Sixth, we take the girls backpacking in order to introduce them to a sport which can be a major recreational activity for them during most of their adult lives. And this brings us to the point which I wish to stress most strongly.

The highest possible use for the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area is, indeed, for family recreation, but the type of recreation for which it is uniquely suited is hiking and wilderness camping. The other mountains in southern California are liberally sprinkled with cabins and resorts for those who wish to take their children up for a picnic or a day in the snow. But San Gorgonio is the only untouched area remaining for those who wish to take their children wilderness camping during the dry seasons. It is essential that we preserve the Dry Lake Basin for this purpose because Slushy Meadow and Dollar Lake are overused. Dry Lake will be the hub of a series of trails now staked out by the Forest Service, not only to North Fork Meadow and up the southeast shoulder of Gorgonio but also to the Fish Creek Canyon. The State of California is planning to develop family recreation and picnic areas in the Heart Bar and Fish Creek regions. So, when all these developments are completed, San Bernardino County will have the finest network of trails this side of the High Sierra. However, a road and a parking lot at Dry Lake right in the center of this network would destroy the esthetic and ecological values of the area. And, what would we have in exchange but another resort with really not very much to offer the person who can remain for only a day. The Dry Lake Basin is above 9,000 feet in elevation. Most persons who live near sea level cannot engage in strenuous_activity at that altitude without allowing days for acclimatization. Dry Lake is even higher than Mountain Station on the San Jacinto tram; yet, the man in charge of first aid there has found it necessary to administer oxygen to many persons who merely ride up the tram and do not even attempt to engage in any activity. Furthermore, it appears that there has been some exaggeration of the amount of snow available on Gorgonio.

For example, in November 1963, I accompanied some girls to above the 10,000-foot level on the northeast slope in the vicinity of the Big Draw. Even our lug soles didn't prevent us from slipping on the thin layer of ice which covered the ground in the shady areas under the trees. There was certainly no snow on the mountain. Yet that very day we read in the Los Angeles Times a long article decrying the fact that a handful of conservationists could deprive the local skiers of the opportunity to use the fresh powder which they said was at that time decorating the very area in which we had hiked. Let's face it: San Gorgonio is not Mammoth.

It is true that a large proportion of the local hikers are members of the youth character-building organizations. But these youngsters are acquiring skills and mountain manners which they can use at many other times and places. In all the families whom we have encountered in the back country, there has been at least one member who was introduced to the sport through one of the youth groups. So it was in our family. My husband accompanied our son's Scout troop on their expeditions to Mount San Gorgonio; so our daughter and the teenagers in our Camp Fire Girls group talked me into making a similar climb. Thus, at the age of 43, I became a backpacker, and I

shall always be grateful to the girls for opening this new world to

me.

Hiking is really the only sport in which I can participate, because of an attack of polio in 1949 which left my shoulders too weak for any activity which requires arm motion. It has been said that only the strong and youthful are able to enjoy the wilderness area, but it was on these trails that I regained the use of my legs. Similarly, my husband is barred by arthritis from any sport which requires the hands to grip an object. Our family vacations during the past 6 years have all involved backpacking trips in San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, the High Sierra, the North Cascades, and the Tetons. Since our son and daughter both attend college during the school year and work during the summer, the only family recreational activity which we have shared during the past year was a backpack trek in the shadow of the Grand Teton.

There just aren't too many activities which teenagers enjoy sharing with their parents, but hiking can be one of them. Wherever we have traveled, we have met families who have maintained their solidarity through this activity. There was, for example, one family with four youngsters ranging from 4 to 16. The first grader was a short little fellow, but he was walking 10 feet tall because he was carrying a pack the same size as those worn by his big brother. His mother confided that it was stuffed with popcorn and potato chips. Then, last summer after hiking all afternoon in the rain, some of our teenage Camp Fire Girls and I reached our destination as darkness was falling.

