San Gorgonio Pass, Rail mountain pass in California, United States.

San Gorgonio Pass is a mountain corridor in California running at about 485 meters elevation, connecting the Los Angeles region with the Coachella Valley. The route accommodates both Interstate 10 and railroad tracks that carry cargo and passengers.

The rail line was completed in 1883, establishing the second transcontinental railroad route in the United States. This created a vital connection between the East Coast and southern California.

The pass marks a natural boundary between two distinct climate zones and has shaped settlement patterns on both sides. Visitors notice the transition from green hills to drier terrain as they cross through.

Visitors can easily drive through on Interstate 10 or explore views from several overlooks along the corridor. Wind conditions are common in this area and can change quickly, so plan accordingly.

The pass is one of the windiest places in the United States, not the least windy; the mountain ranges on either side funnel wind through the gap, which is why the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm stands on its eastern slope at the entrance to the Coachella Valley. The turbines in the photograph have dark lattice steel towers and white three-bladed rotors.