San Bernardino Mountains

The mountains of San Bernardino can be found to the north and to the east from San Bernardino. The length of the mountains is around 60 miles, going from east to west, in the Mojave Desert southern area. Cajon Pass separates these mountains from the mountains of San Gabriel and Banning Pass does the same with the San Jacinto Mountains. The fault of San Andreas can be found to the south from this mountain range.

The biggest peak of the mountains is San Gorgonio, which has an elevation of 11,499 ft. This is also the biggest peak from South California. There is a smaller mountain called Little San Bernardino, which goes towards SE, starting from the mountain range, towards the Coachella Valley’s eastern part.

For the most part, these mountains can be found in the National Forest of San Bernardino. San Gorgonio Wilderness can be found to the range’s SE corner. In this area you will find four destinations that are popular when it comes to recreation: Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead and Crestline.

Little San Bernardino

This is a shorter mountain range from the Transverse Ranges, found in South California. Their length is around 40 miles, and goes from the mountains of San Bernardino to the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino, continuing to the NE part of Salton Sea and Salton Sink. The people living in the Palm Springs community with a view towards north can see this mountain range.

The height of the mountain peaks will go from 4000 ft and up to 5000 ft, with the highest point being at 5813 ft. This point is called Quail Mountain.

Habitats

A large part of this mountain range is part of the National Park Joshua Tree. Within these mountains, you can also find the Canyon Preserve Big Morongo. Here you will find large populations of Red Willow and Cottonwood.