Bands of bighorn sheep occur on some of the higher and more rugged peaks
of the San Gabriel Mountains. Although I never sighted the animals
themselves, I have seen abundant signs of their presence on the ridge
sloping west from Telegraph Peak at about 9000 feet elevation. Several
bands reportedly range in the head of San Antonio Canyon, and to the
south on Telegraph, Ontario, and Cucamonga peaks. The sheep usually stay
in the higher sections of the range, generally above about 7000 feet
elevation. According to district Ranger A. Lewis some bighorns summer in
the lower East Fork of San Gabriel Canyon. The subspecific status of the
bighorns in the San Gabriel Mountains has not been definitely
determined. Following Grinnell (1933:211) they are here referred to
_nelsoni_. If the band can be preserved without introduction of "alien"
stock, the United States Forest Service and the California Fish and Game
Commission will have registered an achievement that will be applauded by
all persons who are interested in American wildlife.