San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
September 2005
The wilderness includes nine peaks over 10,000 feet (including the tallest peak south of the
Sierra Nevada Range, San Gorgonio Mountain at 11,499 feet) and two lakes, Dollar and Dry.
Examples of the arctic-alpine forest life zones and glacier-deposited moraines are evident in this
area.
Two research natural areas are located within the San Gorgonio Wilderness: Horse Meadows for
white-fir and Millard Canyon for interior live oak. The headwaters for the Santa Ana and
Whitewater Rivers are located in this wilderness, along with habitat for a herd of Nelson's
bighorn sheep. Day-use and overnight camping permits are required. There are 24 campsites
within the wilderness. The San Gorgonio Wilderness is co-managed with the Bureau of Land
Management.
San Jacinto Wilderness Places: Idyllwild, Santa Rosa
and San Jacinto Mountains
National Monument, Garner
Valley
32,096 Acres
The San Jacinto Wilderness is located in the east flanks of the San Jacinto Mountain Range, and
is reached via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Humber Park Road, which lead directly to
the wilderness boundary. The Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness State Park manages most of the higher
peaks along the ridge within the range, effectively dividing this wilderness into two distinct areas
of very different character.
The northern potion of the wilderness, along with the Andreas and Murray desert canyons of the
southern portion, include some of the steepest, most rugged terrain in the nation. The northern
escarpment plunges dramatically in sheer cliffs and ridges to Banning Pass, nearly two miles
below. Snow Creek and its tributaries have carved deep canyons into the escarpment face,
affording excellent cross-country hiking and climbing opportunities. The area offers spectacular
views of the surrounding desert valleys and mountain ranges.
The southern portion of the wilderness provides contrasting opportunities. This area contains a
well-watered plateau area that harbors a number of stream-fed mountain meadows and a portion
of the San Jacinto ridgetop known as the Desert Divide. To the east of the Desert Divide lie
several deeply eroded, rugged desert canyons. The relatively flat terrain contains a number of
very popular camping areas adjacent to streams and meadows and an extensive 26-mile trail
network. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the Desert Divide through the
wilderness. Permits are required for day-use and overnight camping.
Santa Rosa Wilderness Places: Santa Rosa and San
Jacinto Mountains National
Monument
19,419 Acres
The Santa Rosa Wilderness was created in 1984 as part of the California Wilderness Act. In
1994, the wilderness was quadrupled by the addition of 64,340 acres of adjacent Bureau of Land
Management lands in the California Desert Protection Act. It is located in the southeastern
portion of the San Jacinto Ranger District, and can be accessed from Forest Road 7S01.
Elevations rise from the desert floor (sea level) to 8,000 feet at Toro Peak. The wilderness is
comprised primarily of the Santa Rosa Mountains, which are rugged, boulder-strewn mountains
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