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- It is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. Tagged since March 2008.
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The San Gabriel Mountains, part of the Angeles National Forest. The southwest view from Islip Saddle shows Bear Creek, a tributary of the San Gabriel River that lies within the San Gabriel Wilderness, and Twin Peaks (7761 feet / 2365 m).
The east fork of the San Gabriel River is one of the most visited sites in the entire National Forest system.
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first San Bernardino National Forest and parts of Santa Barbara and San Gabriel National Forests. It covers 655,387 acres (1,024.0 sq mi/2,652.3 km²) and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, just north of the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, California. A small part extends eastward into southwestern San Bernardino County, in the Mount San Antonio ("Mount Baldy") area. A tiny section also extends westward into northeastern Ventura County, in the Lake Piru area. Forest headquarters are in Arcadia, California. The Angeles National Forest manages the watersheds within its boundaries to provide valuable water to Southern California and to protect surrounding communities from catastrophic floods.citation needed
The land within the Forest is diverse, both in appearance and terrain. Elevations range from 365-3,067 m (1,200-10,064 ft). Much of the Forest is covered with dense chaparral which changes to pine and fir-covered slopes as you reach the majestic peaks of the higher elevations. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the forest.
Species for which the forest is important include Bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa), Coulter Pine (Pinus coulteri) and California Walnut (Juglans californica).
The ANF contains three designated wilderness areas: Cucamonga Wilderness, San Gabriel Wilderness, and Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking at many locations in the Angeles National Forest and other National Forests in Southern California, and may be obtained online[1] or from visitor centers and local merchants. Los Angeles County has declared that they are not required on county-maintained roads. There are also many areas that do not require the pass.
History
The San Gabriel Forest Reserve was established on December 20, 1892, the San Bernardino Forest Reserve on February 25, 1893 and the Santa Barbara Forest Reserve on December 22, 1903. They became National Forests on March 4, 1907, and were combined on July 1, 1908, with all of San Bernardino and portions of San Gabriel and Santa Barbara comprising the new Angeles National Forest. On September 30, 1925, portions of Angeles and Cleveland National Forest were detached to re-establish San Bernardino National Forest.[2]
Ranger Districts
- Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers District
- Los Angeles River District
- San Gabriel River District
Statistics and general information
General
- Acres of land: 655,387 (2652 km²)
- Wilderness areas acres: 80,284 (324.9 km²)
- Miles of roads: 1,032 (1661 km)
- Visitor centers: 4
- Information centers: 4
- Fire lookout towers: 2
- Recreational residences: 505
- Picnic areas: 36
- Campgrounds: 66
- Ski areas: 2
- Entrance stations: 2
Trails
- Trailheads: 53
- Trail miles: 697 (1122 km)
- Off highway vehicle areas: 3
- Off highway vehicle route miles: 261 (420 km)
Natural features
- Wilderness areas: 3
- Lakes and reservoirs: 10
- Rivers and stream miles: 240
Sensitive species
- Sensitive plant: 22
- Sensitive wildlife: 23
- Threatened & endangered species: 16
Mountain peaks
Peaks within the Forest include:
- Mount San Antonio 3,067 m (10,064 ft) also known as Mt. Baldy
- Pine Mountain 2,940 m (9,648 ft)
- Dawson Peak 2,918 m (9,575 ft)
- South Mount Hawkins 2,372 m (7,783') Lookout destroyed in Curve Fire 2002
- Vetter Mountain 1,800 m (5,908 ft) Site of historic Vetter Mountain Fire lookout tower
- Mount Wilson 1,740 m (5,710 ft) also housing the Mount Wilson Observatory
- Mount Islip 2,514m (8,250 ft) Site of historic Mt. Islip fire lookout tower[1]
- Mount Baden-Powell
- Mount Burnham
- Cucamonga Peak
- Mount Disappointment (California)
- Echo Mountain
- Mount Harwood
- Iron Mountain (8007)
- Mount Lowe (California)
- San Gabriel Peak
- Telegraph Peak
- Verdugo Mountains
- Waterman Mountain
Water sports
- Pyramid Lake is located next to Interstate 5 (take Smokey Bear exit), 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia, CA.
- Castaic Lake is located 7 miles (11.3 km) north of Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia, CA just off Interstate 5 (take Lake Hughes exit.) The lake is managed by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation
- Elizabeth Lake is located approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Palmdale, CA on Elizabeth Lake Rd.
Volunteer organizations
Gallery
See also
References
External links
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