Near San Bernardino in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Garces-Smith Monument

The Mojave Indian Trail

— Monument Peak —

Garces-Smith Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 24, 2018

1. Garces-Smith Monument

Inscription.
Traveled by Fr. Francisco Garcés, March, 1776, and Jedediah S. Smith, November, 1826.

Erected 1931 by San Bernardino County Historical Society. (Marker Number 618.)

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 34° 14.734′ N, 117° 21.206′ W. Marker is near San Bernardino, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from Forest Road 2N49, 7.2 miles north of Interstate 215. Located six miles up a narrow, rough dirt road that begins at the end of Palm Ave. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Bernardino CA 92407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

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and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mormon Lumber Road (approx. 3½ miles away); Sycamore Grove (approx. 3.9 miles away); Pioneer Women (approx. 4.6 miles away); Las Flores Ranch Barn (approx. 4.8 miles away); Las Flores Ranch / Guapiabit / This Fenced Lane / Mojave Trail (approx. 4.9 miles away); Blue Cut (approx. 6.2 miles away); Donald S. Wieman (approx. 6.7 miles away); Elliot Ranch (approx. 6.7 miles away).

More about this marker.
A vehicle with high ground clearance is needed to drive this road. Contact a local Ranger Station for current road conditions, and ask if the road is open.

After driving (or hiking) nearly six miles up the dirt road, look for an intersection with another road going east. Park near the intersection and walk up the small hill to the marker.
This location is often called Monument Peak.

Regarding Garces-Smith Monument.
Known as Monument Peak, this is where the Mohave Trail crossed the crest of the San

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 24, 2018

2. Garces-Smith Monument

Bernardino Mountains east of Cajon Pass. It is located at the summit of Forest Road 2N49. This marker indicates the path of the Mohave Indian Trail, a centuries-old trade route linking the tribes of the Colorado River to those of the Pacific Ocean. It also memorializes two noted early travelers, Father Francisco Garcés, who in 1776 became the first known missionary explorer to travel across San Bernardino County and leave a written record of his experiences, and Jedediah Smith, who in 1826 was the first known Anglo-American to use the Mohave Trail. In 1830 the trail went through the Cajon Pass, bypassing Monument Peak. A historical marker was placed on this site September 19, 1931, by the San Bernardino County Historical Society. This became California Historic Landmark no. 618 on September 11, 1956.

Trail to the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 24, 2018

3. Trail to the Monument

Elevation 5,291 Feet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 24, 2018

4. Elevation 5,291 Feet

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,006 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 24, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.