Three Sisters

Three Sisters Better, photo by Kathy Wing

Three Sisters, photo by Kathy Wing

ThreeSisters 23G Onyx1, taken from Chaparrosa, photo by Sharon Moore

The historic Coon Creek Cabin today. Photo from recreation.gov

Charles Tayles and the Coon Creek Cabin lodge

The historic Coon Creek Cabin, lodge run by Big Bear resident Charles Tayles, now a campground. Photo by Big Bear Valley Historical Society

Three Sisters, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Three Sisters

23H

Elevation

8100

feet

Status

active

Region

East Of Big Bear Lake

Range

San Bernardino Mountains

Nearby peaks

Location

34.1388978,-116.6372403

Description

Three Sisters is a beautiful system of three rolling peaks that are a joy to hike. From the middle Sister, the HPS peak, one can see San Gorgonio area peaks to the west, and the desert to the east, and there are good wildflowers in the spring. Route 1 starts from Coon Creek Campground which has restrooms and water when open, and three log cabins of the historic lodge that operated here for nearly 50 years which are interesting to explore.

The complex overlooks the dramatic Coon Creek Jumpoff which one should take a few minutes to enjoy. The trail starts on old road then meanders up and down across the ridge to the HPS summit.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

1800′ total, 900′ out plus 900′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

7 miles round trip on road and cross-country

Estimated time

3-4 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

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 33 miles to 1N02, the road to Heart Bar Campground, on the right. Turn right. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.2 miles, fork. Go left (east) on 1N02 at sign “Coon Creek”.
At 1.5 miles, fork. Go left (east) on 1N02.
At 5.4 miles, locked gate. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (8060′), go left around the gate through a break in the fence and hike east up the dirt road, past a cabin. After about 0.7 mile the road forks.
Take the right fork (shown as a jeep road on the topo) and follow it around the north side of elevation 8369′ into a saddle. Continue to the end of the road at about 8250′.
Then continue cross-country to elevation 8350′. From here go east down the ridge, keeping generally on the north side to avoid brush, to the saddle at 7880’+, between elevation 8350′ and elevation 8100′.
Hike up to the HPS summit on elevation 8100′.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Notes: In 1969, elevation 7632′ was designated as the HPS summit, and the hiking route was via Big Morongo Canyon. Though not the high point of the ridge, that summit did have a fine view out over the desert to the east. Problems with private property owners in Big Morongo Canyon led the HPS in 1983 to designate elevation 8080’+, a high point along the ridge, as the official summit. Private property postings in 2001 caused the HPS summit to be moved about 0.8 mile to the west to elevation 8100′.