Trip date: 8/10/2014

Location: San Bernardino National Forest - (San Gorgonio Wilderness)

Permit/Pass: Forest Adventure Day Pass: $5. Forest Adventure Annual Pass: $30. Interagency (National Parks) Annual Pass: $80. This hike travels through the San Gorgonio Wilderness area of the San Bernardino NF and requires a permit (free for day hiking). Permits can be obtained either at the Mill Creek Ranger Station or the Barton Flats Visitor Center.

Maps: NA

Directions: After picking up Hwy. 38 in Redlands, CA, follow 38 east into the San Bernardino National Forest. The drive turns back to the north, then heads east again as it passes through the  town of Angelus Oaks. Drive 5.7 miles to the junction with Jenks Lake Rd. West. Turn right onto Jenks Lake Rd and go 2.5 miles to a left turn into the parking lot for the South Fork trail. There is no trailhead sign. Head to the lower, north end of the parking lot and pick one of the many worn paths heading to the northwest.

Synopsis: A short easy trip to a nice place for lunch. Jenks Lake has picnic tables, a fishing pier, and good access paths. It can be crowded and noisy on busy summer weekends, but the scenery makes for a pretty stroll.

Trail sequence: NA

Type: Balloon loop

Distance: 1.8 miles

Elevation: Min 6661’, Max - 6917’

Profile:

Rating: Easy (factors: altitude)

Trail notes: The trail to Jenks Lake is often indistinct, especially near the South Fork trail parking lot. Know the direction you wish to head and work your way along the tiny creek that flows into the lake. 

Jenks Lake - San Gorgonio Wilderness 

Turn by turn:

  -- This hike is short, and easy, but bring your compass with you just in case. Leave the north end of the parking lot and work to the northwest at first, keeping an eye out for the trail, which is often indistinct (a lot of this area has been trodden and is pretty open). As you turn toward the west you'll notice Jenks Lake Rd. to the south, and eventually you see an access road from the main road dropping down in the direction of the lake.

  -- As you near the access road you converge with a tiny creek flowing toward the lake. There are paths on both sides of the creek that you can follow.

  -- Once at the lake there are dirt trails, as well as some paved handicapped access, that together combine to encircle the lake.

  -- Retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Photo gallery: Flickr