Class:
3BIII
Gear:
Rope: 1 @ 200’, 2 @ 120′, 45′ of webbing, steel rappel rings,Tree anchors at each drop but be prepared to build alternative natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps.
Expected Time Commitment:
Car to car for a small solid team 6 hours on high water days
Technical Obstacles:
4 long rappel directly in the water course.
Non Technical Obstacles:
Some Poison oak, snakes, loose rock & steep earth slope hikes between rappels.
–> Wilderness Permit required (not the same as parking permit). Must obtain from a ranger’s station to be allowed to go past the wilderness sign mentioned below. If you hike up without one and a ranger is coming down, they *will* stop you.
Recommended Time of Year:
Year round minus cold winter days or heavy rains or run off periods.
Finding the Trail Head:
Head east on I-10 E., 2.7 mi
Take the University St exit., 0.3 mi
Turn left at N University St., 1.0 mi
Turn right at E Lugonia Ave., 1.6 mi
Continue on Mentone Blvd., 2.0 mi
Continue on CA-38/Mill Creek Rd
Continue to follow CA-38., 9.4 mi
Slight right at Valley of the Falls Dr., 4.2 mi
Turn left at Falls Campground Rd., 0.3 mi
Turn left to stay on Falls Campground Rd., 0.4 mi
Drive up through Forest Falls to the end of the road where there is trailhead parking for the Vivian Creek Trail.
The Approach:
From the parking area hike east along the well-marked Vivian Creek Trail following the south bank of Mill Creek. After about 0.5mi the trail crosses the Mill Creek Wash; cross the wash and follow the trail as it switchbacks up the north wall of Mill Creek. The climb is steep and unrelenting but eventually begins to ease as you pass the sign entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Just a few minutes later the trail approaches the east bank of Vivian Creek and you have reached the drop-in point. About a 1 hour hike.
The Canyon Descent:
#1 160′
# Optional 25′ rappel off tree anchor, or steep scree slope descent in gully on left
#2 90′
#3 70′
#4 120′
Egress:
From the base of the last falls hike down stream back to Mill Creek. Cross Mill Creek and head back to the car park.
