Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Crystal Lake
Photographed by Tim Wilcox
1. Crystal Lake Marker
Known to the Mission Padres, Crystal Lake is the only natural lake in the San Gabriel Mountains. R.W. Dawson visited the lake in 1876, and later built a cabin nearby. Pasadena Judge Benjamin Eaton wrote in 1887 that "The water is clear as a crystal and our party found it good to drink."
In 1887 Dawson sold out to the Crystal Lake Irrigation Power Co., but insufficient water doomed the company plans. Los Angeles acquired the area in 1928, opened the campground in 1932, and transferred it to the U.S. Forest Service in 1943.
Erected 1988 by Platrix Chapter 2 E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 34° 19.45′ N, 117° 50.1′ W. Marker is in Angeles National Forest, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from Crystal Lake Road. Located at Crystal Lake in Angeles National Forest, 25 Miles north of Azusa, off State Route 39. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Azusa CA
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mount Baden-Powell (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Devil's Punchbowl (approx. 6.3 miles away); San Gabriel Dam (approx. 8.7 miles away); Cogswell Dam (approx. 9.3 miles away); West Fork Ranger Station (approx. 9.8 miles away); D.A.R. Societys Fiftieth Anniversary (approx. 9.9 miles away); Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout (approx. 11.2 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 11.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Angeles National Forest.
More about this marker. The marker was removed after it was vandalized, and there are no immediate plans to replace it.
Photographed by Craig Baker, circa 2017
2. Crystal Lake
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2021. This page has been viewed 945 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 27, 2021. 2. submitted on May 15, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
