Buddy System

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY FOUR

After a number of hikes to new places, I did a little hike close to home this afternoon. I needed a rest. Also, Kahlua has been mad at me because I hadn't taken her in about a week so I had to go somewhere that I could take her along.

We went out to the top of the cove here in La Quinta. It's nice to be back home sometimes.

This is Kahlua's favorite part of the hike: freedom.

Nik also came with us.

We headed out on the trail above the Bear Creek Wash. The trail looks like it's been seeing more traffic. Nice weather will do that.

We take a route, though, that isn't as popular as Bear Creek. Also, there are none of those No Dogs Allowed signs where we go.

But Nik is made for climbing so we take off up this sandy hillside.

The youngster gets the early lead but the old man shows him he's still got it and beats him to the top.

Of course, I didn't stop halfway up and start sliding down, either. Maybe I should have.

We stop at the top to catch our breath and Nik leads the way down.

After we empty the sand out of our shoes, we have fun running down the sand. Nik says it's like skiing. Hmm. That's odd. He's never been but maybe this winter I'll have to take him. If he likes climbing, he's gonna love skiing. I will, too. It'll be nice having a chair lift take me to the top of a hill for a change.

Bear Necessities

Day Sixty Four

There are hundreds of places to hike in Southern California and sometimes it's tough to figure out where to go on a given day. On other days, the decision is practically made for me. It has to be close and it has to be doable in under two hours. Fortunately, I can do that right out my front door.

I decided on the Bear Creek Trail today. I have been back in this area a few times this year but haven't hit the trail yet. The trail climbs to a palm oasis on the side of Sheep Mountain but unfortunately I won't have time to do the whole trail today. Hopefully, I'll be able to do it before it gets too hot.

You wander out the wash at the top of the La Quinta Cove amongst the blooming Brittlebush and Chuparosa. If you want to go out and see flowers in the desert, I'd suggest you go now. Some things are past their peak while others are just coming out.

The Blue Palo Verde is in full bloom with its bright yellow flowers.

They don't want you coming here from July-Sept. because it's a Bighorn watering hole. July-Sept? No problem.

This is one of the many various canyons up here. Although I've hiked this trail many times before I don't remember it. I guess I was always focused on getting to the palms that I never really looked around much. Now this is another place to explore.

This is the deep cleft of Bear Creek Canyon. I have lived here over twenty years and have hiked here numerous times. I've seen Bighorn Sheep, Rattlesnakes, Deer, Lizards, Hawks, various rodents and other assorted wildlife. But never have I seen a Bear here. I just must be going the wrong time of day or something.

The view from the trail on the way down.

I have got to get myself a shirt like this. (click picture to zoom) I had no problem picking this hiker out from almost a mile away. This is how to never get lost. Although my wife said if I fall down again like I did last week she's going to get me a GPS dog collar and make me wear it. I think a bright shirt like this might be a good compromise, don't you?

No Experience Necessary

Day Forty Six

Experience is more than knowing where to go or what to do in certain situations, it is also about knowing where NOT to go and what NOT to do.

Today I decided to hike up toward Bear Creek to see how the wildflowers were coming along.  I was considering hiking to Bear Creek Palms but didn't have the time.  I didn't want to finish yet another hike in the dark so I decided to do a little exploring.  Not much yet to report on the flowers.

The Chuparosa are blooming quite nicely.

But the brittlebush, while not quite brittle, are not to the flowering stage yet.

I decide to take this trail up a ridge.

Only to be met with a canyon at the end that I have to cross.

I then find another trail on the other side.

But it ends here.

I traverse across another canyon and find this trail.

Which ends here.

I see this cairn that makes me think I've found something but no.  All is tells me is that some other dummy has also been up here.

I finally make it down to the last canyon and follow it over numerous dry waterfalls but never do quite make it anywhere.

I see this cave and wonder if anything is in it.  I consider the possibilities: mountain lion, rattlesnake den, angry bobcat, skunk.  I decide not to check it out.

On my way out of the canyon I come upon this palm tree.  It is obviously burnt.  I smell it and realize that it has recently been burnt.  While not still warn, the smell is of a fire in the past few days.

Here is another picture of the palm with another higher palm that was not burnt.  Maybe the pyromaniac tried to climb up to this higher palm but fell and broke his neck.  At least, that's what I'm hoping.

On the way out of the canyon I find yet another trail and follow it.  This trail actually leads me somewhere.  Home.

It's been an interesting day hiking.  I found a couple of palms, got some good exercise clambering over ridge after ridge, enjoyed climbing a bunch of dry waterfalls and got a LOT of experience.

Unfortunately,  I didn't make it out before dark.  Again.

A Bear of a Day

Day Twenty Four

It is said that some days are better than others; today was one of the others.

Saturday is one of the only days I get to sleep in so, naturally, my wife woke me up early.  When I finally got back to sleep, one of my kids runs in and yells, "Dad, it's 7:55!!".  He then quickly realizes that it's Saturday and he's not late for school.  So he leaves and then proceeds to start a fight with his brother.

I had such great plans: either we would go up to Joshua Tree and visit some more Indian rock art sites or we'd head down to Borrego Springs and then up to Julian for some Apple Pie. Neither plan was realized.  That theme would continue throughout my entire day.

I placed a support call to Apple to get a replacement headset for my phone but I have to call back on Monday.  

Some electronics I was setting up never did work properly.

Today's outing wasn't a hike; it was an escape, a flight to freedom, a mental reset.  On days when nothing goes right, getting out in the wilderness allows me to think about nothing and set myself right.

Up the steps and into the Wilderness just minutes from home.

Following La Quinta's color coded trail signs I head up Bear Creek.

Desert Lavender and Chuparosa starting to blossom.

I move up this steep walled canyon doing a lot of boulder hopping, which I love.

More boulders

I get to a point in the canyon where I decided I have to go back.  I know there's a waterfall up there and wonder if it has any water but as much as I like boulder hopping, I don't like it in the dark.

Star light, star bright.

The lights are coming on in the city.

I leave the wilderness feeling much more at peace than when I entered it.  

I know I'm only supposed to only leave footprints in the wilderness but today I left all my worries back in that boulder-filled canyon. I head home feeling like I'm starting my day over again.