A Mountain by Any Other Name

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

There is one pet peeve that is shared among true historians and those that love history; it's evidence of other people trying to change it, revise it, or literally crumple it up like a piece of paper and toss it away to start anew. Sadly, I have seen much evidence of folks doing exactly that. The latest example is a push to change a mountain's name. In this case, the mountain that I am talking about is a local one. Every morning that we wake up, every night that we sit on the swing chair and study the stars, we see it rising to the north of the community. It is presently called Table Mountain, but since it is missing a mountain's identifying mark-a peak- it is really a ridge line.
 
Table Mountain's tabletop-like shape extends east to west; to the south rests the quiet Swarthout Valley, to the north is the awesome Mojave Desert. Portions of it is called East Table Mountain. John Robinson identified it as this in his fantastic book “The San Gabriel’s,” when he was writing about the creation of the Big Pines Park in 1924. Over the years Table Mountain was also referred to as Swarthout Ridge and Sunrise. But, the name of Table Mountain has overshadowed every other name for the last ninety years. Now, there is a push to change its name to give honor to the dangerous San Andreas Fault that exists in the area. New name designated recommendation-San Andreas Ridge.
 
While investigating the origin of the name change, it was learned that it was a brainchild of a relative newcomer to the area-come to think of it, he was a fella that lived in a tent on Table Mountain itself for a short time. The idea had been pushed forward by other relative newcomers and actually submitted to the public affairs offices of the Angeles National Forest and the San Bernardino National Forest. The names of the parties are not important, and due to respect for some of these people, the names will not be mentioned. But, let’s talk about changing history.
 
Table Mountain's identify is as old as Wrightwood's. However, it is Table Mountain's contribution to history that has actually put Wrightwood into the worldwide limelight; thanks in part to the early Ford Observatory and then the Smithsonian Observatory, which later became the famous JPL/Table Mountain Observatory. It also became famous through its role in developing skiing in southern California; with its relationship with Blue Ridge and Holiday Hill, it had increased interest in winter sports worldwide. Table Mountain first appeared on the Angeles National Forest Service map in 1925, the information and locations on that map were complied from 1918-1919. Table Mountain then appeared on the USGS ( U.S. Geological Survey) map in 1941, the information and locations on the map were compiled in 1935. The mountain's history is well established, so why in Sam Hill (excuse the pun) would anyone want to change it?
 
The proposed new name for the ridge is "San Andreas Ridge,” no doubt a salute to the famous San Andreas Fault. Why would anyone want to bring attention to such a dangerous element to the southern California landscape? The San Andreas Fault is the best-known active fault and approximately 9 % of its path passes along the northern margin of the San Gabriel Mountains. It has ruptured twice since local history has been recorded. The fault in this segment had created a strong topographic expression, which is obvious by the presence of scarps, the juxtaposition of rocks of different sandstone and shale and granite and erosion of crushed rocks in the fault zone. As a result, the fault area is filled with fault-caused valleys, like Swarthout Valley and Lone Pine Canyon. The Swarthout Valley is where the mountain community of Wrightwood sits. The fault is topographically elevated, particularly in the San Gabriel Mountain segment. According to studies made in 1975 (follow-up after the famous 1971 San Fernando Earthquake) it was found that the San Andreas Fault line was well south of Table Mountain (as far south as Twin Lakes Drive). It runs west to east; affecting the Cajon Pass and running a jagged line through Swarthout Valley. It runs through Big Pines, right through the area where Big Pines Arch used to be located, down through Mescal and continues northwest.

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

The San Andreas Fault created a mean scar from the Wrightwood/Big Pines area and across the southern portion of Antelope Valley.

The whole San Gabriel Mountain range is influenced by the San Andreas Fault, especially the mountains and depressions in our area.  The San Gabriel Mountain, where Wrightwood is located, is influenced by many faults: the inactive faults like Punchbowl-Nadeau Faults, Fenner Fault, San Gabriel Fault and the San Antonio Fault; And the active ones like the -San Andreas Fault and Southern Bounding Faults. Even though Table Mountain is influenced by the San Andreas Fault, the fault line doesn't seem to pass through it. So, why the renaming of the mountain to "San Andreas Ridge?"

