San Gabriel Mountains
Range
Summits in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest, San Bernardino County, California. The main peaks are: Telegraph Peak 8985' (left), Cucamonga Peak 8859' (center), Ontario Peak 8693' (center right). As seen from Baldy Bowl on Mount Baldy.
Country	United States
State	California
Counties	Los Angeles, San Bernardino
Coordinates	34°17′20″N 117°38′48″W / 34.28889°N 117.64672°W / 34.28889; -117.64672
Highest point	Mount San Antonio
- elevation	10,068 ft (3,069 m)
Length	68.4 mi (110 km)
Width	22.5 mi (36 km)
Area	970 sq mi (2,512 km2)

The San Gabriel Mountains Range is located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California, United States.^[1] The mountain range lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert, with Interstate 5 to the west and Interstate 15 to the east. This Transverse Range lies in, and is surrounded by, the Angeles National Forest, with the San Andreas Fault as the northern border of the range. The highest peak in the range is Mount San Antonio, commonly referred to as Mt. Baldy. Mount Wilson is another famous peak, famed for the Mount Wilson Observatory and the antenna farm that houses many of the transmitters for local media. The observatory may be visited by the public.

Geography[link]

The highest elevation, Mount San Antonio at 10,064 ft., rises towards the eastern extremity of the range which extends from the Cajon Pass (Interstate 15 Freeway) on the east, where the San Gabriel Mountain Range meets the San Bernardino Mountain Range, westward to meet the Santa Monica and Santa Susanna ranges at approximately Tejon Pass (Interstate 5 Freeway).

The Range is bound on the north by the Antelope Valley and the Mojave Desert and to the south by the communities of greater Los Angeles area. In the western portion of the San Gabriel Mountain Range, the Sierra Pelona Ridge stretches from approximately Soledad Canyon (14 Freeway and railroad right-of-way), formed by the Santa Clara River. The Sierra Pelona Ridge includes Liebre Mountain, Sawmill Mountain, Grass Mountain, Redrock Peak, Burnt Peak, most of which is part of the Angeles National Forest, but also features several rural communities.

North of San Fernando, the San Gabriel Mountains crest abruptly up to almost 4,000 feet (1,200 m). Pacoima and Big Tujunga Canyons cut through the range just east of San Fernando, carrying runoff into the San Fernando Valley. Little Tujunga Canyon Road bridges the range in this area, connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Santa Clara River valley in the north. Towering over Big Tujunga Canyon north of Big Tujunga Reservoir is Mount Gleason, which at 6,502 feet (1,982 m), is the highest in this region of the San Gabriels. South of the gorge are the southern "foothills" of the mountains, which rise abruptly 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above the Los Angeles Basin and give rise to the Arroyo Seco, a tributary of the Los Angeles River.

Southeast of Big Tujunga Canyon, the southern front range of the San Gabriels gradually grows in elevation, culminating in notable peaks such as Mount Wilson at 5,710 feet (1,740 m). On the north the range is abruptly dissected by the canyon of the West Fork San Gabriel River. Even further north the range slopes up into the towering main crest of the San Gabriels, a sweeping arc-shaped massif 30 miles (48 km) in length that includes most of the highest peaks in the range: Waterman Mountain, at 8,038 feet (2,450 m); Mount Islip, at 8,250 feet (2,510 m), Mount Baden-Powell, at 9,399 feet (2,865 m), Pine Mountain, at 9,648 feet (2,941 m), and finally Mount San Antonio, the highest peak in the range at 10,068 feet (3,069 m).

East Fork San Gabriel River canyon, looking west

Melting snow and rain runoff on the south side of the San Gabriels' highest mountains give rise to its largest river, the San Gabriel River. Just to the west of Mount Hawkins, a north-south divide separates water running down the two main forks of the river and their tributaries. The West Fork, beginning at Red Box Saddle, runs 14 miles (23 km) eastward, and the East Fork, starting north of Mount San Antonio, flows 18 miles (29 km) south and west through a steep, rugged and precipitous gorge. The two meet at San Gabriel Reservoir, and turn south, boring through the southern portion of the San Gabriels, emptying out of the mountains near Azusa into the urban San Gabriel Valley, and eventually to the Pacific Ocean near Seal Beach.

On the north slopes of the San Gabriel crest, the northern ranks of mountains drop down incrementally to the floor of the Mojave Desert in a much more gradual manner than the sheer southern flank. The Angeles Crest Highway, one of the main routes across the San Gabriels, runs through this area from west to east. Little Rock, Big Rock and Sheep Creeks drain off the northern part of the mountains, forming large alluvial fans as they descend into the Mojave. To the east, the San Andreas Fault cuts across the range, forming a series of long, straight and narrow depressions, including Swarthout Valley and Lone Pine Canyon. South of Mount San Antonio, San Antonio Creek drains the mountains, cutting the deep San Antonio Canyon.

