Angeles National Forest

The Angeles National Forest (ANF) is a beautiful area managed by the United States Forest Service. It is found in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, mostly in Los Angeles County in Southern California. This forest takes care of most of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

It became a national forest in 1908. It included the first San Bernardino National Forest and some parts of the old Santa Barbara and San Gabriel National Forests. The main office for the Angeles National Forest is in Arcadia, California.

Geography

The Angeles National Forest covers 700,176 acres, protecting parts of the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains. It sits just north of the busy Greater Los Angeles area. Most of it is in Los Angeles County, but small parts reach into San Bernardino County near Mount San Antonio ("Mount Baldy") and Ventura County near Lake Piru.

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, started in 2014, is mostly inside this forest. It is cared for by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Angeles National Forest includes five special wild areas. Two of these also stretch into nearby San Bernardino National Forest:

• Cucamonga Wilderness
• Magic Mountain Wilderness
• Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness
• San Gabriel Wilderness
• Sheep Mountain Wilderness

History

The Angeles National Forest has a long history. People lived in the area thousands of years ago, using tools and hunting animals for food. Over time, more people arrived, and they built villages and traded with others.

In 1769, explorers from Europe first traveled through the area. Later, Spanish missions were built, which changed the lives of the local people. In the 1800s, people began cutting trees for building and discovered gold, bringing many miners to the mountains. Roads and railroads were built, and people started using the area for fun activities like hiking and camping.

In 1892, the government set aside part of the land as a forest reserve to protect water supplies and prevent floods. It became the Angeles National Forest in 1908. Over the years, parts of the forest were separated and renamed, but the Angeles National Forest remains an important place for nature and history.

Wildfires

Loop Fire (1966)

Main article: Loop Fire

On November 1, 1966, a fire started in the Angeles National Forest. The fire spread quickly and was very dangerous. Sadly, 12 firefighters were lost, and many others were hurt. The fire was stopped after burning over 2,000 acres.

Station Fire (2009)

Main article: Station Fire (2009)

In 2009, a fire began near La Cañada and burned more than 161,000 acres of the forest. It was one of the worst fires in Los Angeles County history, destroying homes and affecting wildlife. The fire threatened important science equipment on Mount Wilson but mostly spared it.

Bobcat Fire (2020)

Main article: Bobcat Fire

In 2020, the Bobcat Fire burned over 115,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest. It was one of the largest wildfires in Los Angeles County history.

Bridge Fire (2024)

Main article: Bridge Fire

In September 2024, the Bridge Fire started near East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads. It burned over 56,000 acres and destroyed many buildings. The fire forced people to leave their homes in Mount Baldy Village and Wrightwood. The forest closed parts of the burned area until the end of 2024.

Natural history

Further information: California montane chaparral and woodlands, Mediterranean California Lower Montane Black Oak-Conifer Forest, and California mixed evergreen forest

The Angeles National Forest helps protect plants, animals, and water in the San Gabriel Mountains. Its rivers supply important water for Southern California. The forest’s plants and soil help control rainwater, reducing the risk of big floods and landslides nearby. The land varies greatly, with heights ranging from 1,200 feet to over 10,000 feet. The famous Pacific Crest Trail passes through this area.

The forest has many types of plants, including thick chaparral shrubs and oak woodlands. At higher elevations, you’ll find pine and fir trees. After fires, some plants grow quickly, covering the land with purple flowers, though touching them can cause a rash similar to poison oak.

The Angeles National Forest is home to many animals, such as black bears, gray foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, mule deer, bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes, and coyotes.

Access

To visit many places in the Angeles National Forest and other national forests in Southern California, you need a special parking pass called a National Forest Adventure Pass. You can buy this pass online or at visitor centers and local shops. However, in Los Angeles County, you do not need the pass if you are on roads kept up by the county. There are also many other spots where the pass is not needed.

General information

The Angeles National Forest is a big area of land for people to enjoy in Southern California. It covers 700,176 acres and has many places to explore, like 66 campgrounds, 36 picnic areas, and 2 ski areas. There are also 697 miles of trails to hike and many beautiful mountains to see.

Some of the tallest mountains in the forest include Mount San Antonio, also called Mt. Baldy, and Mount Baden-Powell. There are also several lakes, such as Pyramid Lake and Castaic Lake, where people can enjoy water activities. The forest is home to many different plants and animals, some of which need special care to stay safe.

