San Jacinto Peak

San Jacinto Peak
San Jacinto Mountain
The northern slopes and foothills of the peak
Highest point
Elevation10,834 ft (3,302 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence8,319 ft (2,536 m) ↓ San Gorgonio Pass[2]
Isolation20.3 mi (32.7 km) → Bighorn Mountain
Listing
Coordinates33°48′53″N 116°40′46″W / 33.814712342°N 116.679438022°W / 33.814712342; -116.679438022[1]
Naming
English translationSaint Hyacinth's Peak
Language of nameSpanish
Geography
San Jacinto Peak is located in California
San Jacinto Peak
San Jacinto Peak
USA California
LocationRiverside County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSan Jacinto Mountains
Topo mapUSGS San Jacinto Peak
Climbing
First ascent1874 by "F. of Riverside"
Easiest routeTramway and trail hike

San Jacinto Peak (/ˌsæn həˈsɪnt, - əˈ-, - jəˈ-/ SAN hə-SIN-toh, -⁠ jə-, -⁠ yə-; often designated Mount San Jacinto) is a 10,834 ft (3,302 m) peak in the San Jacinto Mountains, in Riverside County, California. Lying within Mount San Jacinto State Park it is the highest both in the range and the county, and serves as the southern border of the San Gorgonio Pass. Naturalist John Muir wrote of San Jacinto Peak, "The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!"[4]

San Jacinto Peak is one of the most topographically prominent peaks in the United States, and is ranked the sixth most prominent peak in the 48 contiguous states.[5] According to John W. Robinson and Bruce D. Risher, authors of The San Jacintos, "No Southern California hiker worth his salt would miss climbing 'San Jack' at least once."[6]

Known for its spectacular north escarpment, the peak rises over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above San Gorgonio Pass. It plays host to the famous Cactus to Clouds Trail.

  1. ^ a b "San Jacinto". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  2. ^ "San Jacinto Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  3. ^ "San Jacinto Peak". Hundred Peaks Section List. Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  4. ^ Heald, Weldon F. (July, 1963) "The Lordly San Jacintos," in Westways. The account of Muir visiting Mt. San Jacinto appeared first in Frederick, K. P. (1926) Legends and History of the San Jacinto Mountains. Long Beach, CA.
  5. ^ "USA Lower 48 Top 100 Peaks by Prominence". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  6. ^ Robinson, John W; Bruce D. Risher (1993). The San Jacintos. Arcadia: Big Santa Anita Historical Society. p. 195. ISBN 0-9615421-6-0.