Geologist Bruce Furst found clear evidence of a fault trace Nov. 13, 1974. It was three months 'after' the Alquist-Priolo Geologic Hazard Zones Act was enforced on Wrightwood. The location was south of Oriole Road on Twins Lakes Property.

What about the symbolic reference of the name "San Andreas Ridge,” especially for a ridge that shelters and protects the north side of Wrightwood from the influence of the Mojave Desert? The San Andreas Fault, through the devastating San Fernando Earthquake, resulted in the creation of the Alquist-Priolo Geologic Hazard Zones Act. This Act was a knee jerk reaction from the state of California. It created a law that stopped all issuance of building permits in what was called the San Andreas Fault Study Zone. A very expensive fault study had to be done first before getting such a building permit. If in fact that permit was ever approved. Guess who would have been stuck with the cost of the study?  The Alquist-Priolo Geologic Hazard Zones Act affected over 55 % of Wrightwood! Only through the community working together with San Bernardino County, was this serious hindrance to Wrightwood's future handled. But it came very close to seriously affecting the town as a whole.
 
If someone still wanted to rename the historic Table Mountain, even after learning only a brief history on the historic Table Mountain, they might want to use a different name.  The current proposed name change might be a bad omen for a thriving community.

[Local]

As I clicked on this article (not really reading the title I just enjoy your history of Wrightwood) before I scanned half way down the picture I recognized, that the picture had been taken from Table Mountain.
Table Mountain will always be Table Mountain to all the old Locals even if SOME people want to change the name.

LocAL

[ChrisLynnet]

Don't look at me! At 5 years I'm still a relative newcomer to Wrightwood, but I love the old names. I don't think we should change a thing.

[Wrightwood]

Terry,
I think there is some confusion as I don't think storm was attempting to have Table Mountain renamed and don't think the USGS would have allowed it without justification. In addition an attempt to rename would need approval by the USFS and counties involved.

The area that storm is attempting to have named is the ridge line that falls within San Bernardino County and is not Table Mountain.

[tlc]

Very interesting history of the area and great images to support the information. I suggest, if suggestions are warranted, to call the second area Table Mountain Ridge.

[Wrightwood]

Here's a link on how this all got started:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,8367.0.html

[Nolena]

Storm Ridge

[Hobbes]

Thanks for clarifying that Wrightwood, because I was becoming confused.  I thought too, that Storm was attempting to name a different ridge.

I've Known this Mountain as Table Mountain well before owners changed the ski resort name to Ski Sunrise, a name I never really cared for.  The ridge has always been Table Mountain to me.

But I do have one question.  How has the other ridge gone so long without a name?  Was it considered part of Table Mountain, is it part of table Mountain?  I hope someone can explain.

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

Douglas Milburn, who is the Angeles National Forest Assistant Forest Archaeologist, emailed me the following: In regards to the Table Mt. Map provided on Wrightwood Forum- "The circled area is simply an extension of Table Mountain Ridge and has been always been referred to as East Table Mountain Ridge (by the USFS). Similarly, the main ridges at the northern end of Table Mtn. are referred to as West Table Mountain Ridge and North Table Mtn. Ridge.  I have hiked the entire East Table Mountain ridgeline a number of times and there's no good dividing point to separate the ridges (as the graphic seemingly indicates)."

[Nolena]

Well, I guess that settles it.
It's Nolena Ridge.

[Bob C]

For anyone interested, this topic is scheduled to be discussed at the April MAC meeting (April 20, 2009, 7pm, community building)

An article about the March MAC meeting that in this past week's Mountaineer Progress, reads in part:

County Land Services Deputy Director–Jim Squire addressed the group. He spoke of two applications that have been submitted to the state to name the mountain ridge located behind Jensen’s Market. One application suggests naming the ridge “San Andreas Ridge”, while the other application suggest naming it “East Table Mountain”. Squire mentioned that in speaking to several agencies, including the San Bernardino National Forest, they seemed ambiguous to the idea, but that the Angeles National Forest Ranger was against the idea. MAC Chairman, Kim Floyd put the discussion on the April agenda and they will seek community comment at that time.

[Naughty Pines]

Shake and Bake Ridge
Table Leg Ridge
Desert Edge Ridge
Confusion Ridge
Nameless Ridge
Heavenlly Ridge