Lightning Gulch Point and Onyx Peak in San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Hike Lightning Gulch Point and Onyx Peak San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Class 1 12.1 miles 2200 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back May 21, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Lightning Gulch Point and Onyx Peak GPX Track

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Lightning Gulch Point and Onyx Peak are a couple of minor summits east of Sugarloaf Mountain within the San Bernardino Mountains. Amanda and I decided to hike these from Onyx Summit off CA-38. Neither peak is particularly interesting, but we enjoyed the hike to both nonetheless.

Starting west toward Lightning Gulch Point first, we crossed the busy highway and located the somewhat difficult-to-find trail, which snaked up the slope steeply for a bit until turning into old doubletrack. This was easy to follow as it continued within the trees through uninspiring terrain. There were a couple of small hills to hike up and over along the way and a couple of small lookout points. Eventually Lightning Gulch Point came into view. After a final dip, the doubletrack climbs steeply to the summit, where we enjoyed some very nice panoramic views towards Mount San Gorgonio and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Back at the trailhead, we started up toward Onyx Peak. We could have just taken the dirt road all the way up, but since the Pacific Crest Trail parallels this road, we decided to follow that instead. The views were quite nice along this section of trail, though it was short-lived since the PCT intersected the forest road just over a mile later. We followed the road up to Onyx Peak's summit, which offered some cool views of the desert to the east. You could either backtrack the same way or descend off-trail directly west down the steep slope.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Lightning Gulch Point
9465 ft
705 rise
2
Onyx Peak
9113 ft
670 rise

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After crossing the highway, we started up the trail to Lightning Gulch Point.
After crossing the highway, we started up the trail to Lightning Gulch Point.
View back, Onyx Peak seen over there.
View back, Onyx Peak seen over there.
Ascending the faded trail.
Ascending the faded trail.
The trail becomes old doubletrack.
The trail becomes old doubletrack.
View back, Onyx Peak seen center.
View back, Onyx Peak seen center.
A short viewpoint to the north.
A short viewpoint to the north.
Along the trail toward Lightning Gulch Point.
Along the trail toward Lightning Gulch Point.
Passing through some bristlecones.
Passing through some bristlecones.
It's not a very exciting trail hike.
It's not a very exciting trail hike.
Lightning Gulch Point seen ahead.
Lightning Gulch Point seen ahead.
This is one of a few drops along the ridgeline hike.
This is one of a few drops along the ridgeline hike.
Final steep ascent to the summit.
Final steep ascent to the summit.
Just below Lightning Gulch Point, view back down.
Just below Lightning Gulch Point, view back down.
Lightning Gulch Point summit.
Lightning Gulch Point summit.
Lightning Gulch Point wide shot.
Lightning Gulch Point wide shot.
Sugarloaf Mountain seen over there.
Sugarloaf Mountain seen over there.
San Gorgonio Mountain.
San Gorgonio Mountain.
Back at Onyx Summit (the saddle separating the two peaks), now onto Onyx Peak.
Back at Onyx Summit (the saddle separating the two peaks), now onto Onyx Peak.
View back toward the trailhead as we reached the PCT junction.
View back toward the trailhead as we reached the PCT junction.
Views along the PCT.
Views along the PCT.
Lightning Gulch Point seen top right.
Lightning Gulch Point seen top right.
Image 21 from gallery
Some nice views along the Pacific Crest Trail.
Some nice views along the Pacific Crest Trail.
The PCT met up with the Onyx Peak access road, so we took the road up from here.
The PCT met up with the Onyx Peak access road, so we took the road up from here.
Onyx Peak visible over there.
Onyx Peak visible over there.
Keep right at this junction.
Keep right at this junction.
Views along the summit road.
Views along the summit road.
Onyx Peak summit.
Onyx Peak summit.
View east into the desert below.
View east into the desert below.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!