San Bernardino National Forest

Geography

The forest is divided into two large areas or tracts on United States Geological Survey maps, a northern and southern portion.

The west border of the forest adjoins Angeles National Forest and runs north-south about ten miles west of Interstate 15. At its widest parts, the northern portion of the forest runs about 57 mi on an east–west dimension. It runs about 24 mi on a north–south dimension. This portion of the forest encompasses the San Bernardino Mountains. The area extends west of Mount San Antonio and Wrightwood in San Bernardino County. The eastern portion of the forest extends about ten miles east of Big Bear City and includes the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The southernmost portion is bisected by the Riverside County line and borders the Morongo Indian Reservation north of Cabazon.

At its widest point, the southern portion is about 27 mi on a north-south dimension and about 30 mi on an east-west dimension. Toro Peak and the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation are near the south extent. At the north is Snow Creek Village and the Morongo Indian Reservation. Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness is carved out of the southern portion. The community of Idyllwild is surrounded by national forest lands.

While most National Forests include lumber resources, these two areas also include:

• Residential communities and resorts
• Indian resources such as historically important caves and pictographs
• The University of California-owned James Reserve research station

The two tallest waterfalls in Southern California, Big Falls and Bonita Falls, are located in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Lost Lake, a sag pond created by tectonic activity associated with the San Andreas Fault as it runs through the Cajon Pass area, is located in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Wilderness areas

There are seven official wilderness areas lying within San Bernardino National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. One extends into neighboring Angeles National Forest and three into land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (as indicated).

• Bighorn Mountain Wilderness (mostly BLM)
• Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness
• Cucamonga Wilderness (partly in Angeles NF)
• San Gorgonio Wilderness (partly BLM)
• San Jacinto Wilderness
• Santa Rosa Wilderness (mostly BLM)
• South Fork San Jacinto Wilderness

Firefighting

The San Bernardino National Forest has its own fire stations and engine companies.

Aerial operations

As of 2001, eight Air Tactical Group Supervisors (ATGSs) work out of the Forest Supervisor's Office in San Bernardino.

Vegetation

There are many different species of trees, many coniferous, that grow in the mountains. Pines, such as ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, Coulter pine, lodgepole pine, single-leaf pinyon, and knobcone pine all thrive here. Other coniferous trees, such as white fir, bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa), incense cedar, and western juniper also thrive here. Canyon live oak, California black oak, and Pacific dogwood are other trees that also grow here. The forest contains an estimated 87400 acre of old growth. The most common types are Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests, white fir (Abies concolor) forests, Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) forests, and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests.{{Citation

Climbing

Rock climbing is popular in some areas of the San Bernardino National Forest, most notably at Tahquitz Rock near Idyllwild.

In popular culture

In the 2013 videogame Grand Theft Auto V, the Paleto Forest is based on the San Bernardino National Forest.

Bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow, whose nest is live-streamed by Friends of Big Bear Valley, is located in San Bernardino National Forest.

References

Yellow Post Camp Site Info Dated Feb 2014 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow_camp_site_info_big_bear.pdf

References

1. "Land Areas of the National Forest System". U.S. Forest Service.
2. "About the Forest".
3. "San Bernardino National Forest | Recreation | Forest Service".
4. Anthony, Craig E., Unit Chief, Riverside Unit Fire Management Plan 2005, ([[Perris, California]]: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside Unit, 2005.)
5. "Topo Map Explorer".
6. "Lost Lake".
7. "San Bernardino National Forest {{!}} Lost Lake Day Use Area {{!}} Forest Service".
8. "Esperanza Fire, Accident Investigation and Factual Report". California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
9. "Esperanza fire fatality investigation". Office Of Inspector General-Investigations, USDA.
10. Region 5 Air Tactical and Forest Aviation Management Program: Strategic Plan, Fiscal Year 2002, (San Francisco: USDA, US Forest Service Region 5, 2001).
11. Perez, Eliana. (September 29, 2022). "One of two climbers found dead near Idyllwild was former Dallas Cowboys player Gavin Escobar".
12. (May 19, 2024). "GTA 5 Locations That Are Based On Real-Life". Game Rant.
13. Cruz, Rene Ray De La. (March 6, 2025). "Fans in frenzy as Jackie and Shadow's third eagle egg begins to hatch in Big Bear nest". Victorville Daily Press.