Shields Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Shields Peak was named for Leila Shields, who loved the outdoors and managed the camp of a surveyor mapping the San Gorgonio area in the 1920s. This hike is the 9th highest peak in SoCal. Part of the beautiful San Bernardino Divide Trail, most hikers will summit this peak via the Forsee Creek trail mentioned in Route 1. The four pack of peaks at the top of this ridge are often strung together for an epic multi-peak hike. Much of the lovely surrounding forest burned in the 2020 El Dorado Fire, but is beginning to regrow slowly.
Route 1 describes the main and most direct route up the Forsee Creek Trail. Route 2 uses the South Fork trailhead to reach the top. Route 3 describes the route from Anderson Peak, reached by the various routes described in that peak guide. Route 4 is a very strenuous route along the Momyer Trail from the South.
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).
Continue east on SR 38 about 26 miles to paved Jenks Lake Road on the right. Turn right (south).
Drive 0.3 mile to a fork at a sign “Forsee Creek Trail”. Turn right (southwest).
Keep left at an immediate fork. Drive 0.5 mile farther to a parking lot at a sign “Forsee Creek Trail”. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6720′), hike up the Forsee Creek Trail (1E06). At about 1/4 mile you will pass a Wilderness Area sign. About 200 yards farther the trail forks. The signed “Johns Meadow” trail goes to the right.
Go left (signed “Jackstraw Springs”). Proceed about 5 1/2 miles (passing by a turnoff to Jackstraw Springs at 9250′ to Trail Fork Springs at 10,400′.
Turn left at a trail junction just past Trail Fork Springs and follow the trail southeast to where it meets the San Bernardino Peak Trail.
Continue east to where the trail begins to descend the left side of the ridge.
Leave the trail on the right and follow the very rocky ridge east a short distance to the summit. Any path through the talus slope can be taken to reach the summit.
Printable Route
Road Type
Google Maps Link to Trailhead
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 (restrooms). Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6900′), 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.
Keep straight and continue to Dollar Lake Saddle (9960′), at a junction with the San Bernardino Peak Trail (1W07).
Hike west on 1W07 for 2 miles to where it comes out on the ridge just west of Shields Peak.
Come back east along the very rocky ridge to the summit.
Route Notes
Driving route
Follow the driving and hiking instructions in the Anderson Peak guide.
Hiking route
From the summit of Anderson Peak, descend northeast down the ridge to the San Bernardino Peak Trail.
Continue east about 1/3 mile to where the trail begins to descend the left side of the ridge.
Leave the trail on the right and follow the very rocky ridge east a short distance to the summit.
From Anderson Peak.
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 miles to the Mill Creek Ranger Station, a standard rendezvous spot.
Continue east on SR 38 about 5 miles to the Valley of the Falls Road on the right.
Turn right. Drive 2 3/4 miles to a large parking area on the left with a sign showing the start of the Momyer Trail. Park here.
Hiking route
From the trailhead (5500′), follow the trail northward and cross Mill Creek. Pick up the trail on the north side of the creek.
In 2 1/2 miles encounter a fork. The right fork goes to Alger Creek Trail Camp and Dollar Lake Saddle.
Turn left. Proceed up the steep, mostly shadeless trail for another 4 1/2 miles to the top of the ridge at the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail (1W07) (10,400′).
Turn right and continue east on trail 1W07 about 1 mile to where the trail begins to descend the left side of the ridge.
Leave the trail on the right and follow the very rocky ridge east a short distance to the summit. Any path through the talus slope can be taken to reach the summit.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: 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.
If backpacking in the area, there is water at springs along the Forsee Creek Trail.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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