The only peak Erin didn't summit back in July during her training for Mt. Whitney is no longer a "didn't" but a "did." Pay back. San Bernardino Peak is now under her belt.
Erin reached the top of the 10,649 foot peak along with my other friends. It was her fourth peak "bagged." The others were Baden-Powell (9,399), San Jacinto (10,834), Mt. Whitney (14,497). Four down, 96 more to go.
Francisco, Helen, Kim, Joe, Paul and me.
The group started under the cover of darkness at 6:08 a.m. We had a couple of rest stops in between to get in and out of our extra layers. 
We rested at Limber Pine Bench before making the last 2.2 miles to the summit.
Paul, Helen, Joe, Francisco and Kim at Stone BenchWe stopped at Stone Bench to take in the spectacular view of the Inland Empire as well as the surrounding mountains.
We reached the summit a 10:55 a.m. For Erin, Joe, Paul, Frank, and Kim it was their first summit of San Bernardino Peak.
Joe, Kim, Erin and I headed back down at 11:18 a.m. while the rest of the group stays to take it all in. Erin is experiencing ankle problems and dons her Teva sandals for the descent.
At Manzanita Springs we meet a park ranger. This is the first time on this trail I have seen a park ranger. She checks our permit and allows us to proceed.
We finished the hike at 2:38 p.m.
A total of 15.8 miles in 8.5 hours.
Gear: Arcteryx long-sleeve, REI Sahara convertible pants, Montrail high tops, Smartwool socks, Leki Super Makalu trekking poles, CamelBak Commander pack, The North Face vest and gloves, Buff headwear.
Lessons learned: Autumn has certain arrived. Time to start bringing the extra layers. Luckily I brought my gloves. Others did not. Plantain chips from Trader Joe's are AWESOME! Thank you, Helen!
We reached the summit a 10:55 a.m. For Erin, Joe, Paul, Frank, and Kim it was their first summit of San Bernardino Peak.
Joe, Kim, Erin and I headed back down at 11:18 a.m. while the rest of the group stays to take it all in. Erin is experiencing ankle problems and dons her Teva sandals for the descent.
At Manzanita Springs we meet a park ranger. This is the first time on this trail I have seen a park ranger. She checks our permit and allows us to proceed.
We finished the hike at 2:38 p.m.
A total of 15.8 miles in 8.5 hours.
Gear: Arcteryx long-sleeve, REI Sahara convertible pants, Montrail high tops, Smartwool socks, Leki Super Makalu trekking poles, CamelBak Commander pack, The North Face vest and gloves, Buff headwear.
Lessons learned: Autumn has certain arrived. Time to start bringing the extra layers. Luckily I brought my gloves. Others did not. Plantain chips from Trader Joe's are AWESOME! Thank you, Helen!
