The PCT through Whitewater and Mission Creek drainages was significantly damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023. Many people have turned around due to landslides and cliffs blocking the trail. Other people have reported very challenging conditions. Damage includes multiple steep cliff faces, and the riverbed trail is now a boulder and debris field. The PCT runs through both river bottoms and is essentially fully destroyed in those places. Reports indicate that the most significant impacts to travel are in the upper portion of North Fork Mission Creek (~mile 235-239), an area managed by San Bernardino National Forest in Sand to Snow National Monument. We expect travel to be challenging through both drainages but especially all along Mission Creek – you first enter that drainage around mile 225 in San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Serious caution is advised. Many people would be wise to plan trips elsewhere.

If you do enter the area, leave a trip plan with your trusted contact, be prepared to turn around, carry extra food, and know that your safety is your responsibility. The time to make a safety decision is before it’s too late. The full extent of the damage along Whitewater and Mission Creeks has not been seen by our organization yet. The area is remote and roads accessing the area have been damaged. We anticipate that some of our initial response will take place in Spring 2024 and that repair work will take years.

To skip around this area:

Consider leaving the trail between Interstate 10 (209.5) or Whitewater Preserve (218.5) and Rainbow Lane (250.2) or Onyx Summit (252.2). A limited public transit network exists that may help you travel between Interstate 10 and Big Bear. SunLine Transit Agency operates the Commuter Link 220, which stops at Casino Morongo and Beaumont Walmart and reaches the San Bernardino Transit Center. Mountain Transit provides service from the San Bernardino Transit Center to Big Bear Lake, and Big Bear City. Google Maps' transit feature will help you see these options.