1968 Map of Margarita Peak

About this map

The Santa Margarita Mountains dominate this rugged sector of San Diego County, where high peaks overlook a complex network of canyons and military infrastructure. Margarita Peak stands as a prominent landmark, supporting the Margarita Lookout Tower to monitor the surrounding Cleveland National Forest. The landscape is defined by the transition from protected forest lands to the extensive Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton Naval Reservation. Evidence of active training is visible through numerous firing ranges and strategically placed observation towers along ridges like Horno Summit. Water sources are scattered throughout the dry terrain, including Case Spring, Mud Springs, and White Oak Springs, which have historically sustained travelers along routes like the Indian Potrero Truck Trail. The drainage patterns of San Mateo Canyon and San Onofre Canyon illustrate the deep erosion that has shaped this coastal mountain range.