Mount San Antonio
Encyclopedia
Mount San Antonio, commonly known as Old Baldy or Mt Baldy, at 10068 ft (3,068.7 m), is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains
, and the highest point in Los Angeles County
. Mount San Antonio's sometimes snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days and dominate the view of the Los Angeles skyline.
Nearby are San Antonio Creek and San Antonio Falls.
The creek descends through a gorge and forms several waterfalls. The last drop has a height of about 75 feet (22.9 m).
The peak, which marks a boundary between San Bernardino County
and Los Angeles County
,
is called Baldy because of the absence of trees around the summit. The Tongva tribe call the mountain Yoát or Joat, which means snow, and the Mohave call it Avii Kwatiinyam. It is currently named for Anthony of Padua
, a patron of the Franciscan Order.
Between 1922 and 1927, American physicist
Albert Michelson performed a number of experiments involving bouncing a beam of light onto a reflector at Lookout Mountain,
a prominence on the south ridge of the mountain 3.2 miles (5.1 km) southwest of the peak, from the observatory at Mount Wilson
some 22 miles (35.4 km) distant. The exact distance was very accurately surveyed and, using the measurements, the speed of light
was calculated to be 299,796±4 km/s.
Mount San Antonio, along with the nearby peak known as Thunder Mountain, is currently home to the family owned and operated ski resort Mount Baldy Ski Lifts, the closest resort to Los Angeles. Nearby lies Mt Baldy Village
, a small seasonal community. The village has its own fire department, church, visitor's center and school district. Mt. Baldy School (the abbreviation is the standard usage) has about 88 students.
Hiking trails access the summit from three sides of the mountain and one route is assisted on summer weekends by the availability of a running ski-area chair lift. Many areas in the foothills are suitable for rock climbing and bouldering. There are dozens of off-ramp accessible trails that are known for vigorous hikes.
For mountaineers, the winter and spring offer a snow climbing challenge. The "Baldy Bowl" south of the summit can be climbed with crampons
and ice ax. The bowl can be treacherous for inexperienced climbers as some sections have slopes of 45° to 50°. These can only safely be climbed when the snow conditions are good.
Since 1965, each Labor Day, the San Antonio Canyon Town Hall has sponsored a "Run-to-the-Top" on Mt Baldy in which a 8 miles (12.9 km) course over roads and trails ends at the 10068 feet (3,068.7 m) summit for a 4000 feet (1,219.2 m) elevation gain.
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains Range is located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California, United States. The mountain range lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert, with Interstate 5 to the west and Interstate 15 to the east...
, and the highest point in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
. Mount San Antonio's sometimes snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days and dominate the view of the Los Angeles skyline.
Geography
Mount San Antonio has two peaks: the main peak, with an elevation of 10068 feet (3,068.7 m), and a sub-peak, West Baldy, at 9988 feet (3,044.3 m).Nearby are San Antonio Creek and San Antonio Falls.
The creek descends through a gorge and forms several waterfalls. The last drop has a height of about 75 feet (22.9 m).
History
San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
and Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
,
is called Baldy because of the absence of trees around the summit. The Tongva tribe call the mountain Yoát or Joat, which means snow, and the Mohave call it Avii Kwatiinyam. It is currently named for Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
, a patron of the Franciscan Order.
Between 1922 and 1927, American physicist
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
Albert Michelson performed a number of experiments involving bouncing a beam of light onto a reflector at Lookout Mountain,
a prominence on the south ridge of the mountain 3.2 miles (5.1 km) southwest of the peak, from the observatory at Mount Wilson
Mount Wilson (California)
Mount Wilson is one of the better known peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, part of the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California. It is the location of the Mount Wilson Observatory and has become the astronomical center of Southern California with and telescopes, and and tall...
some 22 miles (35.4 km) distant. The exact distance was very accurately surveyed and, using the measurements, the speed of light
Speed of light
The speed of light in vacuum, usually denoted by c, is a physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its value is 299,792,458 metres per second, a figure that is exact since the length of the metre is defined from this constant and the international standard for time...
was calculated to be 299,796±4 km/s.
Mount San Antonio, along with the nearby peak known as Thunder Mountain, is currently home to the family owned and operated ski resort Mount Baldy Ski Lifts, the closest resort to Los Angeles. Nearby lies Mt Baldy Village
Mount Baldy, California
Mt Baldy is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Mt Baldy is north of Ontario. Mt Baldy has a post office with ZIP code . The community was established as Camp Baynham in 1906; it changed its name to Camp Baldy in 1910 and became Mt Baldy in 1951. Its...
, a small seasonal community. The village has its own fire department, church, visitor's center and school district. Mt. Baldy School (the abbreviation is the standard usage) has about 88 students.
Recreation
For mountaineers, the winter and spring offer a snow climbing challenge. The "Baldy Bowl" south of the summit can be climbed with crampons
Crampons
Crampons are traction devices used to improve mobility on snow and ice. There are three main attachment systems for footwear: step-in, hybrid, and strap bindings. The first two require boots with welts, the last adapt to any type....
and ice ax. The bowl can be treacherous for inexperienced climbers as some sections have slopes of 45° to 50°. These can only safely be climbed when the snow conditions are good.
Since 1965, each Labor Day, the San Antonio Canyon Town Hall has sponsored a "Run-to-the-Top" on Mt Baldy in which a 8 miles (12.9 km) course over roads and trails ends at the 10068 feet (3,068.7 m) summit for a 4000 feet (1,219.2 m) elevation gain.
See also
- List of highest points in California by county
- Mt. Baldy Joint School DistrictMt. Baldy Joint School DistrictThe Mt Baldy School District consists of one school, Mt Baldy School, that serves students in grades K-8 in Mount Baldy, California, USA....