Dry Lake
11.2 mi
Distance
5 hrs 59 min
Time
terrain
2,251 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult out and back trail to Dry Lake in San Gorgonio Wilderness.
This trail goes by Poopout Hill.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Hiked Thurs 06/22/2023 solo – South Fork Trail to Dry Lake Trail to Lodgepole Trail to Fish Creek Saddle. Cross country route across six peaks on Ten Thousand Foot Ridge. As others have said, thanks to the trail crews that cleared the trees from the South Fork Trail – greatly appreciated. South Fork Meadows upper/lower log/rock water crossings are trustworthy. Several trees blocking the Dry Lake switchbacks take a little time to bypass. Great to see Dry Lake at capacity and very scenic right now. 10 Thousand Foot Ridge has some really neat tree/rock settings along the way but also massive timber piles in places that take some time to go over/around but added to the adventure. Going up and down the peaks involved linking the animal use trails together and many summit rock scrambles that were a lot of fun (all easy class 1). The constant views from the ridge line to the north and south were spectacular including the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Ranges and well worth the effort. Still looks like spring along the way with the whitethorn, manzanita and wildflowers still blooming. Added a few more cairns to the Lodgepole Trail switchbacks which aren’t easy to spot (could use many more). Saw 1 bear and 2 coyotes early in the day. Putting on bug repellent before the hike worked well, never using my net. Plenty of water at Lodgepole Spring. Peaks - Lake, 10K, Carmen, USFS 10060, USGS 9971, USGS 9880. Logged 20.7 miles/4597 vertical ft. with Gaia............................................................................................................................................................. Hiked Tuesday 05/02/2023 solo – South Fork Trail to Dry Lake Trail, Lodgepole Trail to Fish Creek Saddle, Grinnell Mtn-Lake Peak summits. Started from SF Trailhead on dirt that made dust for the first time this year! Bare booted the entire way to Fish Creek Saddle on firm snow thanks to this week’s low pressure and an alpine start. Most of the fallen trees on SF Trail were smooth enough to hop/slide over easily with a full pack, the one exception being the tree at the Lost Creek Trail Junction that must be bypassed. This was also where the first real snow started. There were several muddy places on the trail and some stretches of 4-6 inch deep run off, all of which can still be bypassed if you’re in trail runners. That said, I was glad to be in Gore-Tex mountain boots, slogging down the middle. Dry Lake is really starting to melt so careful navigation along the shoreline, especially on the eastern side is necessary to avoid falling through the top snow layer. Used crampons for “walking up” the firm snow packs on Grinnell Mtn and Lake Peak. I stopped at Dry Lake on the way back for an hour to warm up some food/drinks and take in the awesome, clear views of the Front Range from Lake Peak to the Charltons. The South Fork River is really picking up momentum, winding its way under the snow from Fish Creek Saddle down through South Fork Meadows. Met a friendly group of people finishing a ski tour at SF Meadows on the way out. Just under 16 miles on a day with little wind, never unpacking my snow shoes. It’s been a great winter in S.G. – going up the couloirs this year was awesome! Logged 14.6 miles/3682 vertical ft. on Gaia ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Day hiked solo Friday 03/17/2023 –South Fork Trail to Dry Lake Trail, Lodgepole Trail to Fish Creek Saddle, N-NW ascent of Lake Peak. Started early to get the best snow of the day but the rain formed a 1-2 inch crust over a softened base. Used snow shoes from Dry Lake up to Fish Creek Saddle/Lake Peak. Didn’t bother with crampons as there was no ice and snow too soft to set points in. Not the same spoiling 1 finger/pencil hard snow from before the closure as I post holed 4 inches on long tail snow shoes for 90 percent of the trek. There was loose powder above 10K ft. It was a great work out and a beautiful day with the view of Jepson Bowl from Lake Peak worth the climb. Nice to get the closure over with while there’s still snow to travel in. Didn’t encounter any sizeable wind slabs on my way up, but there were a few slopes with pin wheeling and several inches of crust with short crack forming. Never had any falling rime ice hit my helmet but heard some sizeable pieces hit the ground. Made stops at Dry Lake and South Fork Meadow on the way down to take in the views with the wind almost non-existent all day. A fun but strenuous day with the weather not as cold as expected. Logged 13.2 miles/3337 vertical ft. on Gaia
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Day hiked solo on 12/22/22 – Very nice snow and weather conditions with little wind. Went out on South Fork Trail with micro spikes to Dry Lake via winter route. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. Put on snowshoes and went up to the base of San Gorgonio Mountain. Switched to crampons and ice axe to survey climb northern chute. Resumed the hike by traversing over and down to Mineshaft Saddle and then up Zahniser Peak. Switched back to snow shoes to try Fish Creek Trail but snow was too deep. Headed back down to Dry Lake with excellent powder conditions and then almost all the way back to the South Fork Trailhead on snow shoes before boots only. Was a spectacular day to enjoy the SG backcountry. Tracked 14.3 hiking miles and 3560 feet.
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