The San Bernardino Mountains are a large mountain range located in San Bernardino County with a small southern portion located in Riverside County. The Southern California mountain range, which borders on the San Gabriel Mountains is approximately 60 miles in length and averages 41 miles wide. The highest peak is San Gorgonio Mountain that rises to 11,503 feet. Most of the mountain range lies within the San Bernardino National Forest.

Cities that lie at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains include San Bernardino, Yucca Valley, and Hesperia. Communities that are located within the mountain range include Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, and Crestline.

The Santa Ana River has its headwaters in the San Bernardino Mountains. The river runs westward through Orange County into the Pacific Ocean. The Whitewater River originates in the San Bernardino Mountains and flows to the southeast through the Coachella Valley into the Salton Sea. while the Mojave River flows to the north into the Mojave Desert where it fills numerous desert aquifers.

 

San Gorgonio River

The San Gorgonio River is a 26.8-mile-long river in San Bernardino County and Riverside County. Its headwaters originate in the San Bernardino Mountains southwest of San Gorgonio Mountain. The river flows through Banning Canyon and the City of Banning before it joins the Whitewater River in the western Coachella Valley.

 

 

Wrightwood - Mountain High Ski Resorts

Wrightwood is a small community in the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County situated about 5,900 feet above sea level. Just west of Wrightwood is Big Pines and the Mountain High Ski and Snowboarding Resort consisting of three mountains and 59 trails on 290 acres. Ski lessons and rentals are available.

 

 

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area consists of Silverwood Lake and the swimming beaches, picnic areas, and hiking trails surrounding the beautiful reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains.

 

 

Little San Bernardino Mountains

The Little San Bernardino Mountains are a mountain range in Southern California extending about 40 miles southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains through San Bernardino County and Riverside County to the northern edge of the Salton Sea. Parts of the Joshua Tree National Park and Big Morongo Canyon Preserve are located within the mountain range.