Month: June 2024

FRVC President passes away

It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that I share with you all that Dave Baumgartner has passed away.  He had been battling cancer since December 2021.  His goal was to stay as active in our forests as long as possible, which he did without complaining.  Dave was trail building in April and was out on patrols in May!  He lost his battle on June 1.

Dave had a wonderful life that he lived to the fullest, filling it with adventures and good people!  He spent every day possible volunteering, working or recreating in the Angeles and San Bernardino mountains these past 13-14 years.  He never tired of exploring our mountains, being on patrol with fellow volunteers, or telling his stories and sharing Dave’s Fun Facts! 

He appreciated all of our FRVC volunteers!  Whether you were regulars on his patrols, worked with him occasionally in the field, at an event or on administrative items, were trained by him or didn’t have the opportunity to meet him, he knew that you all are the life of FRVC. 

Dave’s request is that we all work together keep FRVC growing strong.  I did promise Dave that I’d remain active in FRVC to not only continue to do the things I loved in our organization, but also to honor him and the work he has put into FRVC.   

The Forest Service has offered to hold a Celebration of Life later this year.  I will provide details when we have a firm plan. In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity or add a photo or memory >>to Dave’s History.

Thank you all for your support! 

Jane Baumgartner

An actual Santa Ana Sucker!

The source makes a difference

This is where the forks flow into the main San Gabriel River, behind the earthen San Gabriel Dam, which is currently dry. Note the difference in color between the East Fork, on the left, that flows from Mount Baldy, at 10 ,000 feet, and the West Fork that flows from Cogswell Dam. (Credit: Jim Burns)

Bummer, dude, Chantry to remain closed till later summer

Local high school students Tommy, left, and Charles fly fish for the first time in Santa Anita Canyon in 2011. ( Credit Jim Burns).

From the Forest Service:

Big Santa Anita Canyon (which includes the Chantry Flats Picnic Area) adjacent to Sierra Madre/Arcadia remains temporarily closed until mid- to late-summer.


More work is being done to repair roads and resurface the picnic area parking lot after the Bobcat Fire and subsequent flooding. In addition, volunteers have been working hard on trail repairs. 

It can take three to five-plus years or more for an area to recover from a wildfire, especially with excessive post-fire flooding. When plants’ root systems are burned out, there is little to nothing to hold soil in place until more regrowth.

Get out there!

If you’ve ever thought, “I should give stream fishing a try locally,” now’s the time to do it. After back-to-back water years, our canyons await, with more trout than we’ve had in years. (Jim Burns)

TU celebrates 10 years of teaching kids to fish on the LA

LIKE FATHER, like son, Saturday at the park, learning to fish. (Jim Burns)