San Gorgonio Mountain

San Gorgonio Mountain, also known as Mount San Gorgonio or Old Greyback, is the tallest mountain in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges. It stands at 11,503 feet (3,506 m) tall. The mountain is part of the San Bernardino Mountains, about 27 miles east of San Bernardino and 12 miles north-northeast of San Gorgonio Pass. It lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness, which is part of the Sand to Snow National Monument and managed by the San Bernardino National Forest.

Spanish missionaries named the mountain after Saint Gorgonius in the early 1700s. Because it is the tallest mountain in its area, San Gorgonio Mountain is very important. It is the 7th tallest mountain in the 48 contiguous states and the 18th tallest in the United States.

The mountain has a pyramid shape, with a steep north face and a slightly easier south face. Its flat top covers one square mile (2.6 km²). Unlike its neighbor, San Jacinto Peak, San Gorgonio looks more like a tall hill from far away, which is why it is called "greyback." However, it is the only mountain in Southern California that rises above the tree line. This means that in winter, its white snow can be seen from far away. The mountain also offers the longest view in the United States, as it can be clearly seen from the top of Mount Whitney, 190 miles away.

Geography

San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges. It reaches up to 11,503 feet (3,506 m). The mountain is part of the San Bernardino Mountains and lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

The mountain is made of strong rock layers and has steep sides. Three major rivers begin at its base, and it has one of the few permanent lakes in Southern California. The weather there changes with height, from warm summers at lower areas to cooler, drier conditions near the top.

Hiking

San Gorgonio Mountain can be reached by hiking. The climb is easy for experienced hikers. There are several trails to the top, which is just above the tree line. Most trails are challenging and involve climbing more than 4,000 feet (1,200 m).

One popular trail starts at the Fish Creek Trailhead. It has about 3,400 feet (1,000 m) of climbing, which is a bit less than other trails. However, some parts of this trail do not have clear signs.

Aircraft wreckages

On December 1, 1952, a Douglas C-47 airplane crashed on the eastern side of the mountain. The plane was flying from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska to March Air Force Base near Riverside, California when it hit the mountain at night during a storm.

A little later, a Marine Corps helicopter tried to help but also crashed. You can see pieces from both airplanes if you hike the Fish Creek Trailhead or the South Fork Trailhead.

On January 6, 1977, a private plane flying from Palm Springs to Las Vegas also hit the mountain just after taking off. The flight was a special trip for Natalie “Dolly” Sinatra and her friend, Anna Stack Carbone, to see a show and visit Las Vegas.

Pan looking west and southwest from Mt San Gorgonio.