Angeles National Forest

Encyclopedia : A : AN : ANG : Angeles National Forest

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).

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 by executive order on December 20, 1892 as the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve. It covers over 2,600 square kilometers (650,000 acres) and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, just north of the metropolitan area of Los Angeles, 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.

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.

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

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 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.

A picture along the Icehouse Canyon Trail in the Angeles National Forest.

Volunteer Organizations

• Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association

External links

• [The ANF site from the USDA Forest Service]

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