Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District

Coordination of the Interstate 5 utility corridor is a major activity of the District. In addition to the freeway, the Interstate corridor includes the California State Water Project facilities, four electric transmission lines, three crude oil and two natural gas pipelines, and two fiber optics systems. It also includes the original road (circa 1920), which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Attractions - Recreation areas on the District include Pyramid Lake and portions of Castaic Lake (on the State Water Project), Rowher Flat OHV Area and one shooting range. Approximately 3,000 acres of the Little Rock Reservoir Recreation Area, which formerly offered picnicking, camping and fishing opportunities, is now closed to all use until further notice, to protect the endangered southwestern Arroyo toad while additional species studies are being conducted. The District also has 13 organization camps, 160 recreation residences, and two ski areas under special use permit.

The lakes on the Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District include Bouquet Reservoir, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Jackson Lake, and Pyramid Lake. Amenities and opportunities vary from trout fishing and non-power boating, to jet skiing and beach bathing.

Rowher Flat is open to motorcycles, ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles. A handout map of trails within the Rowher Flat area is available from the District Office.

Recreation - The Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District is a place where you can hike, camp, mountain bike, fish, swim, target shoot, go off-roading, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Forest visitors on the San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles and Los Padres National Forests of Southern California are required to purchase an Adventure Pass and display it on their vehicle when parked in the Forest. The cost is $5 per day or $30 per year and can be purchased in any Forest Service office or over 350 businesses throughout Southern California.

Climate - With the huge elevation range, the Angeles experiences tremendous variations in climate. The lower elevations experience relatively warm temperatures year round, with rain much more frequent in the winter months than in the summer months. The high elevations receive enough snow in the winter to support several ski areas. The summers bring warm temperatures to the mountains.

Location - The Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District runs from Ventura County to the San Bernardino County line, and takes in the northern 60% of the Forest. The District surrounds the city of Santa Clarita and the communities of Green Valley, Lake Hughes and Wrightwood. It lies adjacent to the city of Palmdale and the communities of Little Rock and Pearblossom.