Dobbs Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Dobbs Peak, overshadowing the first 5 miles of the Vivian Creek Trail, is named for the colorful mountain man John W. Dobbs, whose interesting story is recounted in the summit history, his former cabin site now a campground on the side of Anderson Peak.
Route 1 follows the Vivian Creek Trail, passing Jepson along the way and making a possible double (or triple with San Gorgonio) peak combination. Route 2 follows the South Fork Trail, passing both Charlton and Jepson on the way. Route 3 is a more challenging route that starts above Vivian Creek Trail Camp and ascends a steep gully to reach the west ridge of Dobbs.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
Go 8.0 miles to the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Continue east on SR 38 about 5 miles to the Valley of the Falls Road on the right. Turn right.
Drive 4.25 miles to the Vivian Creek parking area at the end of the road. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6080′), hike past the locked gate on the initially paved road east for 1/2 mile to where the trail descends into the wash.
Cross the wash and pick up the trail again on the north side. Hike up the trail to where it intersects the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07) at 11,240′.
Turn left and hike about 1 mile to where the trail crosses a ridge at about 10,880′.
Leave the trail and hike southeast down the ridge to a saddle.
Turn right and hike west about 3/4 mile to the summit.
Driving route
Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
Continue east on SR 38 about 26 miles to Jenks Lake Road on the right. Turn right (south).
Continue to the signed South Fork Trailhead parking lot on the left. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6850′), hike the South Fork Trail (1E04) past the old Poopout Hill trailhead to South Fork at Slushy Meadows where the Dry Lake Trail forks left (8200′).
Keep right on the South Fork Trail and continue to the fork to Dollar Lake (9520′).
Keep right again and continue to Dollar Lake Saddle (9960′), at a junction with the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07).
Turn left on 1W07 and follow it south about 2 miles to a point where it crosses a ridge at about 10,880′.
Leave the trail and hike southeast down the ridge to a saddle.
Turn right and hike west about 3/4 mile to the summit.
Route Notes
Driving route
Take I-10 east past San Bernardino to the Orange Street exit (SR 38).
Go one block east, then go north (left) 0.5 mile to Lugonia Avenue. Turn right on SR 38 (east).
Go 8.0 miles to the Mill Creek Ranger Station.
Continue east on SR 38 about 5 miles to the Valley of the Falls Road on the right. Turn right.
Drive 4.25 miles to the Vivian Creek parking area at the end of the road. Park here.
Hiking route
From the Vivian Creek trailhead (6080′), walk up the road about 1/2 mile to the Mill Creek crossing.
Cross the creek and proceed about 1 mile to where the trail crosses a creek (on a large log) at the 7200′ contour.
Ascend the slope generally north, avoiding brush as best you can until you attain a ridge running generally east at about 8200′.
Continue east and the east-northeast along this ridge, staying slightly to the north side to avoid brush, to the summit.
Special conditions: If descending Route 3, take care to turn south at the point the ridge runs out, lest you descend into Falls Creek.
Additional Peak Information
Special Conditions: There is water at High Meadow Spring Campground, 1 mile northwest of Dollar Lake Saddle, along trail 1W07. This is an excellent campsite for backpacking along this ridge.
Alternate routes: When climbing Dobbs Peak via the Vivian Creek Trail (Route 1), it is possible to return to the trail by descending southwest from the summit and meeting the trail near 7200′. This saves considerable mileage and time but requires significant navigation skills. See Route 3.
Permits for day or overnight use are required for all routes and have a limit of 12. Permits can be obtained online from the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association at swga.org up to 90 days in advance or at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, 9 miles from Redlands on SR 38.
Historical note: The peak was named for an early explorer in the area. In 1904 the George Grant party was led by a guide named Dobbs to the summit, reaching it as a thunderstorm broke. A bolt of lightning struck Dobbs and knocked him senseless. Another bolt killed another member of the party. Dobbs had to be restrained until help arrived the next morning, when he regained his senses but not his memory. (Charles Francis Saunders’ “The Southern Sierras of California”, 1923).
External Links
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External Links
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Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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