Will Thrall standing on a rock by the edge of a mountain, ca.1930

Photograph of Will Thrall, ca.1930. Mr. Thrall can be seen standing on a rock by the edge of a mountain. He seems to have a triumphant expression on his face while looking away from the viewer. He is dressed in a buttoned shirt and a plain jacket over trousers, while holding a hat in one hand. The site is surrounded by rocks and, to his right, what seems to be a pine tree is visible next to him. Further uphill, in the right, patches of snow are observable. A panoramic view of snow-capped mountains fills in the backdrop. "Will Thrall embraced the San Gabriel Mountains from the time of his arrival in the 1880s until his death in the 1960s. Thrall documented the tent camps of the Great Hiking Age, worked on the Mount Lowe railroad, organized hiking clubs, and promoted conservation of mountain resources. Thrall also edited "Trails Magazine" and authored a weekly column for the "Los Angeles Times". He photographed historic mountain cabins, identified geologic formations, and discovered lost pioneer routes and Indian Trails. Thrall's life is a study in southern California itself--and the lasting traditions that form the mountain backdrop to the valley below" -- unknown author.