San Gorgonio Summit from South Fork Trail Head going up Dollar Lake side
( 11.6 miles 6880 feet to 11, 499 feet) Back down Dry Lake side ( 13.1
miles back to South Fork Trail Head and parking lot). Total mileage
24.7 miles. Total estimated time 9 - 12 hours. This would be
classified as a moderately difficult to difficult hike. There are some
fairly steep points of the climb and the altitude gets up pretty high
not to mention the 24.7 miles. You could call this a mountain marathon
although the distance is a little shy of a true marathon distance. My
fastest time was 6 hours and 13 minutes on a Saturday June 19, 2004
running most of it including only a 10 minute rest at the top and about
20 minutes talking to people on the way down. My fastest hiking time
was around 9 hours and my slowest time was around 14 hours because we
took someone with us who was out of shape and should never have
attempted the climb but he did make it. He was not a runner and his
last major hike was 5 years previous.

I suggest more than just a camel back for this hike as it can get pretty
warm on the way back down and can still be cold and windy at the top
requiring a coat or jacket. Also you will burn about 25% more calories
than you would in a marathon because of the climbing intensity. This is
a challenging hike but I think that anyone who is reasonalby close to
marathon shape should have no reall problem completing it.

I would like to organize carpooling from either drayson center or the
Mill
Creek Ranger station or both. We will need wilderness permits so I will
need to know how many are planning on attending. Also who is
Carpooling, Carpool Driver. Please RSVP by responding to this email or
emailing me directly at marathoner26.2@... Remember
wilderness permits run out quickly this time of year so RSVP early.

I will post this on the Inland Empire, CA Runners Facebook page as well.
If you are a member, you may RSVP there. Please leave a wall post
saying how many, and whether or not you plan to carpool and or be a
carpool driver. All vehicles will need adventure passes.

Rob, Please pass this on to the Runegades as well,

Russ