Epic Hike to San Bernardino Peak via Angelus Oaks
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San Bernardino Peak is one of the original SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge hikes, and I chose this as my sixth peak for my 2024 challenge. This hike, which climbs from 5,930 to 10,649 feet, offers a stroll through a burnt area from the 2020 wildfire, and stunning views including Big Bear Lake. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience on this trail and provide an update on dealing with altitude sickness now that I’ve tested the products I bought after San Jacinto.
About San Bernardino Peak Trail via Angelus Oaks
Hiking San Bernardino Peak from Angelus Oaks is a challenging yet rewarding adventure, taking you through a landscape marked by nature’s resilience. The sand-to-snow trail begins in the serene mountain community of Angelus Oaks and steadily ascends through various ecosystems, offering breathtaking views of the San Bernardino Mountains. Along the way, you’ll traverse an area impacted by the 2020 El Dorado Fire, where the charred remnants of trees stand as reminders of the wildfire that swept through this region. Despite the scars, the landscape is slowly recovering, with new growth emerging. The strenuous climb to the 10,649-foot summit is well worth the effort, as you’re rewarded with expansive views of Southern California from the top.
Parking at Angelus Oaks Trailhead
Reaching the trailhead may be your first challenge that day, requiring driving a short distance on a dirt road. My car tends to identify as an off-road vehicle, but I drive a regular FWD. I took it slowly (at 5mph!) and had no issues. There was a low-profile Tesla at the trailhead, so whatever you drive, you’ll most likely be fine. But beware that parking is limited. I was lucky to grab the last spot on my hiking day.
Permits to hike San Bernardino Peak
Two permits are required to hike the San Bernardino Peak Trail via Angelus Oaks.
- A Southern California Adventure Pass is required to be displayed in your vehicle at the trailhead.
- A San Gorgonio Wilderness permit is required to hike the area (both day hikes and overnight trips!) This permit is super easy and convenient to obtain online.
Gear Recommendation for San Bernardino Peak
In conjunction with the famous ten essentials, explore the following gear recommendations:
Altitude sickness prevention
I tried three products to prevent altitude sickness on this hike, and I felt significantly better compared to my San Jacinto hike, so I’d say they worked really well!
- Altitude RX is a natural supplement you take 24 hours before ascending to higher elevations. The dosage is two to four pills a day.
- Altitude Sickness Prevention Patches are applied to the body to help mitigate symptoms. I followed the instructions and placed one above my belly button and one behind my ear. The belly patch didn’t stay on all day due to sweat, so next time I’ll place both behind my ears. The patches have a spicy, ginger-like scent that you might notice at times. It didn’t bother me, but it could be strong for some people.
- Boost Oxygen is an oxygen canister you breathe from, helping you recover faster. It’s become my new best friend—I’m obsessed with it!
- Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink is a delicious, naturally colored, flavored electrolyte replacement drink mix with added vitamins and minerals for convenient, hydrating nutrition.
My experience hiking to San Bernardino Peak Trail via Angelus Oaks
I arrived at the trailhead at 7:50 am, just in time to snag the last parking spot—a lucky start to the day. By 8:10 am, I was on the trail, ready to conquer the mountain.
The hike began with a series of long switchbacks that lasted for the first two miles or so. As I ascended, I took a break at around 1.95 miles, finding a perfect spot on some shaded boulders. The view was already breathtaking, and I knew I was in for a treat. Just a little further up, at 2.14 miles, I found another boulder with stunning urban views, an even better place to pause and take it all in.
After finishing the switchbacks, I entered the eerie, burnt area. The landscape is both haunting and beautiful, a contrast that’s difficult to put into words. The trail is still ashy at times, and it became a bit prickly and overgrown around the 3-mile mark. But nothing compared to the Marion Mountain trail to San Jacinto.
One of the highlights was reaching a lovely flat section around mile 4. Here, I took a second break near a rusted wheelbarrow and a log that offered a comfortable seat. The trail continued to surprise me with a bench around mile 5, and by mile 6, I stumbled upon a water stream. This was a game-changer—I soaked my cooling towel, which provided much-needed relief from the heat.
The photos display the backcountry camping area known as Limber Pine Bench Camp. It’s a nice flat area, which must have gorgeous sunset views. A great spot for an overnight backpacking sleepover!
As I approached the 9,000-foot elevation mark, I started to struggle a bit with my breathing. The altitude was getting to me, and I had to stop every quarter mile to catch my breath. Luckily, I had my boost oxygen canister with me, and taking a few puffs helped. I was able to recover faster and keep pushing forward.
Finally, at 2:22 pm, I reached the San Bernardino Peak summit! The best part? I had it all to myself. I enjoyed a peaceful lunch, soaking in the views, and started my descent at around 3:00 pm. As I began to head down, the clouds started rolling in, and the wind picked up, urging me to move quickly.
The weather had been pretty hot throughout the hike (~80F), so I used my sun umbrella. However, the wind made it tricky to manage, so it became safer to rely on my cooling towel instead. The towel worked wonders after soaking it in the stream, keeping me cool for a good three miles. Unfortunately, it dried up with three miles still to go, and I didn’t want to use my drinking water to wet it again. Luckily, the last two miles were partially shaded, which made the final stretch a lot more bearable.
I returned to the trailhead at 5:40 pm, completing my hike with a healthy mix of fatigue and exhilaration. This was my sixth hike in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge, and I couldn’t be more proud of my achievement. Hiking San Bernardino Peak was an epic adventure, and the sense of accomplishment I felt at the end made every moment worth it.
Relive my hike to San Bernardino Peak
Check out my San Bernardino Peak hike on Relive! With Relive, you can create custom videos that vividly depict your journeys, turning memories into captivating stories for sharing. Share the beauty of your adventures and inspire others to explore nature through Relive’s immersive storytelling. Join this vibrant community and turn every adventure into a captivating visual story. Embrace the adventure and seize the chance to immortalize it with Relive!
Final thoughts on hiking to San Bernardino Peak
Hiking San Bernardino Peak was a true highlight of my weekend, and completing the first six peaks in the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge feels like a significant milestone! With renewed confidence and the right products to help me recover faster at high altitudes, I’m excited to continue this journey and conquer the remaining peaks in the coming months.
If this adventure inspires you, I encourage you to take on your own challenge—hitting the trails, setting new fitness goals, or exploring the great outdoors. Stay tuned for updates on my progress, and feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. Let’s conquer new heights together!
Post originally published on August 9, 2024, and last updated on September 18, 2024.
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