We were resigned to munching a cold supper because there was no dry wood in the area. But we had scarcely begun to string our tubetents when a young couple camped nearby with four boys came over to give us enough dry wood to cook dinner. On another occasion when some of our seniors became altitude sick on a climb up Mount Whitney, a family of backpackers not only carried their packs but also started a fire for them. It is interesting to note that the seniors who have taken our annual High Sierra treks have all exclaimed about the glorious scenery-true; but they have been even impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness and the integrity of the families whom they have met. Where else in this State could you leave your camera and wallet in your campsite and know that they will still be there when you return? High school students appear to develop a touch of cynicism about the adult world, but those who take the high country hikes return with their faith in human nature restored.

The experience which to be best illustrates the ideal of family recreation took place three Septembers ago in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. We hiked past Slushy Meadow and Dollar Lake because they were much too crowded and had proceeded to High Meadow Spring. This is a tiny campsite at the 10,400-foot level with a pocketsize meadow and no level ground so that I felt like tying my sleeping bag to the tree to prevent my rolling down the mountain into Forest Home. Five families were represented there that night, and we shared the single firepit. There was a 5-year-old boy and a 55-year-old grandmother, with assorted teenagers and adults in between. Their homes range from San Diego to Santa Barbara. All had come to San Gorgonio in search of the unique experience which only this mountain can still provide.

So you see that families from all over southern California recognize that the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area in its present state is already the finest site for the most wholesome kind of family recreation.

When you stand high on the mountain, you can look out over the brownish-gray pall which is smothering the coastal plain. Then as you direct your gaze northward toward Big Bear, you are alarmed to see that the smog is beginning to fill the valley of the Santa Ana River up to the 5,000- or even the 6,000-foot level. Gentlemen, please preserve this one small sanctuary safe from cars so that our children will know the experience of viewing clear blue skies and stars.

I would like also to include for the file two letters; one from Carolyn Martin dated November 15, 1965; and the other from Miss Prudence Bickel, camp director of the Long Beach Council of Camp Fire Girls; and Mrs. Joan A. Finn, executive director of the same organization, the letter dated November 15, 1965.

Thank you.

Mr. BARING. Without objection, the letters will be made a part of the file.

Now, Mr. Samuel S. Sewall.

STATEMENT OF SAMUEL S. SEWALL, STOCKBROKER; CITRUS

RANCHER; PRESIDENT, REDLANDS DAY NURSERY

Mr. SEWALL. The wilderness idea is not commercial development along even conservative and constructive lines, but absolute preservation in a state of nature. The sound of one automobile horn changes its character.

This particular area is irreplaceable. The highest peak to which one may climb by his own efforts is San Gorgonio-no other is the same. It is through its surrounding wilderness that the greatest number of people will experience what words cannot convey.

We have it now as it should be. Set aside by great foresight. The smallest inroad of civilization makes it less. Who are we here today, who would take away this priceless heritage from the future which will so desperately need its inspiration?

Then, as now, we shall need men to match our mountains-and we do not mean in a chair lift.

THE SYMBOLISM OF SAN GORGONIO

Man cannot live by bread alone. Human beings have risen from their animalistic beginnings because of their unique ability to use symbols.

Symbols represent things; but, more important to human progress, symbols also represent abstract ideas, such as principles and ideals-the cross, and our flag, for example.

Symbols are used to inspire us. Mountains are commonly used to represent our noblest thoughts and ambitions: "Lift up thine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh thy strength." In our area, San Gorgonio peak represents the highest point to which one may climb by his own efforts. The area surrounding it symbolizes the long, hard, often lonely effort required of those who would strive for "the top."

There is a message here, in this unspoiled vestige of our earliest beginnings, that tells us how far we have come, how far yet we have to go; it points out to us the beauty that is on this earth, if we don't destroy it: beauty, in the creation of which man had no part. The wilderness challenges us to greater personal strength, courage, and resourcefulness, but also makes it clear that cooperation with our fellow man certainly will make the journey easier.

The wilderness idea is not commercial development along even conservative and constructive lines, but absolute preservation in a state of nature. One automobile horn breaks the spell of this great symphony; one light of civilization recalls us from this other world; the smells and sights and sounds and structures of man's seekings for physical comforts and immediate personal gratification destroy the symbolism of these places.

