Updated 11/15/08.
Located in Angeles National Forest, Williamson Rock is an area of exceptional scenic and recreational value. Because of its proximity to Los Angeles, variety of climbing routes, scenic beauty, and moderate summertime temperatures, it is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in Southern California.
In December 2005, in order to protect critical habitat of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the Forest Service “temporarily” closed approximately 1,000 acres in the upper Little Rock Creek drainage in the San Gabriel Mountains. The closed area includes Williamson Rock, and the Pacific Crest Trail between Eagle's Roost and the Burkhart Trail.
It has been nearly three years since the "temporary" closure of Williamson Rock. The climbing community has continued to respect the closure, but believes alternatives to total closure, such as the re-routing of trails, seasonal closures, and climber education, needs to be investigated.
The efforts and cooperation of the climbing community are being coordinated by the Friends of Williamson Rock, an affiliate of the Access Fund, a national, non-profit climbers' organization dedicated to preserving the natural resources used by climbers, and climbers' access to those resources.
In May 2007 the Forest Service issued a press release and scoping letter proposing an access trail and initiating an environmental analysis, but the USFS has failed to follow through and obtain funding for the EA. Recently, Angeles National Forest indicated that, once again, it will not have the funds to begin the environmental analysis in its 2008 fiscal year.
A total closure of such a valued public resource is unacceptable, and a three-year "temporary" closure is too long! Angeles National Forest has been unresponsive and has failed to appropriately address the closure of public lands at Williamson.
For more information, see the Friends of Williamson Rock blog.
The photograph of Williamson Rock was taken on the PCT while doing the run Pleasant View Ridge on July 2, 2006.
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