San Gorgonio Mountain

San Gorgonio Mountain, also known locally as Mount San Gorgonio or Old Greyback, is the highest peak in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges, standing at 11,503 feet (3,506 m). It is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 27 miles east of the city of San Bernardino and 12 miles north-northeast of San Gorgonio Pass. The mountain lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness, part of the Sand to Snow National Monument managed by the San Bernardino National Forest.

Spanish missionaries named the peak after Saint Gorgonius during the early 17th century. Because it is the highest point in a region separated from higher peaks, such as those in the Sierra Nevada, by lower terrain, San Gorgonio Mountain is one of the most important peaks in the United States. It is ranked 7th among peaks in the 48 contiguous states and 18th overall.

The mountain has a pyramid shape, with a steep north face and a slightly shallower south face. Its summit plateau covers one square mile (2.6 km²). Unlike its neighbor, San Jacinto Peak, San Gorgonio does not appear very rugged from a distance and looks more like a tall hill, which is why it is called "greyback." However, it is the only mountain in Southern California that rises above the tree line. This means that in winter, its bright white snow cap can be seen from far away. The mountain also offers the longest recorded view in the United States, as it can be clearly seen from the summit of Mount Whitney, 190 miles away.

Geography

San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in Southern California and the Transverse Ranges, reaching up to 11,503 feet (3,506 m). It is part of the San Bernardino Mountains and lies within the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

The mountain is made of strong rock layers and has steep sides. Three major rivers begin at its base, and it has one of the few permanent lakes in Southern California. The weather there changes with height, from warm summers at lower areas to cooler, drier conditions near the top.

Hiking

San Gorgonio Mountain can be reached by hiking, and the climb is considered easy for experienced hikers. There are several trails that lead to the top, which is just a little above the tree line. Most of these trails are very challenging and involve climbing more than 4,000 feet (1,200 m).

One popular trail starts at the Fish Creek Trailhead and has about 3,400 feet (1,000 m) of climbing, which is a bit less than other trails. However, some parts of this trail do not have clear signs to guide hikers.

Aircraft wreckages

On December 1, 1952, a Douglas C-47 airplane crashed on the eastern side of the mountain. The plane was flying from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska to March Air Force Base near Riverside, California when it hit the mountain at night during a storm. Thirteen people were on the plane.

A little later, a Marine Corps helicopter tried to help find the people on the plane but also crashed. The three people on the helicopter were safe, but the pieces from both airplanes stayed on the mountain. You can see them if you hike the Fish Creek Trailhead or the South Fork Trailhead.

On January 6, 1977, a private plane flying from Palm Springs to Las Vegas also hit the mountain just after taking off. Everyone on the plane was hurt right away. The flight was a special trip for Natalie “Dolly” Sinatra and her friend, Anna Stack Carbone, to see a show and visit Las Vegas.

Pan looking west and southwest from Mt San Gorgonio.