266 GUIDEBOOK OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES 
Banning, near the head of the valley constituting San Gorgonio Pass, 
is an agricultural and residential settlement where high elevation and 
4 other conditions make it an agreeable summer resort 
ham as well as an all-year residence. The mean annual 
Elevation 2,320 feet. é oe 
Population 2,752. temperature is about 60°, the average humidity ranges 
iy Orleans 1,915 from 42 to 53 per cent, and the mean annual precipi- 
tation is 18.5 inches. It is claimed that there is an 
average of 345 days of sunshine in the year. The views of the moun- 
tains to the north and south are very impressive, and roads lead from 
into both ranges. The great crest of San Gorgonio Mountain 
(elevation 11,485 feet), a few miles north of the pass, is most conspic- 
uous, and often its summit remains snow-covered long after the fruit 
trees of the lowlands arein blossom. Thisis the highest point in south- 
ern California. San Jacinto Peak is also a prominent feature ome far 
to the southeast. 
The water used for irrigation at Banning is taken from the San 
Gorgonio River, which has an average flow of about 16 second-feet. 
There are many or- 
' chards of peaches, 
prunes, almonds, and 
other fruits near 
Banning, and through 
Pershing siding to 
Beaumont and be- 
FicuRe 64.—Cross section of San Gorgonio Pass near Cabazon sid- yond, almond trees 
ing, Calif., looking east. gr, granite; ss, sandstone; sc, schist; Qal, blossoming in early 
api February are an 
attractive sight. The 28-mile tunnel to carry water from the Colorado 
River at Parker to Los Angeles will pass near Beaumont, where it will 
be about 800 feet below the surface. This water is to be impounded 
by the Boulder Dam. 
The San Bernardino Mountains (see fig. 65) consist of a great mass 
of schists of various kinds, greatly contorted and invaded by granites, 
some of which have also become schistose owing to movement and 
great compression. There are excellent exposures of these rocks in 
the canyons of Smith Creek and the San Gorgonio River northeast of 
Beaumont. On the south side of the San Bernardino Mountains the 
schist laminae dip 30° NE., and the peak called San Bernardino 
Mountain (10,630 feet above sea level) consists of biotite schist. The 
rocks around San Gorgonio Mountain range from biotite granite to 
schist, both intruded by granite. From the Whitewater River to 
Deep Canyon the schists dip mostly 20° N., with many local varia- 
tions. The great offset in the mountain front at the Whitewater 
ptakieg sis to above is due to faulting. (Vaughan.) 
Snow is conspicuous in winter on the higher ranges in southern 
California, put it disappears in summer. Formerly there were small 
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