Wilderness
"We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."
-Wallace Stegner
The Wilderness Act of 1964 established a National Wilderness Preservation System intended to preserve the unique wild and scenic areas of America's public lands. The Act defined "Wilderness" as - "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."
"Wild" areas can be found within an hour's drive of downtown L.A. These are areas set aside by Congress to remain untouched - where people can experience the solitude of some of the nation's most beautiful country.
Wilderness Areas in the Angeles National Forest
Congress designated the Cucamonga Wilderness in 1964. About 1/3 of the 12,781 acres lie on the Angeles National Forest - San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, while the remaining acres are administered by the San Bernardino National Forest.
There is an increasing pressure on the land from large groups visiting and requesting to visit the wilderness. These groups tend to be larger than the average group size and combined with already high visitor use can have a negative impact on the land and visitor experience. Group size is limited to 25 people, and a permit is required to visit the Cucamonga Wilderness,
There are three dispersed campsites within the wilderness (two on the San Bernardino National Forest and one on the Angeles National Forest).
Vegetation
This wilderness consists of a sub-alpine setting, which is primarily composed of mixed conifers ranging in age class such as Ponderosa, Jeffrey, and Douglas-fir pines.
Wildlife
Numerous wildlife species do well in the area, including deer, bear, mountain lions, and Nelson bighorn sheep.
Trails
Trails going through this wilderness are the 3 T’s (7W06/06A), Icehouse Canyon (7W07A), and Ontario Peak Trail (7W08).
Congress designated the Magic Mountain Wilderness in 2009 with 12,282 acres. This area has excellent opportunities for hiking and solitude.
Vegetation
Chaparral (chamise, manzanita, scrub oak, ceanothus) covered hillsides in steep, vertical-walled, narrow canyons with perennial streams yield to scattered stands of mixed pines and hardwoods (oaks, willows, alder, sycamores). Several Federally-listed sensitive plants like Nevin’s barberry, Braunton’s milk-vetch, and the lemon lily live in this area.
Wildlife
The California condor, a Federally-endangered species, inhabits this wilderness. The least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, arroyo toad, mountain yellow-legged frog, unarmored threespine stickleback, Santa Ana sucker, and the two-striped garter snake inhabit this area.
Trails
There are no official designated trails that fall within this wilderness. Hiking is cross-country without a trail to guide you.
Description and Use
Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness, designated in 2009, has 26,757 acres. This wilderness area is located roughly 30 miles northeast of La Canada, north of the Angeles Crest Highway where the San Gabriel Mountains slope north to meet the Mojave Desert. This area is known for its majestic peaks and spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains and desert basin.
Trails
Burkhart (10W02 High Desert National Recreation Trail), Islip Saddle (9W02), and the Pacific Crest Trail travel through this wilderness.
Over 36,000 acres within the Angeles National Forest is designated as the San Gabriel Wilderness and has been set aside to preserve wilderness character. The area encompasses some extremely rugged terrain, ranging in elevation from 1,600 to 8,200 feet. The lower elevations are covered with dense chaparral which rapidly changes to pine and fir-covered slopes and majestic peaks with glimpses of wildflowers and a variety of wildlife as you enter the upper elevations.
For a detailed description of the San Gabriel Wilderness with associated maps, please follow this link to wilderness.net.
- Wilderness permits are not required for the San Gabriel Wilderness Area. You can enter the San Gabriel Wilderness on the following trails:
- Bear Creek Trail - An 11-mile trail, with trailheads near Rincon and Coldbrook ranger stations, both on Highway 39.
- Mt. Waterman Trail - A 10-mile trail, from Three Points to Buckhorn, with a 1-mile side trail to Twin Peaks Saddle.
- Devil's Canyon Trail - A 4-mile trail down into rugged Devil's Canyon.
If you have questions about the San Gabriel Wilderness, please contact any of the following USDA Forest Service offices. Information concerning the 44,000-acre Sheep Mountain Wilderness, which is also within the Angeles National Forest - San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, may be obtained from these offices also.
- Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District (Office Information)
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (Office Information)
- Chilao Visitor Center (Office Information)
In 1984, the 44,000-acre Sheep Mountain Wilderness was set aside as one of the Nation's truly unique wild areas. With elevations ranging from 2,400 ft. to over 10,000 ft., this area offers something for everyone. Whether you're a novice hiker, an experienced backpacker, a fisherman, or just interested in the "great outdoors," this rugged terrain provides a variety of opportunities for all.
Special Provisions:
There are several private land holdings within the Sheep Mountain Wilderness that frequently conduct what may seem to be non-conforming activities. Special provisions permit reasonable access to these private areas and development of their mining operations. Please respect the rights of these owners/operators during your visit.
Permits:
A wilderness permit is required for entry into the Sheep Mountain Wilderness from the East Fork Trailhead only. This area has traditionally received heavy water-related recreational use. The permit system allows the USDA Forest Service to make decisions to ensure better protection of the wilderness resources in this area.
When entering from the East Fork Trailhead please observe the following permit rules:
- Obtain a wilderness permit in person or by mail.
- Permits are free and available at the following locations:
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (Office Information)
- Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District (Office Information)
- San Gabriel Canyon Gateway Visitor Center (Office Information)
- Self-service wilderness permit issuance is available at the East Fork Trailhead. Permits requested by mail must be received two weeks prior to the date of entry.
- Keep your party size small to minimize impacts.
"We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."
--Wallace Stegner
Preserving wilderness quality in the face of increasing recreational use is one of the major challenges faced by USDA Forest Service managers. You can help by observing these Leave No Trace camping practices and leaving the area as undisturbed as possible.
- Locate camps at least 200 feet from other camps and 100 feet from trails, springs. or streams. Pick a place where you won't have to clear vegetation or level a tent site.
- Construction of rock walls, a lean-to, fire rings, shelters, tables and other improvements alter and detract from the natural character of the land and are prohibited.
- Please carry out all unburnable trash--and only burn when fire restrictions allow. Cans, bottles, aluminum foil, and plastics do not burn and are not biodegradable--they must be packed out. Do not bury trash. Leave a clean camp.
- Keep all soaps and detergents out of streams. Wash dishes, etc., in a pot and dispose of water at least 100 feet from stream.
- All mechanized and motorized equipment such as cell phones, radios, suction dredges, generators, mountain bikes and motorized vehicles are not permitted within wilderness areas.
- Bury human waste in a shallow hole (5-6 inches deep) at least 100 feet from any water supply, camp or trail. Fill hole with soil when done.
- Smoking while traveling is hazardous. Locate a safe spot, and be sure that all matches, ashes, and burning tobacco are completely out.
- Short-cutting switchbacks and walking out of established trails hastens destructive erosion and deteriorates existing trails. Whether hiking or horseback-riding, staying on the trail is safer and easier and saves trail maintenance costs.
- Do not litter the trail. Take all gum, candy wrappers, cigarette butts, etc. with you.
- Avoid loud noises. They are disruptive to others.
- Yield the right-of-way to pack and saddle stock. Stand quietly, well off the trail until the stock has passed.
- A California fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older who plans to fish. California fishing regulations apply in wilderness areas.
Remember that you are a temporary visitor in the wilderness. You can help preserve the character of the area by following these simple rules. To learn more about Outdoor Ethics, visit www.lnt.org.