In Memoriam: James Gilmore Mills, 1926-2017

Since the age of 11, Jim Mills enjoyed outdoor adventures in Santa Barbara’s backcountry, later helping to establish the San Rafael Wilderness, the Dick Smith Wilderness, and Channel Islands National Park.

By Indy Staff December 7, 2017

4 min read

In Memoriam: James Gilmore Mills, 1926-2017 — Jim Mills helped preserve Santa Barbara’s backcountry wilderness for many, including his grandson Lance Hoffman, who recalled that “Grandad propped the camera up on a walking stick and set the timer” to take this photo at Cachuma Saddle, Little Pine Mountain, around 1990.

Wilderness is often defined by its most noble landmarks — its peaks, valleys, rivers, and canyons. But sometimes these places also embody the people who explore and protect them.

My friend and hero, Jim Mills, was one of those people. And Santa Barbara’s backcountry was his place.

Jim’s childhood was marked with countless adventures in the outdoors. Starting around age 11, Jim would spend entire weekends exploring the backcountry. Back then, the area was known as the Santa Barbara National Forest, and it beckoned to him.