Cactus to Clouds Trail
The picture to the left is the rock near the start of the Cactus to Clouds trail. It is about a mile from the Desert Museum in Palm Springs, or two miles from the end of Ramon Road. Ten more miles with seven thousand feet of elevation gain. There is no water on the route.
The picture to the right is a group on the summit of East San Bernardino Pk. There is no water on this trail unless you side trip to Alger Creek which adds about two miles both ways. There is very little shade to be found here.
Half way up the trail at 4300 ft., we know how much more we still have to do, Heaven help us. We are tired already.
The next picture is of Cy, near the top of East San Bernardino Peak, which can be reached by the Momyer Trail. It starts about a mile below Forest Falls, and is seven miles one way and 5000 ft., of elevation gain. There is a good description of this trail in "San Bernardino Mountain Trail" by John W. Robinson.
The picture to the left is the metal plaque near the start of the trail at 1700 ft., elevation. This tells you that you have almost 10 miles to go with more 6800 ft., elevation gain and need more than one gallon of water.
Coffman's Crag, half an hour from the top, 31 switchbacks should get you there. That's about 600 ft., higher.
The picture to the left is the signpost marker near the top of Mt. San Gorgonio. This is the junction of the Vivian Creek Trail and the trail from Dollar Lake Saddle. It is extremely windy here, and rain often falls in the afternoon in summer. Get an early start as the cloud build up starts after 11am.
The picture to the right is of San Jacinto from Snow Creek, 8800 ft elevation gain in six miles. See the description in John Robinson's book "San Bernardino Mountain Trails."
The picture to the left is of Cy at the tramway above Palm Springs. He lost a pound in body weight for every 1000 ft he ascended on the Cactus to Clouds trail to get to the tramway - that means a total of eight pounds altogether. The temperature drops one degree farenhite for every 250 ft you go up.
Iron Mtn. is 2000 ft., below Mt. Baldy. It is 7 miles each way with 7200 ft., of elevation gain. Take the Heaton Flat trail to the Allison Saddle at 4582 ft. Leave the trail and head north up the ridge after dropping down 200 ft., Drive north on Azusa Ave for 12 miles and turn right at the East Fork bridge 6 miles.