57 years ago, the 38,000 acres just north of camp was considered for inclusion in the original Wilderness Act of 1964.  It didn’t happen then, but after much work and advocacy over the years, it is looking very likely that the Pattison Roadless Area will receive official Wilderness designation soon.  Places like The Gap, Corral Creek and Gates Mountain will now be protected forever for future generations of campers to hike, swim and camp.

Our Congressman, Jared Huffman, has been instrumental in advancing legislation that will protect millions of acres in Northern California.  Wilderness designation for Pattison Peak is included in his Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act.  In turn, that legislation has now been attached to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  Definitely a case in which the “laws are like sausages, if you like them, it’s better not to watch them being made” quote applies.  In the end, it will all be worth it when the beautiful places we know and love will remain “with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable,” while having “…outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation.” (The Wilderness Act, Sept. 3, 1964)