The first act of awe, 
when man was struck with the beauty 
or wonder of Nature, 
was the first spiritual experience. 
~ Henryk Skolimowski

We pause here to enjoy the woodland in the foreground, then lift our eyes to take in the mountain views. 

The runs of Snow Summit ski resort can be seen in the background on the right;  with its skiing and snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking in spring, summer, and fall, it is a prime example of the multiple and year-round use of the forest. 

The Mt.San Gorgonio Wilderness area can be seen in the far left background. At 11,499 feet above sea level, Mt. San Gorgonio is the tallest peak in Southern California and the only one below the Sierra Nevadas with a true timberline, i.e., the climate is so harsh and cold that no trees on the top 50 feet of the peak. Only foot and equestrian traffic is permitted, as the mountain is a designated (and thus protected) wilderness area.

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I  Big Bear Lake