the area with a friend. I searched walking trails and this park came up. The park was…read moreSTUNNING! I loved the different variation of plants & flowers. We walked all over and ended up chatting in the shade near the city hall entrance. There was a nice water fixture that attracted various birds. So relaxing and I enjoyed all the views.

A great place to come during the day or night to walk your fur babies. Enjoy the weather or just…read moreget out for a nice walk or jog around some beautiful scenery. Located off Yucaipa blvd. They have a chess table here. A few benches and a lovely walking path through the park.

This is a great hiking trail: open space, views, and still close to town. Located in San Timoteo…read moreCanyon it is readily accessible. At the beginning of the trail is a small, but adequate blacktop parking area. It is also dirt bike friendly with wide paths. Please see my trail maps pic. This shows the overview of the area, and a website for specific maps. At the end of the trail is a loop to a great lookout. There is some up hill grade to get there so pace yourself. The hike is well worth the views of San Tim canyon. There is plenty to see along the way: hawks, lizards and tons of flowers (seasonal) and native vegetation. On the southside of the trail there is a meandering creek that is usually running - so peaceful to hear a babbling brook. The Redlands Conservancy has done a good job in maintaining and protecting the area.

Beautiful trail, easy walk . Loops so you don't get lost , Lots of wild life , a perfect hike for…read morebeginners :)

I wouldn't consider myself a fan, which is why this hike gets a 3. I'm sure many of you would love…read moreto be told from the ranger that the Vivian Creek trail is over on permits and this is the next best option... only to then be sent 38 miles further in driving... to drive uphill on a DIRT road for 10 miles of rock (in your low clearance Audi)... to then get there and hike 11.4 (according to the ranger map guide) up. Well, we've done some good hikes in the past. Whitney takes the cake. Half Dome next month... but, this one... okay... instead of being such a pessimist, let me highlight the good stuff: 1. It definitely wasn't crowded. 2. Historical point about halfway with airplane shrapnel. 3. First few miles are easy-breezy 4. Not too tough, except the length... which, if you're a hiker, it's not always better to be longer. 5. The views would be nice, minus the smog-fog. 6. The little bitty American flag at the top. Man... couldn't even make a plaquard. (excuse me if there is one, but I didn't see one and wasn't about to hike around a bunch of boulders to find one either). 7. Camping in one of the many campgrounds would've been better. We expected a 16 miler by hiking Vivian, but had to settle for this 22er (according to the ranger, cyberspace says all kinds of different stories...) which meant longer driving (BOOOO) and longer walking with less elevation gain. Same peak, I guess... but sometimes the peak is not the most amazing part! Advice: 1. Hike Vivian instead? Can I say that? And if you do hike Vivian, it will be more crowded, higher elevation/shorter distance, same peak, harder to get permit (but you can get permits by visiting website/calling). but... if you still want to hike Fish Creek... 2. Drive a truck or SUV. 3. Sunscreen. 4. Water. There is fresh water, but it's not a ton and it's mostly within the first 3-4 miles of the hike only. 5. Ibuprofen for altitude. Coming straight from sea-level to 11,500 can get to you a bit. 6. Flip-flops for the ride home. C'mon... you all know what I'm talking about!!! 7. Money for Taco Bell in Corona. :)

Really nice walk. Not looking as nice with the burned up trees and everything but a decent place to…read moreget some exercise

The set up of the park is pretty nice! The hiking trail is not bad at all. The main tip i would…read moregive someone if you come to this park is don't use the restrooms unless you want everyone to see your ass!!!! The door is see through! Literally......... (with no stalls, just open space!) either than that knock yourselves out its decent! Theres only one set of restrooms in the whole park (not that its huge) and its infront of the kids playground. Kids use it to! Locals you should really push the city for a restroom door not a gate That just anyone can unlock and see through.

This is a cool little park, always a plus when there's a bathroom. The only negative is I wish it…read morehad better shade on the playground, quickly became too hot to play on. it's really cool to walk out an view out over the city, I wonder if they do weddings there, could be pretty for a small ceremony.

This place is just beautiful. I have to go once a week to enjoy the sound of and see the rushing…read morewater. It is very peaceful with amazing vistas. Priceless. Opens at 8am. Make sure to check the description of the trails online and bring what you need for what you intend to do. They have clean restrooms in the parking area and picnic benches too. The profound peace in this place is addicting.

Whitewater Preserve - 5 stars…read more Gorgeous, peaceful, and not overrun with influencers taking selfies on rocks. The trails are clean, the water's crystal clear, and the canyon views hit every time. No, you can't fish here--the trout were booted for wrecking the ecosystem. Deal with it. Now it's just nature the way it's supposed to be. Easy parking, spotless bathrooms, and the sound of water flowing all around you. Bring water, respect the land, clock out and enjoy the beauty of what we often overlook in life.

Beautiful little lake. It is March, 2026, and it was silent when we got here, not another person in…read moresight! I loved that! It was so quiet and all i could hear was the birds chirping, frogs, and fish occasionally jumping from the water. You do have to pay for parking unfortunately, but it isn't too bad. There are some trails to walk on. I would love to come back and spend more time here.

A walkway around the lake. It offers fishing and picnic areas. Road is rocky, two ways one dirt the…read moreother asphalt.