Proposed Protection for the Frontcountry in California

We all dream of the far away trips, but for most of us, the everyday chance to get outside often matters more. Frontcountry areas, which offer close-to-home natural settings and outdoor experiences, are vital for these day to day activities, and are often under protected.

Just a 90 minute drive from 15 million people, the San Gabriel Mountains above Los Angles are a prime example of a frontcountry area. They are an important setting for many communities to experience the outdoors, some of them historically underserved when it comes to outdoor recreation. In order to protect all that this frontcountry area offers, we support the designation of the San Gabriels as a National Monument.

The San Gabriels offer the full range of human powered outdoor recreation experiences. Mountain bikers enjoy about 800 miles of trails, including local favorites like Brown Mountain and El Prieto. With the right conditions, there is a long list of treasured whitewater runs. The area features world class climbing, primarily on Williamson Rock, though it is currently closed. Those seeking winter adventures can pick from several snowy peaks above 9000’. Even hang gliding and paragliding opportunities are exceptional in the San Gabriels, and played a formative role in the development of those sports. 

For more on our support of a National Monument that recognizes and enhances the full range of outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, read our letter here.