Day 2- San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek

6/23/16  19 miles, 5,400' gain
Most all the San Gorgonio trails were closed due to a fire last summer, so I took the only viable route. It was my first time doing Vivian Creek in non-snowy conditions.
DSC03957 On the Vivian Creek trail at 9:39am for Day 2 of the Challenge. My right Achilles had really been bothering me at the end of Day 1, so I was hoping it would...
On the Vivian Creek trail at 9:39am for Day 2 of the Challenge. My right Achilles had really been bothering me at the end of Day 1, so I was hoping it would…
DSC03880 I wish
I wish "high water" was still a risk.
DSC03882 The firt time I've seen the Mill Creek bed totally dry. Definitely a dissapointing sight.
The firt time I've seen the Mill Creek bed totally dry. Definitely a dissapointing sight.
DSC03883 The trail starts climbing fast, but it's nice singletrack.
The trail starts climbing fast, but it's nice singletrack.
DSC03894 Reaching Vivian Creek at the top of the switchbacks always feels great. It's probably my second favorite spot in SoCal behind Wellman's Cienga.
Reaching Vivian Creek at the top of the switchbacks always feels great. It's probably my second favorite spot in SoCal behind Wellman's Cienga.
DSC03889 I've taken this same picture a couple of times in the snow.
I've taken this same picture a couple of times in the snow.
DSC03897 Leaving the creek bed. This area is hard to navigate in the snow. Much easier today!
Leaving the creek bed. This area is hard to navigate in the snow. Much easier today!
DSC03898 Climbing again now, and the singletrack is top notch.
Climbing again now, and the singletrack is top notch.
DSC03899 A sea of chaparral.
A sea of chaparral.
DSC03903 A look down the valley with Mt. Baldy in the distance.
A look down the valley with Mt. Baldy in the distance.
DSC03906 A small cascade below High Creek Camp. It's great to see some flowing water.
A small cascade below High Creek Camp. It's great to see some flowing water.
DSC03949 High Creek. The last backpacking camp before the summit.
High Creek. The last backpacking camp before the summit.
DSC03913 First view of the summit. It's still a long way away!
First view of the summit. It's still a long way away!
DSC03916 A great view of San Jacinto across the Coachella Valley.
A great view of San Jacinto across the Coachella Valley.
DSC03919 Almost above the treeline. You can see the trail ahead traversing below the ridgline.
Almost above the treeline. You can see the trail ahead traversing below the ridgline.
DSC03922 Now making the traverse with the summit up ahead.
Now making the traverse with the summit up ahead.
DSC03923 Looking downhill from the trail. This was definitely one of the scariest traverses I've done in the snow. It's steeper than it looks, and it's probably about...
Looking downhill from the trail. This was definitely one of the scariest traverses I've done in the snow. It's steeper than it looks, and it's probably about…
DSC03930 A little false summit with the real summit actually behind it.
A little false summit with the real summit actually behind it.
DSC03931 Made it! Two summits down, one to go. 2:52pm and feeling pretty good.
Made it! Two summits down, one to go. 2:52pm and feeling pretty good.
DSC03932 The last little patch of snow on the mountain.
The last little patch of snow on the mountain.