Know Before You Go! Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Visitor Guide 2-11 See P. Forest , Monument Come With Colorful History in So Cal For detailed rec info The Angeles National For- were con- est has been around for more structed than [ a century, changing and throughout Welco me t o th e developing along with the the forest. Southern California culture. There A ng ele s & During its history, it has was the Mo n ume nt! attracted countless numbers of “Great Hik- campers, horseback riders, ing Era” The Angeles National For- adventurers, hunters and de- from the est and San Gabriel Mountains velopers. 1890s to National Monument are in one The Angeles began as the 1930s. of the most populated and cul- San Gabriel Timberland Re- turally diverse areas in the serve on Dec. 20, 1892 The nation. through an executive order completion The forest and monument signed by President Benjamin of Angeles Crest Highway in Harrison. It was the first na- the 1950s provided improved ident Obama on Oct. 10, 2014. are a scenic outdoor treasure, (See more information on page 2.) providing a postcard-like tional forest in California and access to recreational areas. the second in the nation. The forest has rebounded Today, the Angeles and backdrop for the Los Angeles Monument provide more basin. The reserve was later from floods, fires and mud- changed to the Angeles Na- slides. than 70 percent of the open To the millions of residents space in Los Angeles County, who live within an hour’s tional Forest in 1908. The San Gabriel Moun- Many changes have come tains, contained almost whol- though 90 percent of the for- drive and to visitors from all est land is steep and rugged. over the world, the Angeles throughout the decades. The ly within the forest, are some Mount Wilson observatory of the steepest and most rug- Despite being bordered by and Monument offer a thou- freeways, the Angeles and sand square miles of open was completed in 1908 and is ged mountains in the United a premiere research station States. They were designated Monument continue to main- space and a variety of recrea- tain their unique character. tion opportunities year round. today. Railroads and dams a national monument by Pres- In contrast to the nearby city, you’ll find yourself Did You Know…? Facts and Trivia transported to natural environ- ments of oak thickets, chapar- * When the Angeles National network of 270 designated miles * The Angeles and Monument ral, high desert landscapes, Forest began in 1908, the and two designated open areas. have about 463 recreational pine woods, rivers, lakes, and surrounding Los Angeles *The Angeles and Monument residences; 25 picnic areas; 36 streams. Enjoy spectacular County had a population of have furnished locations for campgrounds; five ski areas; 425,000 people, about 4.3 548 miles of trails; five wil- scenery, campgrounds and numerous TV shows and mov- picnic areas, swimming, fish- percent of today's county pop- ies. These include “The Fugi- derness areas and 10 lakes and ing, or quiet wilderness areas. ulation of 9.8 million. reservoirs. tive,” “Bonanza,” “Duel,” Discover trails winding *Today the Angeles and “Star Trek: First Contact” and * The Angeles and Monument through the forest for hikers, Monument are relatively “Mission Impossible 2.” are next to one of the largest equestrians, mountain bikers small in comparison to other media centers in the nation and off-highway enthusiasts. forests, with 700,176 acres. It *The Angeles and Monument and receive hundreds of media The Angeles and Monu- more than makes up for this have 18 dams and debris basins inquiries each year. ment are YOUR great out- by hosting 3.5 to 4 million that support the massive flood * Mount Wilson Observatory doors – to visit, to care for, visitors annually. control system protecting L.A. in the Angeles opened in 1908 and to… County residents. with a 60-inch telescope, then Enjoy! *The Angeles and Monument have an Off Highway Vehicle the largest in the world. Page 2 USDA Visitor Guide Caring for the land and serving people” About the New Monument The San Gabriel Mountains, which lie mostly within the Angeles National Forest, were de- clared by President Obama to be the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument on Oct. 10, 2014. Here are some key facts to enhance visitor understanding. See map on page 3. Page 3 USDA Visitor Guide “Caring for the land and serving people” San Gabriel Mountain National Monument Official Map USDA Page 4 Caring for the land and serving people” Visitor Guide OFFICE LIST Angeles National Forest, Angeles, Monument Offer San Gabriel Mountains Supervisor’s Office Superb Trails for Hiking 701 N. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia, CA 91006 (626) 574-5613 The Angeles and Monument offer 557 to experience this scenic trail. Note: Some Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. miles of hiking and equestrian trails with parts of the trail have been reroutes. Please Los Angeles River Ranger District many choices for hikers, from beginner to visit the Angeles website before you go. 12371 N. Little Tujunga Canyon Road experienced outdoor enthusiasts. San Fernando, CA 91342 All trails, except the Pacific Crest and Silver Moccasin National Recreation (818) 899-1900, ext. 221 Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. those in Wilderness areas, are open to moun- Trail – This 53-mile route snakes across tain bikes. Several excellent hiking guides the heart of the San Gabriel Mountains. Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers R.D. written for the Angeles National Forest in- Beginning at Chantry Flats near Sierra Ma- 33708 Crown Valley Road Acton, CA 93510 cluding John Robinson’s Trails of the Angeles dre, the trail follows numerous steep can- (661) 269-2808, ext. 221 can be found in local bookstores and at some yons and pine studded ridges then climbs Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. forest visitor centers. to lofty Mt. Baden Powell before making San Gabriel River Ranger District For those who desire the ultimate hiking its final descent to Vincent Gap on the An- 110 N. Wabash Ave trail experience, three trails on the forest have geles Crest Highway near Wrightwood. Glendora, CA 91741 (626) 335-1251, est. 221 national significance: Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Gabrielino National Recreation Trail – . The Pacific Crest Trail – This 2,650-mile This 28-mile adventure begins at the mouth Big Pines Information Center Highway 2/Big Pines Highway hiking and equestrian trail stretches from of Arroyo Seco Canyon, travels northeast Wrightwood, CA 92397 Mexico to Canada. About 176 miles of the to Redbox and curves down to Chantry (760) 249-3504 Pacific Crest Trail pass through the Angeles Flats north of Sierra Madre. The Gabrieli- CLOSED SEASONALLY and Monument with terrain varying from high no Trail is classified as moderate to strenu- Chileo Visitor Center desert to subalpine. Some hikers and a few ous with an elevation change of 4,800 feet. Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) equestrians travel the entire trail in one season La Canada, CA 91011 (626) 796-5541 but to experience this scenic trail. Note: Some For more information, please check the CLOSED SEASONALLY parts of the trail have been rerouted. Please Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Clear Creek Information Center visit the Angeles website before you go. Mountains National Monument website, Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) most visitors come from around the world under the “Recreation.” link. La Canada, CA 91011 (626) 821-6764 Weekends: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Grassy Hollow Visitor Center Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) Wrightwood, CA 92397 (626) 821-6737 Know the area. Learn about the Know the necessary skills Weekends and holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. area you plan to visit by using needed for your adventure guidebooks, maps, the internet, and be prepared to use them. Mount Baldy Visitor Center and by calling a Forest Service If you do not have the technical Mount Baldy Road office near the area. Get familiar skills you may need, go with Mount Baldy, CA 91759 (909) 982-2829 with your planned route! someone else who has the expe- Fri-Sun 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. rience. If you are going to an Know the weather conditions area where you need to use a The U.S. Department of Agriculture and forecast. Before leaving compass and read a detailed Forest Service prohibits discrimination in home, check the weather and map, make sure you know how! all its programs and activities on the basis plan your trip accordingly. If of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual weather conditions unexpectedly Know the regulations and orientation, and marital or family status worsen on your trip, turn back. rules for the area you are (not all prohibited bases apply to all pro- Visit: www.wrh.noaa.gov. visiting. Some areas require grams). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communica- you to have reservations or tion of program information (Braille, large Know what equipment, cloth- other permits. print, audiotape, etc.) should contact ing, and shoes to bring. Pack a USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720- hat, sturdy shoes, and extra 2600 (voice and TDD). Before you lace up your boots, To file a complaint of discrimination clothing you can layer for write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil jump into the car and head for the warmth. Bring a flashlight, For all Emergencies Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, forest, take a minute to gather im- pocket knife, first aid kit, sun- Call 911 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Wash- portant information and supplies.