Wysup Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Wysup Peak is named for legendary Angeles Chapter and HPS leader George Wysup; a brief biography can be found in the summit notes. It is a lovely rocky outcrop with peaceful views to the north east and south. Route 1 is on PCT from the north and starts from Onyx Summit. Note that Onyx Summit is the closest entry point from that direction that does not cross private property.
Route 2 is a shorter route that starts from the south from Coon Creek Campground, with its historic log cabins and magnificent views over the Coon Creek Jumpoff. Route 3 starts from the Heart Bar trailhead and proceeds east for a pleasant and scenic ridge hike.
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 33 miles to 1N02, the road to Heart Bar Campground, on the right. Keep straight.
Continue 6.0 miles farther to Onyx Summit (8443′).
Large open space on right – park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (8443′), hike up the road on the right until junction of PCT reached, approximately 100 yards.
Continue on PCT south. At 2 miles a wild animal preserve is encountered on your left. (One grizzly bear and a mountain lion are visible.) The PCT passes through private property for the next 300 feet – crossing Rainbow Lane and continuing up a dirt road.
At approximately 3 miles, the PCT jogs first to the left/east then right/south for 50 yards then abruptly to the right/west and switchbacks for about a mile, where it climbs to 8750′.
On the right a large open/flat gully joins the PCT, just before the trail heads downhill.
It’s a little more than 0.4 mile to the summit via the ducked use trail. Follow gully veering toward left to avoid rocks/boulders.
Continue west toward visible summit. Wysup Peak is the second summit block.
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, a parking area for the PCT, park here, at Coon Creek Jumpoff.
Hiking route
From the parking area (8060′), follow the PCT to the north, passing to the west of point 8672.
Continue on PCT north to a saddle that has an intersection with abandoned 4WD road. Continue north on the obvious tread of the PCT, climbing slightly to a high point on the trail at 8750′.
On the left a large open/flat gully joins the PCT, just before the trail heads downhill.
Follow the gully westerly, veering toward left to avoid rocks/boulders.
Continue west toward visible summit. Wysup Peak is the second summit block.
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).
Continue east on SR 38 about 33 miles to 1N02, the road to Heart Bar Campground, on the right. Keep straight.
Go another 1.6 miles farther east on SR 38 to an obscure, paved road signed 1N38 that intersects the main highway at a right angle (mileage marker 32.12 marks the exact spot). Turn right. Park on this road just off the main highway or drive downhill (pavement ends within 50′) to a clearing and park about 100 yards from the highway turnoff.
From Big Bear City drive about 13.5 miles east and then south on SR 38.
Hiking route
From the parking are (7240′), go up the seldom-driven jeep track that starts at the parking area and runs southeast along the base of the slope.
Follow the dirt road past a gully, then up switchbacks for about 1.4 miles total until it crosses a ridge at 7900′. Continue on the road another 800 feet as it goes around to the north side of this ridge and then heads south and crosses the ridge again at 8000′. Leave the trail here and go up the ridge on the left. (Stay on the road to instead visit Heart Bar Peak.)
At 8500′, the road crosses the ridge again briefly. Continue on the road again to where it ends at 8700′. (It is also possible to continue up the ridge to this same point.)
Follow the ridge east over point 8868′ and down to a saddle at 8650′ where another road crosses. Follow this road to the left for approximately 0.4 mile as it contours around the north side of point 8763′. Leave the road on the right and go back onto the top of the ridge.
Stay on the ridge as it continues east and then southeast past point 8745′. Shortly, yet another road comes up to the ridge from the south and follows the ridge for about 0.2 mile.
Where the road continues east, contouring around the north side of the ridge, turn southeast and go between the ridge on the left and a rocky bump on the right. This leads to a large bowl. The peak is at the southeast corner of this bowl.
Note: One alternative is to simply follow the road up from the parking area to 8700′. However, the road is very steep and slippery between 8200′ and 8500′. It is also possible to hike up the ridge starting at Highway 38 just east of the turnoff for 1N02.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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