This particular area is irreplaceable. The highest peak is San Gorgonio-no other is the same. It is through its surrounding wilderness that the greatest number of people will experience what words cannot convey. We have it now-set aside by great foresight-as it should be. The smallest inroad of civilization makes it less. Who are we, here today, who should take away this priceless heritage from the future which will so desperately need its inspiration? Then, as now, we shall need men to match our mountains *** and we do not mean, in a chair lift.

Thank you.

Mr. BARING. Thank you, sir.

Now, does Redlands Fish & Game Conservation Department have a representative?

Apparently they do not have.

Our next speaker will be Marjorie M. Hambly.

STATEMENT OF MARJORIE HAMBLY, TRAILS CHAIRMAN AND MEMBER OF THE TRAILS COMMITTEE FOR SAN BERNARDINO HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION, REGION 11, CALIFORNIA HORSEMEN'S ASSOCIATION, AND OTHERS

Mrs. HAMBLY. The following statement is in opposition to H.R. 6891 and its companion bills and was prepared and is being presented by myself, Marjorie Hambly, 979 Date Street, San Bernardino, on behalf of myself as an individual, as well as the following horsemen's organizations:

(1) San Bernardino Horsemen's Association, comprised of 35 families.

(2) Region 11, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, California State Horsemen's Association.

(3) The Morgan Horse Club of Southern California, 60 families. (4) The California State Horsemen's Association, comprised of 236 riding clubs throughout California.

Official action by each of the above groups is in opposition to any commercial-type of development within the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. I am either the chairman of or a member of the trails committees in each of these organizations, a trail-riding horsewoman in

this area for many years, and, with my husband, a homeowner and businessowner in San Bernardino City and County.

THE HORSEMEN OPPOSE ANY CHANGE IN SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA I am trails chairman or a member of the trails committee for the San Bernardino Horsemen's Association (35 families), Region 11 of California State Horsemen's Association (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), the Morgan Horse Club of Southern California (60 families), and the California State Horsemen's Association (236 separate riding clubs throughout California). Official position of each of these organizations is in opposition to any commercial-type of development within the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Personally, I am a trail rider in a dedicated sense, using this means of getting closer to nature in remote areas. My husband and I are homeowners and businessowners, as well as salaried workers, in the city and county of San Bernardino.

The groups for which I speak were stanch in their support of the national wilderness bill passed by Congress in 1964 for the specific purpose of preserving such wilderness areas as San Gorgonio. They were also active in opposition to the proposals to remove San Gorgonio or any portion of it from the protection of the wilderness bill before its decisive passage. The national wilderness bill provides a procedure for the declassification of any area, and H.R. 6891 and its companion bills ignore this fact. For this reason alone, we believe your committee should deny approval.

Since the bills open the matter of San Gorgonio Wilderness again for debate, however, we wish to submit our statement on behalf of the preservation of this unique, isolated Alpine area. As the population in southern California increases, so does the need for nearby unspoiled natural areas such as San Gorgonio, where adults and children can escape from all manmade contrivances and developments and renew their kinship with nature. The fact is, there are too few such arcas left in southern California, and San Gorgonio is the only one of its vne, and once despoiled, it can never be restored to its present state. H.R. 6891 describes the area proposed for development, and such area comprises the choicest parts of San Gorgonio, both with respect to natural grandeur and with respect to presently developed trails.

The economic impact of visiting downhill skiers has been advanced by the proponents as a valid reason for entering San Gorgonio with manmade contrivances and the roads to reach them. We horsemen believe that we contribute an "economic impact" within our own localities and we do not believe our needs and desires should be ignored. Aside from the natural beauties of San Gorgonio, we horsemen use the existing fine trails there and would urge the development of more trails for us as well as hikers, rather than spending money to build a road to a downhill ski development. And the cost would be far less. There has been no pleasure-riding horse census taken in California since 1959, when there were counted over 100,000 pleasure animals in the counties near San Gorgonio and over 300,000 in the State of California.

From all reports, there may have been as much as a 40-percent increase in pleasure horses since 1959. This count did not include breed