Wild places > Southwest: Regional Map

San Gorgonio Potential Wilderness Additions

Managing agency: San Bernardino National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs Field Office

Size: Approximately 39,546 acres

Location: San Bernardino County, near Oak Glen.

Description:

• Varied landforms; low rolling desert foothills to steep rugged mountains and canyons
• Varied vegetation; Mohave yuccas, Joshua Tree forests, creosote, pinyon-juniper, yellow pine forests
• Key watershed feeding the Wild and Scenic Rivers: Santa Ana and Whitewater
• Key habitat for Nelson bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, southern spotted owl, migrating birds

With the addition of the desert and alpine units, the San Gorgonio Wilderness will then contain every ecosystem from the Colorado Desert to the alpine zone. Hunters flock to the area for its abundant game. Hikers enjoy the solitude that they can find on its many miles of trails and at its many campsites. Vistas of the San Bernardino Valley are outstanding from all the peaks. This is some of the best habitat in southern California for Nelson bighorn sheep, black bear, mule deer, and southern spotted owl.

This addition contains the eastern slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains. Landforms range from low, rolling foothills to steep rugged mountains. Vegetation ranges from Mojave yucca, Joshua tree, creosote, and mixed shrubs, through pinyon-juniper and on up in to yellow pine forest. Several deep canyons cut into the eastern flank of the mountains, each containing water in the form of springs and small creeks. The sites of the springs are easily recognized by their stands of cottonwood trees.

Access:

• From Hwy 38 east of Big Bear to Pipes Cyn Road
• From Hwy 247, north of Yucca Valley to Pipes Cyn Road

For additional information, please contact:
Joyce Burk
San Gorgonio Chapter - Sierra Club
P.O. Box 106
Barstow, CA 92312-0106
Phone: (760) 256-9561
Email: joyceburk@earthlink.net

Or:
Tim Allyn
Sierra Club
3435 Wilshire Blvd. #302
Los Angeles, CA 90010-1901
Phone: (213) 387-6528 x202
Email: tim.allyn@sierraclub.org