Mountain View News May 2, 2026 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods” “ForagingCalifornia,”and other books. He can be reached at Box 41834,
Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

TRACKER JIM LOWERY, R.I.P. 

In mid-April of this year, 2026, the wildlife tracking 
world lost a great: Jim Lowery passed away. He was 78 
years old. 

When I first became aware of the world of tracking 

– tracking animals and people --mostly through the 
writings of Tom Brown Jr., I met Jim Lowery who was 
widely regarded as one of the best trackers of the West. 
When Westways magazine hired me to write a review 
of Jim Lowery, I was treated to a private tracking class 
not far from his home. He read the animal tracks in 
the soil as a normal person would read a newspaper. 
He told me what animals walked there, and when they 
turned, or sped up, and he had an almost psychic sense 
of what the animal was doing and why.

 Later, Jim would teach at the weeklong Dirttime 
events that I conducted in the local mountains with 
Dude McLean and Alan Halcon. Jim would set off a 
dedicated zone where no one was to walk, and we came back in a day to interpret all the tracks that 
appeared in the soil. Jim could handle a large class of student trackers who were all working hard to 
interpret the soil.

 Over the years, I would run-into Jim at various wilderness locations, teaching a class, often with his 
“sand box” that he created to create and study tracks.

 Jim was exceptionally knowledgeable about all aspects of the subject of tracking. Plus, he was a good 
teacher, friendly, and interested in the student’s progress. 

I will miss him. 

I asked Rob Remedi to say a few words about Jim Lowery. Rob was a protégé of Jim Lowery, and 
always mentioned Jim in his own classes. 

FROM ROB: 

“I had the great fortune to partake in Jim’s classes. It is he whom I owe my tracking abilities, and 
frankly, who led me to further hone my skills and teaching. He was first my teacher; me, a neophyte 
to the art of tracking, and eventually he became a colleague and a valued friend. I even had the privilege 
to teach alongside him. 

Jim took classes from Tom Brown back in the 1980’s. Serious about sharing these ancient arts, Jim 
started Earth Skills in Southern California and began teaching tracking and wilderness skills. 

Jim was a master specifically in tracking, knowing exactly what he taught. Once, I housesat while he 
was away, and I saw a six-tiered bookshelf stocked with his personal tracking notebooks. Perusing 
through those notebooks, they were full of footprint measurements, gaits and patterns, and details 
and observations of the animals he crossed paths with. I knew he was a treasure worth learning from. 

Yet, he did not teach with an air of superiority. It was a kindness; a gentle, calm, personable presence 
that made me (and everyone else) want to take his classes just to “hang out” and soak up his vast 
knowledge. In addition, his teaching was totally hands-on, inviting you to get down in the dirt, where 
he welcomed feedback, opinions, and interpretations with validity. 

There are too many stories and experiences to share here, but they all remain in my heart. Still, I wish 
everyone could have met this incredible man. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Brooks, who assisted him in his classes and is an accomplished 
tracker in her own right. 

Words of wisdom: when you get the “inkling” to call someone, do it before it’s too late. I miss you, 
Jim. – Rob Remedi” 


SET YOUR HEART 
ON SMUDGE! 

Wearing his heart 

on his nose instead of 

his sleeve, this sweet 

boy was rescued after 

he was abandoned by

his family. So broken


hearted, but his love for 
people did not waiver. Smudge is the kind of gentleman 
who always checks on you. He wants to be around you 
and share the couch cushion or sleep at your feet and 
protect your slumber. At age 5, sometimes he still wants 
to play like a kitten and gets silly little spurts of energy! 


Smudge is grateful for any ounce of love you want to give to him and will lean into 
chin scratchies anytime of day. He's got a great appetite and is not picky about his 
treats. Smudge does okay with other cats but wants to be around people above all. He 
is FIV+ which means he will do fine as long as his health is monitored. 


He would be the perfect fit for humans wanting a little 

loyal companion with tons of unconditional love to give—

cross our hearts! 

Born 2022. 

To apply to meet him, just go directly to Smudge's web


site page at 

https://www.lifelineforpets.org/smudge.html or use the 

qr code. 

Pet of the Week 

Meet Bleu, a 7-year-young gentleman with aheart as big as his love for snacks, especiallyhot dogs and cheese. This lab/pittie mix atPasadena Humane is all about the simple joys:
slow strolls, thorough sniff inspections, andsoaking up every pet he can get. He also lovesto happily try to sit in your lap like he’s still a 
puppy. 

Bleu is calm and easygoing, keeping his coolaround the shelter and busy surroundings,
and nothing seems to ruffle his relaxed vibe.
He walks politely on leash, has wonderfulmanners, and shows all the signs of beinga “treat enthusiast” who isn’t picky aboutrewards. More than anything, Bleu is lookingfor a cozy spot, a kind human, and plenty ofaffection. 
And there’s no better time to adopt — startingthis week, adoption fees are discounted at Pasadena Humane as a part of the Price isRight adoption promotion. 


The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip,
and age-appropriate vaccines. Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.New adopterswill receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals,
as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.Pets maynot be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone callsor email. 

LAST EATON FIRE SHELTER ANIMAL ADOPTED

 The last animal taken in by Pasadena Humane following the Eaton Fire was in a new 
home today after being adopted, marking a milestone in the shelter's recovery efforts.

 The dog, a German Shepherd named Artemis, had originally been brought to the 
shelter for emergency boarding after his family lost their home in the fire, officials 
said. Although they had hoped to reunite with him, they ultimately surrendered the 
animal due to long-term impacts from the disaster.

 ``Today, we're celebrating something truly meaningful: every animal who came 
into our care during the Eaton Fire is now home,'' shelter officials said in a statement.

 Some animals were returned to their original families, while others were adopted 
into new homes, reflecting what officials described as resilience and recovery in the 
aftermath of the fire.

 Pasadena Humane cared for more than 1,500 pets and wildlife during and after the 
fire, providing shelter, medical treatment and emergency support, while also working 
to reunite animals with their owners.

 The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, killed 19 people and destroyed 
nearly 7,000 homes and businesses. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com