Host Martin Hale confirms what John Muir once said about California's San Gabriel Mountains, "they are the most up and down range he ever traveled." Part of Southern California's transverse range, these mountains sit astride some of the most populous areas in the world. They are an inescapable presence here, situated east and north of Los Angeles. They rise up very steep and the tallest peak is Mount San Antonio, locally known as Mount Baldy, because of the scarcity of trees. However, as we happily discover, this rugged range has almost indescribable beauty, with more waterfalls than any other region in Southern California; also, it is home to many beautiful chaparral and mountain wildflowers.