Tanked Up

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY THREE

Rain is rare in the desert and water sources were important to the Cahuilla Indians. Trails criss cross the desert between springs and other various watering holes. If there's a spot where water is available you can bet the Indians knew about it. Not only would it be used for water but they could stake out an area in order to hunt animals coming for water.

Today I went out to a spot just off the Morrow Trail to see if any water might remain after our rains on Monday. I had some camera issues--cameras don't like me--so I don't have a full assortment of pictures but I do have some. I've done most of this hike before anyway so it shouldn't matter.

I start out at the top of the cove in La Quinta and head out to the trail that goes over to Lake Cahuilla.

The ground out here is still wet so I think there's a good chance I might find some water.

I hike the trail and then head cross country near its highest point. I find a section that's in a steep canyon and some precious water.

There are two holes that hold water. This is the other one.

The surprising thing is that this huge hole doesn't have any water.

The canyon ends at this dry waterfall that I'm sure was running nicely on Monday. I'll have to remember this next time it rains.

Cougar Sighting

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO

After the snow yesterday, the mountains were spectacular, majestic, awe-inspiring. I had to get to a spot today to where I could possibly get some pictures of them. There was only one problem: I didn't have much time. 1000 Palms area was out, too far away; likewise, Palm Springs. South Palm Desert wouldn't give me any views of the mountains nor would La Quinta. That left only one option: the notorious Bump and Grind Trail. It's boring but reliable.

I'm always amazed by the popularity of this trail but I have to say that there are times that it may be the best option around. Maybe 1% of the time, I'd say.

The rain did a little damage to the trail where they widened it unnecessarily earlier this year. That sure was a waste of money.

There is a significant amount of snow on all the surrounding mountains with the snow level down to around 4000 feet.

Other than the snow capped mountains, the one thing I notice on this trail--and I've noticed it before--is that the vast majority of hikers on this trail are middle aged women, cougars. If I were a younger guy looking for the ladies, this is were I'd be.

I don't know why this is the place they come to but they're here. Bump and Grind is such a lame name for a trail; the Cougar Trail I think sounds better and is more fitting. For most hikers, this is the only chance they'll ever get to see a cougar in the wild.

Palm Spring Aerial Tram Snow Day

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE

I work with a bunch of guys from Minnesota and they don't get the excitement Californians feel about going to the snow. They never want to see snow again. I, though, grew up less than five miles from the beach so snow is still holds a certain novelty to me. Whenever snow falls in the local mountains, I'm there.

The Tram really needs to get some ice scrapers for their cars. It's really tough to see out but I get the impression that there's plenty of snow today.

Getting out at the upper station I find that no one has decided to go out and test the elements. Do they know something that perhaps I don't?

As I make my way down the ramp, the snow is coming down hard and the wind is howling.

I don't have enough time to go too far so I just take a hike around Long Valley. The interpretive signs aren't going to do me much good today, though.

Crossing the stream won't be much of a problem but it's tough to follow the trail. I keep tripping on logs and rocks buried under the snow.

I think about heading over to the Desert View Trail but there's no point. Visibility is a couple hundred yards at most.

I make my way around to where on a normal day there would be a view of the desert below; that's not possible today. I decide to make my way back to the Tram because it's cold, with the wind chill it's about 0º.

I get about halfway up the ramp and am passed by a Bobcat coming down to clear the snow. Thanks for deciding to do that when I'm done.

Out of the wind it's a balmy 24º. I almost feel like taking my shirt off.

All the decorations are up and with the snow it really feels like the holidays. There's no need to dream of a White Christmas. Just head up to the Tram.

Cross Wind

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY

The calendar still says Autumn but the weather outside says Winter. It's cold here in the desert; the high temperature here today was 67º.

As I started up the trail to the Palm Desert Cross a hiker coming down asked me if I liked wind. It was really blowing up top.

A storm is starting to blow in and we've got with some big puffy clouds.

There's a shrine builder on the loose in Palm Desert. They've built a bunch of these little things on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail and now they've started here. Someone has just a bit too much time on their hands.

The sky is cloudy to the west but there's just enough light coming through to make the cross glow.

The wind won't be a problem for the cross with its ample guylines.

I'm looking forward to a little rain here in the desert. There's nothing better than the desert in bloom after a good winter of rain.

Los Rios Rancho at Oak Glen Preserve

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE

I had to drive down to Ontario to pick up my mother at the airport so I figured I'd find some place to hike along the way. I don't really know any place to hike in the Ontario area but I when I was at the Mission Creek Preserve I read that they have a preserve in Oak Glen so this would give me an opportunity to check it out.

This preserve is like no other that I've ever seen. In fact, it's an old apple ranch and I drove right past it. There's a restaurant, a pie shop and a gift shop right at the trailhead. The BBQ smelled incredible but I was on a tight time schedule so I wasn't able to enjoy it this time.

There is a large very well used trail that heads out toward the apple orchard. I'm glad I brought a down vest with me today. The temperature when I start out is 44º.

There's a good reason for this to be a wide and well traveled trail. Every year thousands of kids come here for a taste of the outdoors. It is a wonderful spot to bring the family.

This is the first time I've ever hiked in an apple orchard although I hope it will not be the last.

There are numerous little signs with quotes: Muir, Thoreau, Emerson, Shakespeare. It's a regular outdoor classroom.

There's a little side trail called the California Tree Trail (or something like that).

All along the trail are signs identifying different trees.

The trees are all big.

There's a nice little pond; actually, there are two ponds but this one's the nicer of the two.

Despite the chilly fall weather, there are plenty of families out for a little Saturday afternoon stroll in the woods.

Toward the end of the path, there's a nice boardwalk that goes through some berry bushes.

There are more signs showing all the various plants and trees along the path.

Earlier in the fall, you can actually go out into the orchard and pick apples but I'm here just a bit too late in the year for that. I'll remember next year to bring the wife and kids because I know they'd love this place.

The Oak Glen Preserve is a wonderful little spot that's less than an hour away from the Palm Springs area and is a nice outing for the entire family. It's free but you're welcome to donate. I'm looking forward to coming back when I have a little more time. Plus, in the future, they plan to have a trail with a 3700 foot gain up to Wilshire Peak. Now that'll really give me something to look forward to.