[1] Juan Flores and the gang had taken refuge on the peak after killing Los Angeles County Sheriff James R. Barton and three of his posse.

Flores made a daring escape from encirclement by a Los Angeles posse led by General Andrés Pico.

As part of the posse led by Tomas Avila Sanchez and Bethel Coopwood stormed up the mountain under fire, Flores rode his horse down the steep slope of the peak along with a two others of the gang, while three of the gang were captured there.

Flores and another gang member were captured the next day by an El Monte posse led by Frank Gentry, but escaped again that night.

James R. Barton (1810– January 23, 1857) was the second sheriff of Los Angeles County, and the first to die in office in the line of duty.