photos: HIKING to SAN GORGONIO PEAK (highest peak in southern California) + Biblical Inspiration

see video at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2YDSdrdKIg

so i began the hike in darkness...this is about 30 minutes later as the sun is just starting to rise 

30 minutes later i am able to start taking photos

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord. 

Psalm 27:14

after you hike up the road (and past a few cabins) you cross over a big dry riverbed...and go up for a while, and come to a sign saying you are entering the "wilderness" (permits required for overnight hikes, NOT for day hikes anymore) 

this is also where
 the first "camp" is..

taking a brief break

"HALFWAY CAMP" ...must have hiked 5 miles already...it always SEEMS to go so fast going up..but coming down is a different story.. logic would say going down must be easier & faster, but maybe not... 

starting to get some 
nice long views 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy ...

...he has given us newbirth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

1 Peter 1:3

there IS A CREEK (hence the name "Vivian Creek") but MOST of the time you are NOT close enough to it to see or hear it...let alone refill your water bottle, but up near HIGH CREEK CAMP is a good place to refill your bottle or take a break.. 

[Jesus said,] "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live,even though he dies;...

 & whoever lives & believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 

John 11:25

made it to HIGH CREEK CAMP !

"God looks down from heaven on the sons of men ...

to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." Psalm 53:2

perfect day for hiking...it remained cool, even cold sometimes, but clear, and the sun was warm at the right times.. and great views 

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

as you approach the peak you begin to leave the big trees behind...

...and you start to see a few random patches of snow..even some bigger piles in a few places

...the first peak i saw I thought was the "top" but as it turns out, there's several "false peaks" ...and you must keep going...to get to the actual "old greyback" (the nickname for Gorgonio Peak) 

a few more signs..summit camp, dollar creek, etc  

 and the MOST IMPORTANT ONE...THE PEAK !!

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...

 Stand firm, then, & do not let yourselves beburdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

MORE SNOW... 

 AND FINALLY I MADE IT !!!...and was greeted by a CHIPMUNK
...obviously used to being fed by humans 

 Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:28-30

 trying to take a SELFIE 
with a fairly heavy sign

a box to ADD YOUR THOUGHTS  

 THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MARKER, also see this link to put the range into perspective 
http://www.socalmountains.com/e107_files/public/1296453847_4_FT0_san_gorgonio_webcam_labels.jpg

 A FEW MOMENTS OF "GLORY" at the top, then it's TURN AROUND TIME..heading right back down...eight or ten miles...want to get back before dark

back at HIGH CREEK CAMP i used my "LIFE STRAW" to drink several cups of clear cool water 
from the creek 

 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

seems short, quick, & easy,  if you're just scrolling the photos, but the HIKE DOWN seemed to TAKE FOREVER...FEET SO SORE... WOW...this was my LONGEST  & HIGHEST hike  I've ever taken in southern California at 11,503 feet...

& my longest hike of all AFTER MOUNT WHITNEY, the highest peak in California & the continental USA at 14,505 feet )... yes, i have done mount whitney, about 10 years ago...  see
http://hiking-mount-whitney.blogspot.com/

 Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead ...

 comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

 If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, ...

 you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, ...

 and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

 Romans 10:9-10

 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, ...

 but to us who are being saved it is   the power of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:18

above:  here's the RIVER BED I CROSSED in the dark in the morning

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

 John 3:17