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San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio, or Old Greyback, is the highest peak in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges at 11,503 feet (3,506 m). It is in the San Bernardino Mountains , 27 miles (43 km) east of the city of San Bernardino and 12 miles (19 km) north-northeast of San Gorgonio Pass .
The pass is one of the deepest mountain passes in the 48 contiguous states, with the mountains to either side rising almost 9,000 ft (2,700 m) above it. San Gorgonio Mountain, taller but farther away and less visible, is at the northern side of the pass, and Mount San Jacinto is on the southern side.
The wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. These mountains include Mount San Gorgonio and several other peaks over 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Elevations range from 2,300 to 11,502 feet (701 to 3,506 m).
The Visitor Center is at an altitude of 2,223 feet. The Whitewater River flows year-round from San Gorgonio Mountain down a canyon into the desert, eventually reaching the Salton Sea. The preserve is located in an ecotone where the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert overlap. Despite being in a desert, there is a rich riparian habitat due to the ...
The trail continues up the canyon, eventually intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail. North of the junction on the PCT is San Gorgonio Overlook, which provides a view of Whitewater Canyon and San Gorgonio Mountain. Heading south on the PCT reaches the Whitewater Preserve. Guided nature walks are offered.
With a peak elevation of 9,952 feet (3,033 m), [1] it is the highest peak in the San Bernardino Mountains outside the San Gorgonio Wilderness. [2] Wilderness permits are not required to hike the peak, but a Forest Service pass is required to park on any fire road. Sugarloaf Mountain is clearly visible in most parts of Big Bear Valley.
Jepson Peak is a summit, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) west of San Gorgonio Mountain, in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.It is the second highest summit in Southern California, [4] but most authors would not rank this peak because it has less than 300 feet (91 m) of prominence and does not qualify as an independent peak.
Over 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) of the national monument are within the San Gorgonio Wilderness area, which was designated by Congress in 1964. [2] [3] An eastern border in the Little San Bernardino Mountains abuts Joshua Tree National Park. A separate section expands the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness area to the northeast.