If you’re a hiker in Southern California, chances are you’ve spent some time in the San Gabriel Mountains – in either the Angeles National Forest or what is now the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably developed a close connection with those mountains and have lots of trails and campsites that you consider extremely special – maybe even vital. Well, we want to hear about it – and you could win some gear and other goodies!

We are excited to partner with the National Forest Foundation for their San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Blog Contest.

They’re asking you to write a post on your blog or web site (750 words or less, containing 3-5 photos), then tagging that post with the tags “National Forest Foundation” and “San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.” Alternatively, you can also email them a link to your blog entry with the subject line CA Blog Contest. They’re specifically looking for stories that feature ways to experience the Monument and / or exploring the connection between the diverse (and often under-served) communities of Southern California and the Monument.

FIRST PRIZE

• Your entry is published in the National Forest Foundation’s Your National Forests magazine
• Your entry is also published right here on Modern Hiker!
• An REI Half Dome 2 Tent and footprint
• 2 free tickets to Mount Baldy

SECOND PRIZE

• Publication in Your National Forests magazine
• An REI evrgrn Crash Sack
• 2 free tickets to Mount Baldy

THIRD PRIZE

• REI Flash 22 Pack
• 2 free tickets to Mount Baldy

In addition, everyone who enters the contest will receive a one-year membership to the National Forest Foundation and one random entrant will receive an “America the Beautiful” pass, which gets you free access to all federal lands for a full year.

The deadline for entry is Friday, October 16th. Employees of the National Forest Foundation will judge the contest and you can read the full rules here . Good luck!