Fish Creek Saddle Loop via Lost Creek Trail
19.5 mi
Distance
10 hrs 13 min
Time
terrain
3,520 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate loop trail to Fish Creek Saddle in San Gorgonio Wilderness.
This trail goes by Aspen Grove, Fish Creek Meadows, Lodge Pole Spring, Dry Lake, and South Fork Campground.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
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.
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