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Podcasts Take Two
Congresswoman wants Angeles National Forest part of new recreation area
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Sep 18, 2013
Listen • 5:04
Congresswoman wants Angeles National Forest part of new recreation area
A U.S. Parks Service study recommended not including the forest and San Gabriel Mountains, but Chu pledges to write a law to include the vast area.
Deb Burgess and her pack of donkeys trek nine miles to deliver supplies on September 5th, 2013.
Deb Burgess and her pack of donkeys trek nine miles to deliver supplies on September 5th, 2013.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
David Nickoloff, a packer who helps Deb Burgess, brings propane and soap to a cabin owner in the Angeles National Forest.
David Nickoloff, a packer who helps Deb Burgess, brings propane and soap to a cabin owner in the Angeles National Forest.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
David Nickoloff, a packer who helps Deb Burgess, leads a donkey to a cabin in the Angeles National Forest.
David Nickoloff, a packer who helps Deb Burgess, leads a donkey to a cabin in the Angeles National Forest.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Deb Burgess brings supplies to a historic cabin in the Angeles National Forest on September 5th, 2013.
Deb Burgess brings supplies to a historic cabin in the Angeles National Forest on September 5th, 2013.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Deb Burgess unloads a propane tank at a cabin in the Angeles National Forest.
Deb Burgess unloads a propane tank at a cabin in the Angeles National Forest.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Deb Burgess leads her pack of donkeys and one mule down from Chantry Flat in the Angeles National Forest. The entire packing trip takes about eight hours. The area is part of what might be included in the San Gabriel National Recreation Area.
Deb Burgess leads her pack of donkeys and one mule down from Chantry Flat in the Angeles National Forest. The entire packing trip takes about eight hours.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Owners of the 80 historic cabins in the Angeles National Forest area rely on Deb Burgess and her donkey pack to bring up supplies such as propane, generators and food.
Owners of the 80 historic cabins in the Angeles National Forest area rely on Deb Burgess and her donkey pack to bring up supplies such as propane, generators and food.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Deb Burgess brings supplies to the historic cabins in the Angeles National Forest once a week. To stay financially afloat, Burgess still works another job.
Deb Burgess brings supplies to the historic cabins in the Angeles National Forest once a week. To stay financially afloat, Burgess still works another job.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Sam McAdam, the manager of the Adam's Pack Station, sweeps the steps of the store located in Chantry Flat. Deb Burgess bought the pack store in 2006.
Sam McAdam, the manager of the Adam's Pack Station, sweeps the steps of the store located in Chantry Flat. Deb Burgess bought the pack store in 2006.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Andy and Eeyore, two pack donkeys, wait to get supplies loaded onto their backs on September 5th, 2013.
Andy and Eeyore, two pack donkeys, wait to get supplies loaded onto their backs on September 5th, 2013.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
Deb Burgess prepares Andy, a pack donkey, to take supplies into the Angeles National Forest.
Deb Burgess prepares Andy, a pack donkey, to take supplies into the Angeles National Forest.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)

A U.S. Parks Service study recommended not including the forest and San Gabriel Mountains, but Chu pledges to write a law to include the vast area.

The rugged San Gabriel Mountains are heavily used by millions of residents who live within easy driving distance. The U.S. Forest Service, which oversees the Angeles National Forest, has little money to add rangers, to make trails safer or clean up graffiti.

A local politician hopes to improve the area by making it part of a National Recreation Area. KPCC political reporter Sharon McNary has the story.