Fun In The Rain and Snow

THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY SIX

My kids are like any Southern California kids; they love to go to the snow. Since I went on Monday I figured it would be fun to take the boys and some friends up to Idyllwild for a little snow play. There was only one problem. While there was plenty of snow on the ground, it was raining all the way up to Humber Park.

The temperature at Humber Park was 36º, just above freezing. I can't think of more miserable conditions for a hike or snow play. I leave the kids to play in the snow for a bit as I head up the Devil's Slide Trail.

On this day, the wilderness is particularly wild. Without proper gear and clothing, hypothermia would set in quickly. Being cold is one thing but being cold and wet is death waiting to happen. It would be better if it were colder and snowing.

I come upon some snow that I know not to eat.

I continue up the trail but head back before going very far. I'm prepared with layers and a waterproof shell but I'm worried about the kids. Most of them are wearing cotton sweatshirts. They are going to be cold when I get back.

They're smiling because I've got the heater in the van going full blast and they're looking forward to having a sauna like ride home.

Worried that I didn't really fulfill my hiking requirement for the day, I went out with Kahlua at night just to be sure. I felt bad that I didn't take her to the snow and had to make it up to her.

There's a slight rain falling but it feels nice compared to the weather earlier today. Next time I go up to the snow I'll either wait until it's actually snowing or go alone.

Wild Is the Wind

DAY EIGHTY ONE

Today in the desert the wind was crazy. There were gusts of probably 70 MPH so it was not a great day to do much of anything. Even a kite would've gotten ripped to shreds. But that wasn't going to stop me from going hiking. I just had a figure out someplace that was somewhat sheltered from the wind.

While I was at work this morning, a palm tree was blown down and smashed a couple of cars. I decided that hiking to one of the palm oases might not be a good idea today.

Ouch. This car is not going to be driven home today.

I decide on this little canyon near my house. It is accessible from the bike path here in La Quinta near Avenida Montezuma and Calle Chillon.

My son, Nikolas, and some of the neighbor kids want to go along. We also bring Kahlua, our dog.

We work our way up the canyon past this large pile of rocks.

We hop over rocks for a while but I don't take many pictures because my eyes are on the kids.

I did manage to get ahead of them and get this one of them scampering up the canyon.

We get to this dry fall and work our way around it. The kids could've actually climbed this if I spotted them (and they wanted to) but the dog wasn't going up it so we figured another way. Kids are natural climbers but dogs, not so much.

We climbed up to a trail and made our way back home that way. Slow down, guys!

It's never too early to start your kid's love affair with hiking. I took both of my children when they were babies in a backpack. From left to right: Markus, age 5, Johnnie, age 6, Amaya, age 5 (and Markus' twin sister), Nikolas, age 10 and Kahlua, age 3.

It turned out to be a great hike because the wind was never a factor and there was not a palm tree in sight.

Snow Place to Hike

Day Forty Five

There's something about fresh snow in the mountains that makes native Southern Californians giddy.  We have never had the experience of shoveling driveways, bundling up just to go outside or having our tongues stuck on a metal pole.  For us, snow means one thing: recreation.  So when I asked the boys if they wanted to go to the snow today they were downright ecstatic. They also wanted to take three friends.  But since I'm a cool dad, I said OK and we piled in the mini van and headed off.  

My father-in-law lives up in the mountains so we headed up to his place.  Since he's about a mile from the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) I left the boys to play in the snow at his place and went down to do a little hike.

Looking up at Santa Rosa Mountain from near the parking area for the PCT.

I'm gonna head south toward Lookout Mountain.  I don't want to leave the kids unattended for too long so I doubt I'll get all the way to the summit.

The trail heads across this hillside.

Even with fresh snow the trail is pretty easy to follow.

Views of the trail continuing south.  If I keep walking in a few days I'll be in Mexico.

This area is called Rock Point.  I wonder why.

This is an interesting little peak.  It think it's called Cone Peak for some reason.

After hiking a mere forty-five minutes I head back to make sure the guys haven't destroyed my wife's father's property.  I am greatly relieved to find them with no broken bones, enjoying the snow.  Had I known they'd be so well behaved, I might have continued on to Lookout Mountain.  Oh well, that'll give me something to do next time.

Ten Hut!

Day Nineteen

Took the boys out to the General Patton Museum in Chiriaco Summit today with one of their buddies.  The boys loved all the tanks and other military paraphernalia at the museum.  While we were there, we even saw Mr. Collins, Nikolas' Fourth Grade teacher!

The museum is a good place to spend an afternoon before going on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park.  Well worth the $4 admission.

A relief map of Southern California.  I'd love a map like this in my house.

The troops lining up near a WWII Willys Jeep.

Attention!

Inspired by the trip to the museum, I decide to take the troops on a forced march.  We hike from Cottonwood Spring.

The boys inspect a bedrock mortar.

It's a deep one.

Climbing a gap on the trail on steps carved in stone.

Salton Sea in the distance.

This doesn't need to be here anymore.

Scrambling down some rocks on the way back.  Going cross country is FUN!

We had a great time on our little excursion and the kids didn't even miss not spending the day playing video games.