THE MAJESTIC San Gabriel Mountains, Pomona College’s ever-present backdrop, are now a national monument encompassing 350,000 acres of scenic, rugged terrain. President Barack Obama visited nearby Bonelli Regional Park in October to sign the proclamation, saying, “We are blessed to have the most beautiful landscapes in the world.” For Pomona students, the nearby mountains have always been a favorite spot for recreation, but they also serve as a key site for field trips and student research in geology and other fields. The College’s shared one-meter telescope at Table Mountain Observatory is located high in the mountains near the resort town of Wrightwood.