Pacific Coast Trail Notes From 1930s Lost in Burglary

A book containing the notes of explorer Warren Lee Rogers from his first trek along the 2,600-mile Pacific Coast National Scenic Trail in the 1930s was stolen Saturday, Rogers’ son said Sunday.

Donald Lee Rogers, 47, of Santa Ana is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who helps find the book, which was taken along with other valuables when his Poplar Street home was broken into and ransacked.

Rogers said the “irreplaceable” book was kept in a fireproof box under a bed. He is concerned that the book, compiled by his father, the co-founder of the trail, won’t be recognized as important by the thieves and will be discarded.

“They probably thought it had money or valuables in it, and when they open it, all they’ll find is this dumb book,” Rogers said. “But it just so happens this is a one-of-its-kind historical artifact.”

Rogers said the book was to be taken to the Huntington Library in San Marino to be kept in its archives.

Warren Rogers and fellow explorer Clinton C. Clark compiled the book during the summers of 1935-38 as they and other explorers hiked the trail for the YMCA and the National Forest Service. Warren Rogers, who also lived in Santa Ana, died in 1992.

Each summer about 200,000 people hike portions of the trail, which extends from Mexico to Canada, Donald Rogers said.

“I know they took the book by mistake,” said Rogers, a Santa Ana native and computer programmer. “If somehow it gets back to me, I don’t really care who took it. Just don’t throw it away or tear it up.” Anyone with information about the book can call Rogers at (714) 751-1003.