East of San Antonio Canyon, the range gradually loses elevation, and the highest peaks in this section of the mountain range are in the south, rising dramatically above the Inland Empire cities of Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga. However, there are still several notable peaks in this region, including Telegraph Peak, at 8,985 feet (2,739 m), Cucamonga Peak, at 8,859 feet (2,700 m), and Ontario Peak, rising 8,693 feet (2,650 m). Lytle Creek, flowing generally southwest, drains most of the extreme eastern San Gabriels. The range terminates at Cajon Pass, through which runs Interstate 15, and beyond which rise the even higher San Bernardino Mountains.

Ecology[link]

Numerous species of flora and fauna can be found within the San Gabriel Mountains, especially within the range of microclimate and elevation variation. There are both areas of conifer as well as broadleaf forestation, including the presence of some endemic taxa. For example, there is a subspecies of the Leather Oak which is found only within the San Gabriel Mountains.^[2] The Rift Zone along the San Andreas Fault produces numerous springs, sag ponds, and wetland areas that are critical habitat for a variety of native species.

Transportation[link]

Telegraph Peak as seen from the ridge of Devils Backbone on Mount San Antonio.

The main road that runs through the San Gabriel Mountains is the Angeles Crest Highway, State Route 2. It starts in the southwest at the city of La Cañada Flintridge and ends at its junction with State Route 138, just past Wrightwood, near the Victor Valley and the West Cajon Valley. Past its junction with Angeles Forest Highway, traveling east, Angeles Crest Highway features blind curves, various bumps, and potholes. This section of the "Crest" is closed during the winter due to rockfall and avalanche hazards. State Route 2, just past Mountain High, is called the Big Pines Highway all the way to the Route 138 junction.

Another key county route which connects Angelenos to, and through, the mountains is Angeles Forest Highway. Angeles Forest Highway begins 11 miles northeast of La Cañada Flintridge at its Angeles Crest Highway junction. Ending near Acton, it allows easy access to the central Forest and the fast growing Antelope Valley. Because the "Forest" and the 11 mile "Crest" portion leading to La Cañada Flintridge is well traveled by Antelope Valley commuters, its road maintenance is much better, and it is open much of the winter.

State Route 39 connected the city of Azusa with the Angeles Crest Highway until it was seriously damaged by landslides, first in 1978, and again in 2005. The highway was opened to emergency crews in February 2003. The proposed State Route 39 Roadway Rehabilitation Project would begin five miles (8 km) north of Crystal Lake Recreation Area Campground.^{[citation needed]}

According to the Caltrans District Seven "Inside Seven" Newsletter, work will continue through 2009 and 2010 on reconstruction. As written in the newsletter, "Two projects that will address those issues and get the highway reopened are scheduled for construction soon. The first, building two retaining walls near the city of Azusa from Old San Gabriel Canyon Road to approximately four miles south of SR-2, could begin in mid-2009. The second, a $45 million project to reconstruct the roadway, construct soldier pile retaining walls, repair drainage systems, install rock fall protection, and provide asphalt concrete overlay and traffic striping, should begin in fall 2010."(source)

People heading to Mount Waterman must now travel west to Pasadena and then travel on the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) in La Canada Flintridge - a nearly two-hour trip. Reopening Highway 39 would cut the drive-time to the Waterman Ski Area in half and shorten the trip east to Wrightwood. The segment connecting the Crystal Lake Recreation Area to Route 2 is not scheduled to reopen before 2015.

Recreation[link]

The San Gabriel Mountains from the south.

In the winter, snowboarding and snow skiing are quite popular in the San Gabriels, at Mountain High and Mt. Baldy. The two other resorts, Mount Waterman and Kratka Ridge, are rarely open. In the summer, "canyoneering", hiking, backpacking, picnicking and camping are some of the activities popular with visitors. From time to time, a hiker gets lost or stuck on a mountain ledge, or may fall downhill. Some of the more extreme cases of emergency search-and-rescue efforts will often be given air time on Los Angeles television and radio newscasts. The Pacific Crest Trail passes along the mountain ridge.

During the winter, many Southern California mountaineers climb a variety of snow routes and even some ice routes in the San Gabriel Mountains. Baldy Bowl is by far the most popular route, getting hundreds of climbers per season. There are many other routes, offering a variety of choices.

Rock climbing is not as common in the San Gabriel Range as it is in neighboring areas, as this range is famous for loose rock. Various faults crisscross the range, making it one of the steepest and fastest-growing ranges in the world. Plate tectonic activity breaks up most rock, making it unsuitable for rock climbing. Williamson Rock was the most famous climbing area, until it was closed for climbing. There are many other craggy areas scattered about the range that provide mostly traditional climbing opportunities.

Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association has rebuilt and operates Vetter Mountain Lookout, and Slide Mountain Lookout. The organization is rebuilding South Mount Hawkins Lookout.

Major peaks[link]

Mount San Antonio from Throop Peak.

View near Cajon Junction, California.

View of the San Gabriel Mountains from Cajon Pass

• Mount San Antonio, a.k.a. Mt. Baldy, 3,069 m (10,068 ft)
• Pine Mountain 2,940 m (9,648 ft)
• Dawson Peak 2,918 m (9,575 ft)
• Mount Harwood 2,911 m (9,552 ft)
• Mount Baden-Powell 2,865 m (9,399 ft)
• Mount Burnham 2,742 m (8,997 ft)
• Throop Peak 2,785m (9,138 ft)
• Telegraph Peak 2,739 m (8,985 ft)
• Cucamonga Peak 2,721 m (8,859 ft)
• Ontario Peak 2,650 m (8,693 ft)
• Mount Islip 2,515 m (8,250 ft)
• Iron Mountain 2,441m (8,007 ft)
• South Mount Hawkins 2,372 m (7,783 ft)
• Strawberry Peak 1,878 m (6,164 ft)
• San Gabriel Peak 1,877 m (6,161 ft)
• Vetter Mountain 1,800 m (5,908 ft) (site of active fire lookout tower)
• Mount Wilson 1,740 m (5,710 ft) (site of Mount Wilson Observatory)
• Mount Disappointment 1,817 m (5,960 ft)
• Mount Lowe 1,707 m (5,603 ft) (site of Mount Lowe Railway)
• Mount Lukens 1,544 m (5,066 ft)
• Echo Mountain 977 m (3,207 ft)

Nearby ranges[link]

• San Rafael Hills
• Santa Ana Mountains
• Verdugo Mountains
• San Bernardino Mountains
• Santa Susana Mountains
• Santa Monica Mountains
• Sierra Pelona Mountains
• Tehachapi Mountains

Panorama of the range, from Ontario Peak looking west and north, Mount Baldy in the center.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: San Gabriel Mountains

• Outdoor LA Hiking Trails – Hiking trails in the area with maps and directions to the trailheads.
• Geographic, Biological, and Geological information
• San Gabriel Mountains around Wrightwood, CA

San Gabriel, spanish for Saint Gabriel, may mean:

Ecuador

• San Gabriel, Ecuador

Guatemala

• San Gabriel, Suchitepéquez

Mexico

• San Gabriel, Durango
• San Gabriel, Guanajuato
• San Gabriel, Jalisco
• San Gabriel Chilac, Puebla
• San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca

Philippines

• San Gabriel, La Union

United States

• San Gabriel, California
• The San Gabriel River (California), site of the 1847 Battle of Rio San Gabriel in the Mexican-American War
• The San Gabriel River (Texas), site of the 1839 Battle of the San Gabriels in the Texas-Indian Wars
• The San Gabriel Valley in California
• The San Gabriel Mountains in California

See also[link]

• Saint Gabriel (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles about distinct geographical locations with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2011)

This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (June 2011)

Claire Robinson

Born	Claire Robinson c.1978 Jacksonville, FL, United States[1]
Cooking style	Southern and French Food
Education	The French Culinary Institute University of Memphis
Television show(s) "5 Ingredient Fix"[1] Food Network Challenge
Official website
claire-robinson.com

Claire Robinson is a personal chef and television host of her Food Network television show 5 Ingredient Fix. On April 4, 2010 she debuted as the new host of Food Network Challenge replacing Keegan Gerhard who hosted the program from 2005 to 2010.

Personal life[link]

Robinson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. As a child her family moved frequently from Jacksonville to St. Augustine, Houston and New Orleans but eventually settled in Memphis, Tennessee. Robinson attended The University of Memphis and graduated in 1999 with a degree in communications.^[1] Robinson eventually decided that her passion was cooking; this decision originated in her part-time job at Maggie's Pharm, a small organic and natural food-derived perfume, body lotion and herbal oil store, located in Memphis.^[1]

In 2004, she moved to New York City and attended The French Culinary Institute; she graduated in November 2005. Along with being a private chef, she spent time working on culinary production teams for several cooking series, including Food Network’s Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello and PBS' Everyday Baking for Everyday Food.

Aside from cooking, Robinson enjoys a variety of sports including skydiving, boxing and slalom waterskiing. She currently lives in New York City.^[1]She also had a small role in the 1997 film The Rainmaker.

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Morago, Greg (2009-06-23). "5 ingredients, full flavor". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/food/side/6493673.html. Retrieved 2009-09-13. </ref>
• Claire on the Food Network

External links[link]

• Official website