Recent Photos of Almaden AFS, CA

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The following six photos were made by Tom Page on 11 April 2025

AlmadenAFSCA_April-2025_T.Page_01.jpg

This photo shows the former AN/FPS-24 frequency-diverse (FD) search radar tower in the distance. It is the only remaining Air Force structure at this site. The AC&W / SAGE Radar Operations building once stood to the right just past this ''Ceremonial Circle.'' (looking east)

This photo shows a closer view of the former AN/FPS-24 radar tower as seen from the pathway where the Operations building once stood. (looking east-northeast)

This photo shows another view of the former AN/FPS-24 radar tower as viewed from the former location of the AN/MPS-14 height-finder radar tower (and the manual ground-air-ground radio facility, pre-GATR). (looking northwest)

This photo, also taken from the location of the former AN/MPS-14 radar tower, is looking back at the Operations area. The AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar tower once stood where the roofed kiosk is now (on the right, just past the AN/FPS-24 radar tower). (looking west-northwest)

On a clear day, Almaden AFS and Mill Valley AFS were visible to personnel at both sites. This photo shows Mt. Tamalpais in the far distance where Mill Valley AFS was located (and still operates an ARSR-4 radar jointly for the FAA and the Air Force). (looking north-northwest)

This final photo shows one of the residents of Mt. Umunhum today. This photo was made along the access road on our drive up the mountain.

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Photo source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0zC-gMceA0 (October 2015)

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AN/FPS-24 tower (left) and AN/MPS-14 tower (right), 2013 photo by Tom Page

GATR Site - 2013 photo by Tom Page

Photos source: http://www.corpsfuds.com/php/siteindex.php?site=J09CA0999&state=California

FPS-20 foundation

FPS-24 tower, background; MPS-14 tower foreground

Power plant

Housing unit

Main site from GATR site

GATR building

Inside the GATR building

source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/radar%20%25252B%20tower/-Jenele-Smith/colorado/California/Homiestuff/P3020004.jpg

source: http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread_archive.asp?fid=3&threadid=35967

This photo was made from the top of the AN/FPS-24 radar tower, looking north. The Radar Operations building is in the photo`s center, with the Power Plant off to the left, the foundations of the AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar tower in the foreground, the foundations of the AN/FPS-20 search radar tower just beyond the Ops building, and the foundations of the AN/MPS-14 height-finder radar tower just to the right (that tower was moved to the other side of the AN/FPS-24 tower, and still stands today). The GATR site is on the mountaintop in the distance.

Some fine nighttime photos

Source: http://www.chronicas.com

Photos copyright Jonathan Haeber, 2005

img src="../photos/recent/AlmadenAFSCA_nighttime6.jpg" width="600" height="400">

Dedication of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Jacques Ridge Staging Area in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, 10/25/03.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/almadenqs/englishtown.html

The photographer states, "If you see the Umunhum tower from this angle, might I be so bold as to suggest you are having a pretty good mountain biking day. This shot is on the Woods Trail in Sierra Azul, a little ways down from the peak of El Sambroso. [May 8, 2004]."

Source: http://www.gatetrails.com/wallpapers.html

The Operations building can be seen, off to the far left

source: http://www.ocliw.com/~nwang/old/sierra_azul/3.html

Dec 2004 photos contributed by Tim Tyler

Some artwork inside the FPS-24 Building`s elevator.

Almaden AFS alumni Jerry Hess, standing next to the station`s flagpole with the former Admin Building behind him (Commander`s office was the one on the left, with the big window).

360 degree panoramic photo

Source: http://sapphire.cse.ucsc.edu/SlugVideo/PanFinal-UM.htm

On the far left, the top of the old AN/FPS-24 radar tower and the power plant are seen (through the steel tower in the foreground). To the right is seen the cantonment area. A modern-day weather radar tower with radome is seen on the ridge. Near the far right of the panorama, the GATR site is seen on the next mountain to the north.

From the web site http://www.ci.sj.ca.us/council/dist10/events/umunhumvisit.html

From the web site http://www.webshots.com/search/search.fcgi?words=Umunhum

The following photos contributed by Greg Call

Here are the recent photos (1998) )of the former Almaden AFS (atop Mt. Umunhum). Thanks go to Mr. Tom Randall (ranger) for escorting me to the top, and allowing me to take these pictures. [Except as noted, all photos were taken on Sunday, 8 Nov 98.] Mr. Randall informed me that the earthquake damage shown in pictures #8 and #9 resulted from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. He also informed me that the locals refer to the old AN/FPS-24 tower as "The Monolith." It`s a landmark around there, and can be seen for miles.

	View from local community
	Another view from below
	Up the tower access road
	Evidence of Earthquake Damage
	GATR site
	Housing area
	MPS-14 tower
	Operations building
	View from the mountain as seen from the base of the former AN/FPS-90 height-finder radar tower

1996 photo source: http://www.ginner.com/index.php?title=Archive+Image&file=232.hires&dir=archives