Not too many years ago Southern California possessed, within a few hours drive of L.A., three high wilderness areas, places where one could see, feel, and breathe the air of the beautiful pristine high country. This was before the land "developers" took over.
First to go was Old Baldy. The ski lifts to Baldy Notch and above on the once heavily forested slopes of Thunder Mountain took away forever the primeval wilderness of this roof-land of the San Gabriels.
San Jacinto succumbed next, although not without a long struggle in which the Sierra Club was intimately involved. The aerial tramway, supposedly one of the engineering wonders of the 20th century, is presently ripping up the precipitous north slopes of the San Jack Massif, destroying forever the pristine condition of this most spectacular of Southern California's mountain blocks.
Today only the primitive San Gorgonio wild Area, rooftop of the Southland, remains unspoiled.
Now this too is threatened. The north face of Grayback, as Mt. San Gorgonio is known to those intimately acquainted with it, contains several superb ski bowls. With this in mind, coupled with the enticing prospect of financial reward, certain businessmen have proposed the construction of a large network of ski lifts, complete with paved roads, restaurants, lodgings, and the other entrappings of civilization that invariably follow commercial development.
If they succeed the last remaining high country in Southern California will join the ranks of the fast growing "suburbia mountaina", and Southlanders will have to travel hundreds of miles to enjoy what was once at their doorstep.
Fortunately, something can still be done to prevent this tragic despoliation. Recently organized are the "Defenders of San Gorgonio Wilderness", a group formed by interested conservationists primarily to inform the public of this threat to Grayback. Those of you willing to help preserve this last wilderness high country are urged to join and actively support the organization. There are no dues, but contributions are welcomed, write to P.O~. Box 777, San Bernardino, California.
Remember, what we save now is all that will ever be saved.
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THE D.P.S NEWSLETTER Published bi-monthly (October thru June) by the Desert Peaks Section, Angeles Chapter, Sierra ClubEditor: John W. Robinson, 418 E. 20th St., Costa Mesa, California Subscriptions: (Necessary for DPS membership) Send one dollar to Robert Greenawalt, Sec,-Treas DPS, 2643 N. Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead, California |
LATE BULLETINS as we go to press
Another member welcomed: BILL CLIFTON, former active member 1947-1955, has rejoined the section. Address is 8431b Chestnut Ave., South Gate, California.
Leader BOB GREENAWALT reports that one bus for the GRAND CANYON TRAVERSE is already filled, and a good start has been made on filling a second one. Better get that reservation into Bob pronto!
