Deep into the forest, this area offers a sense of serenity and is home to some of our largest and most unique trees.

Trees in this part of the forest are next to a small, naturally occurring meadow, affectionately referred to as “Deer Meadow” by our Forest Guides. Tucked away in the woods, the grassy understory of this area is most beautiful in spring when wildflowers bloom in pops of color across the forest floor.

Wildlife is abundant here, and in the winter months it’s easy to spot fox and deer tracks in the snow or a great horned owl flying overhead.

Trees here have front-row seats to the best views of the San Gabriel Mountains, and overlook the valley below. Open spaces along the hilly slopes in this area are perfect for picnicking and enjoying the afternoon sun. In spring, blooming mountain lupins and wildflowers bring the forest floor to life in vibrant colors. At sunset, a serene golden hue is cast across the mountainside. On clear days, you can see the skyline of Downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean and even Catalina Island.

Close to the Welcome Area and parking, this area makes the forest approachable to nature lovers of all ages and reminds us why the San Bernardino Mountains are known as the “Alps of Southern California.”

In this part of the forest, deciduous trees and evergreens grow together in a diverse mixture of age and size. Among the incense cedars, ponderosas, and sugar pines are moss-covered douglas fir and black oaks with branches reaching up toward the sun.

The trees of Evergreen Gables grow along a gentle slope that may remind you of a roofline.