| Cleveland National Forest | |
|---|---|
Cleveland National Forest from Laguna Mountain | |
![]() Interactive map of Cleveland National Forest | |
| Location | San Diego /Riverside /Orange counties,California, United States |
| Nearest city | Corona, California |
| Coordinates | 33°18′N116°48′W / 33.3°N 116.8°W /33.3; -116.8[1] |
| Area | 720 sq mi (1,900 km2) |
| Named for | Grover Cleveland |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Cleveland National Forest |
Cleveland National Forest is aU.S. national forest inSouthern California that encompasses 460,000 acres/720 mi2 (1,900 km2) of inlandmontane regions. It is approximately 60 miles (97 km) from the Pacific Ocean, within the counties ofSan Diego,Riverside, andOrange. The landscape varies somewhat, with mostlychaparralcanyons,arroyos andhigh desert, but dotted withmeadows andoak andconifer forests. Near water sources,riparian environments andperennial aquatic plants attract native and migratory wildlife, such as at San Diego's man-madeLake Cuyamaca. A generally warm and dry, inland-Mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest, with the cooler months producing morning frost and snowfall (in the higher elevations). It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. The area is administered by theU.S. Forest Service, a government agency within theUnited States Department of Agriculture, and is locally overseen by theDescanso,Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts.
TheKumeyaay,Payómkawichum,Cahuilla, andCupeñoindigenous peoples long inhabited various areas of the Forest. As with many tribes in California, acorns were an important part of their diet. Many of Cleveland National Forest's trails are built following their traditional routes.[2]
Cleveland National Forest was created on July 1, 1908 with the consolidation ofTrabuco Canyon National Reserve andSan Jacinto National Reserve by PresidentTheodore Roosevelt and named after former PresidentGrover Cleveland.[2]
In 1964, a bid to reclaim 25 acres (10 ha) of the Forest was made byAcjachemen leaderClarence H. Lobo. AfterCalifornia Mission Indians were offered $29.1 Million Dollars by the US Federal Government in 1964 "to settle tribal land claims" regarding 70 million acres (280,000 km2) of land, Lobo rejected this offer, since it valued an acre of native land at 47 cents and did not account for unratified treaties.[3][4] Lobo responded by sending $12.50 to PresidentLyndon B. Johnson for 25 acres (10 ha) of Cleveland National Forest (at 50 cents per acre), and set up a camp at the site (the Upper San Juan Campground).[3][4]
Cleveland National Forest was the site of the 2003Cedar Fire, at its time it was the largest wildland fire in California history. Started when a lost hunter lit a fire to signal for help, the fire would go on to burn 273,246 acres, destroying 2,820, kill fourteen civilians and one firefighter, and injure an additional 113 people.
TheSantiago Fire of 2007 burned 6,701 acres (2,712 ha) of the Forest, while subsequent fires that year burned thousands of acres more.[5]
ANational Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking in designated areas of Cleveland National Forest, as well as other National Forests inSouthern California, and may be obtained from local merchants, visitor centers, or online.
Also updated on Cleveland National Forest's official site (under ‘Current Conditions’) are road, campground, picnic area, and trail closures.
"Law Enforcement Activities" is a common reason given for closures in the southern portion of the Forest. These closures are implemented to limit back road access, with the goal of circumnavigating US Border Patrol checkpoints.Bear Valley Road, coming up fromBuckman Springs, Kitchen Creek Road and Thing Valley Road, are among routes that are routinely restricted.[7]
Elevated fire restrictions were announced in August 2020.[1]
Popular activities include picnic areas, bird- and wildlife-watching, botanical tours, hiking,rock climbing,horseback riding,trail-running,mountain biking,camping or driving on the many mountain roads. The Forest also includes Corral Canyon (not to be confused with the area of thesame name inMalibu) and Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Areas.
In addition to campers, hikers and wildlife advocates,forest rangers are also available to assist and accommodate the needs of local telecommunications and utilities companies, horseback riders, seasonal hunters, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, local farmers/ranchers, residents, neighbors and visitors alike.[8]
The best season for hiking is during the cooler fall, winter, and spring months. Many trails travel through the open chaparral and get very hot in the summer. Summer hiking should be done in early morning hours on designated trails that offer shade.
Poison oak is found along most trails. Ticks can be a problem in the spring and early summer.[11]
There are currently two operational fire lookout towers in Cleveland National Forest.
There are 4 officialwilderness areas in Cleveland National Forest that are part of theNational Wilderness Preservation System. One of them extends into land that is managed by theBureau of Land Management.
Cleveland National Forest is home to many wildlife species such asmountain lion,bobcat,mule deer,coyote,gray fox,ringtail cat,long-tailed weasel,opossum,black-tailed jackrabbits,desert cottontails,California ground squirrel, and many other small species. A wildlife corridor is being created between Cleveland National Forest and Orange County's wild coastal terrains to ensure that animals can retreat fire safely if needed.[14]