Big Pines Lodge
The 1929 tower on the left in the photo above marks the highest spot at 6862 ft. on the San Andreas fault. There was also a tower on the other side of the road that was removed when Highway 2 was widened.
Big Pines Lodge
Big Pines County Park / Los Angeles County
In 1923 L.A. County bought land in the Big Pines area.
In 1924 the U.S. Forest Service leased 5000 acres of Big Pines land to L.A. County.
By 1930 an additional 3500 were annexed to L.A. County including the Jackson Lake area.
A number of youth camps were developed on Big Pines land at the time.
In 1940 L.A. County transferred the land to the U.S. Forest Service.
Big Pines Lodge
The Lodge buildings have recently been restored by the U.S. Forest Service.
Starting in the late 1920s the Big Pines Lodge served
as headquarters for L.A. County's Big Pines County Park. The U.S. Forest
Service recently drafted a study of Big Pines history, but Los Angeles
County had few historical records available. Big Pines camp sites and Special
Use Permit youth camps were set-up from about 1928 to 1935 and enabled
a number of summer camps to be established that have changed hands throughout
the years.
Big Pines Information Center
U.S. Forest Service
Angeles Crest Highway (HWY 2) -- Wrightwood CA 92397
760 249-3504 • Tues to Sun 8:00 3:00 PM • Doug Milburn
-- Heritage Resources 760 249-3317
U.S. Forest Service
Angeles National Forest
-- Mike McIntire -- Heritage Resources 626 574-1613
Catholic Summer Camps in Big Pines
area
Camp Maria Stella, near Wrightwood, California
Camp Teresita Pines - now the Lions
Club at Terisite Pines -- near Jackson Lake.
Camp Junipero Serra was
one of those youth summer camps in the 1950s
-- next door to Jackson
Lake at 6150 ft. elevation
Reserve USA
Camping Reservations: http://ReserveUSA.com/
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The NRRS -- National
Recreation Reservation Service -- is a one-stop reservation service
for the the USDA Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park
Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation outdoor recreation
facilities and activities.
Recreation USA : http://recreation.gov/
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-- California
| Angeles
National Forest |
Angeles National Forest
Located in southern California, lies the Angeles
National Forest, encompassing 694,187 acres including almost the entire
San Gabriel Mountain range. The Forest provides the striking backdrop to
southern California's largest metropolitan area, the city of Los Angeles.
Topography on the forest ranges from mountain peaks over 10,000 feet to
low-lying canyon bottoms at a mere 1,200 feet above sea level.
A good introduction to the Forest is a drive along the scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Highway No. 2). Along the way, see how the vegetation changes with elevation and watch for wildlife-bobcat, mountain lion, bear, and perhaps get a glimpse of impressive Nelson bighorn sheep. The forest offers year-round opportunities for camping, hiking, swimming, boating, picniking, and sightseeing. Over 800 miles of forest trails lead hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and off-highway vehicle riders across rugged backcountry, along high, scenic ridges, and through shady, tree lined canyons. During the winter, visitors can ski at one the five ski areas or cross country ski, snow camp, hike, snow-mobile, or just play in the snow.
The Angeles National Forest was established by Executive Order in December, 1892. It covers over 650,000 acres and is the backyard playground to the huge metropolitan area of Los Angeles. The Angeles National Forest manages the watersheds within its boundaries to provide valuable water to southern California and to protect surrounding communities from catastrophic floods.
The land within the Forest is as diverse in appearance and terrain as it is in the opportunities it provides for enjoyment. Elevations range from 1,200 to 10,064 feet. Much of the Forest is covered with dense chaparral which changes to pine and fir-covered slopes as you reach the majestic peaks of the higher elevations.
Grassy Hollow Visitor Center |
is located on Highway 2 -- 6 miles west of the town of Wrightwood, CA. Exhibits tell the story of this rugged, wind-swept area. Follow the animal tracks from the interpretive panels, under the trees (yes! indoors!) to the forest mural where you'll discover facts about the animals who live here. You'll find a wide variety of books, Smokey dolls and other great items in the gift shop. Subject to closure in periods of high snowfall. Come on in! • Weekends 10:00 to 4:00
For more information call the Center at (626) 821-6737,
or the District Office at (661) 944-2187. For information on volunteering,
contact Volunteers of the Angeles National Forest Forest
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Adventure
Pass to park your car
Daily Passes are hang tags, designed to be self-validating.
Visitors scratch off the day and month of their visit upon reaching their
forest destination. This design allows Daily Passes to be conveniently
obtained in advance of the outing to the forest. The pass is good until
10 a.m. the morning after it is used.
One of the unique features of the Adventure Pass program is the participation of private vendors, small and large local businesses that sell the pass in more than one hundred communities near the forests
WRIGHTWOOD
Wrightwood Auto Service
1415 State Hwy. 2
Wrightwood, CA 92397
760-249-5335
Daily
Cinnamon's Bakery
1350 Hwy. 2 Unit B
Wrightwood, CA 92397
760-249-5588
Annual, Daily
Jensens Market
1340 Hwy 2
Wrightwood, CA 92397
760-249-3322
Annual, Daily, Secondary
Volunteers Of The Angeles National Forest
Grassy Hollow Visitor Center
Wrightwood, CA 92397
626-821-6737
Annual, Daily, Secondary
Wrightwood Mini - Mart Arco
1315 Hwy 2
Wrightwood, CA 92397
760-249-6115
Annual, Daily, Secondary
Mt. Baden Powell
-- Mt.
Baden Powell Trail | Local
Hikes | hike
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-- Big Horn Gold Mine established by Tom Vincent in
1890s, Siskon Mining Corparation
starts at the base of Mt. Baden Powell
California State Route 2 | wiki
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Angeles Crest Highway | wiki
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