• Acres of land: 700,176 (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

Ranger Districts

• Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District
  • Station: San Fernando, California
• San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
  • Station: Glendora, California

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: 5
• Lakes and reservoirs: 10
• Rivers and stream miles: 240

Sensitive species

• Sensitive plants: 22
• Sensitive wildlife: 23
• Threatened & endangered species: 16

Mountain peaks

Mountains within the Angeles National Forest include:

• Mount San Antonio 10,064 ft (3,068 m) — also known as "Mt. Baldy"
• Pine Mountain 9,648 ft (2,941 m)
• Dawson Peak 9,575 ft (2,918 m)
• Mount Harwood 9,556 ft (2,913 m)
• Mount Baden-Powell 9,407 ft (2,867 m)
• Throop Peak 9,142 ft (2,786 m)
• Mount Burnham 9,001 ft (2,744 m)
• Telegraph Peak (California) 8,989 ft (2,740 m)
• Mount Islip 8,250 ft (2,510 m) — site of historic Mt. Islip fire lookout tower
• Waterman Mountain 8,041 ft (2,451 m)
• Iron Mountain (Los Angeles County) 8,010 ft (2,440 m)
• South Mount Hawkins 7,783 ft (2,372 m) Lookout destroyed in Curve Fire 2002
• Pacifico Mountain 7,124 ft (2,171 meters)
• Mount Gleason 6,502 ft (1,982 meters)
• San Gabriel Peak 6,164 ft (1,879 m)
• Mount Disappointment (California) 5,963 ft (1,818 m)
• Vetter Mountain 5,911 ft (1,802 m) — site of historic Vetter Mountain fire lookout tower
• Burnt Peak 5,791 ft (1,765 m)
• Liebre Mountain 5,788 ft (1,764 m)
• Mount Wilson 5,710 ft (1,740 m) — location of the Mount Wilson Observatory
• Iron Mountain 5,636 ft (1,718 m)
• Mount Lowe (California) 5,606 ft (1,709 m)
• Josephine Peak 5,558 ft (1,694 m)
• Sawmill Mountain 5,515 ft (1,681 m)
• Condor Peak 5,459 ft (1,664 m)
• Sawtooth Mountain 5,200 ft (1,600 m)
• Mount Lukens 5,074 ft (1,547 m)
• Mount McKinley 4,925 ft (1,501 m)
• Magic Mountain (California) 4,864 ft (1,483 m)
• Mendenhall Peak 4,649 ft (1,417 m)
• Grass Mountain 4,606 ft (1,404 m)
• Redrock Mountain 4,488 ft (1,368 m)
• Warm Springs Mountain 4,019 ft (1,225 m)
• Kagel Mountain 3,537 ft (1,078 m)
• Echo Mountain 3,210 ft (980 m)
• Pacifico Mountain 7,124 ft (2,171 m)
• Bare Mountain 6,388 ft (1,947 m)
• Mount Hillyer 6,200 ft (1,890 m)
• Winston Peak 7,502 ft (2,287 m)
• Pallett Mountain 7,779 ft (2,371 m)
• Hoyt Mountain 4,416 ft (1,346 m)

All the above mountains are part of the San Gabriel Mountains, except for Burnt Peak, Liebre Mountain, Sawmill Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain, Grass Mountain, Redrock Mountain and Warm Springs Mountain, which are all in the Sierra Pelona Mountains.

Water recreation

• Pyramid Lake is located next to Interstate 5 (take Smokey Bear exit), 20 miles (32 km) north of Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia, California.
• Castaic Lake is located 7 miles (11 km) north of Magic Mountain Amusement Park in Valencia, California, 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, California, on Elizabeth Lake Rd. It can completely dry up in drought years.
• Crystal Lake is a small natural lake located near the northern end of Highway 39.
• Jackson Lake is another natural lake located on the San Andreas Fault about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the Big Pines Visitor Center and roughly 7 miles (11 km) west of the community of Wrightwood, California.

Volunteer organizations

Many groups help take care of the Angeles National Forest. They work on projects like fixing trails, saving lives in the mountains, and keeping the rivers clean. Some groups also teach people about safety and nature.

These groups include the Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association, Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders, West Fork Conservancy, and Angeles Volunteer Association. There are also groups like the Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps and the Volunteers of the Angeles National Forest (VANF) who help with many different projects to keep the forest beautiful and safe for everyone.

California Historical Landmark

The California Historical Landmark Marker NO. 717 is located at San Gabriel Mountain, near Clear Creek vista point on State Hwy 2, about 8.3 miles north of I-210 in La Canada. It tells the story of the Angeles National Forest, which was the first national forest in California and the second in the United States. President Benjamin Harrison created it by proclamation on December 20, 1892. Over time, its name changed from "San Gabriel Timberland Reserve" to "San Gabriel National Forest" on March 4, 1907, and finally to "Angeles National Forest" on July 1, 1908.