Morning Stroll

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO

After yesterday's thirty mile jaunt I decided something easy was in order for today, real easy. Since I had to go to work this morning I needed to go and stretch my legs out before going in. They didn't want to cooperate but I went anyway.

I figured the Living Desert Nature Trail would be a good bet because it's mostly flat, it's well maintained and it's close.

Where else would I be able to hike by Christmas decorations? The Living Desert is getting ready for their Wildlights holiday event so there's a lot going on.

When I get to the start of the trail I figure I'd better sign in just in case I pass out 1/2 mile from here.

I look up on the side of the hill to determine if I want to hike up to this exhibit. The answer to that one is easy: NO.

I'll just stick to the simple path today, thank you.

When I get to where the trail narrows and heads into the canyon I see a group heading into the more rugged section of this route. They can have it. I'll be stopping at the table at the shade structure. That'll be far enough for me today.

Yesterday, thirty miles were OK but that extra three would be too far today.

I've got some Antelope Ground Squirrels to keep me company, though, so this is perfect for now. I watch them scurry around on the rocks while I sit and stretch my muscles. The atmosphere and the hike are exactly what I need, relaxing.

Alive Again

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT

I went to the Living Desert today for the first time since summer started. They close down the hiking area during summer to insure that no tourists die out there. It's probably a good idea.

The sign points out to the hiking trails but you have to make a little detour to get there.

They're doing a little project and you have to make your way around it.

I don't remember this but maybe it was because it wasn't too hot when I was last here but I think every trailhead in the desert should have misters.

The Living Desert has animals that aren't part of any exhibit. This Snowy Egret is probably just here to enjoy the misters as well.

This is so tempting. I probably wouldn't think too much about climbing it but when they put out a sign telling me not to it, makes me really want to.

I get to where the trail forks and head to the canyon route.

One of the volunteers is doing a little bit of maintenance in the canyon, lopping some of the Catclaw Acacia. More needs to be done because I still catch my arm on one.

The canyon hike here is really fun with lots of rock hopping. Later this fall I want to follow it to the end but don't have time today. I've got to get to work.

On the way back I get a nice view of the mountains and think about how cool it must be today up on San Jacinto.

The golf cart makes its way back to the main part of the park and I really wish I could get a ride. TAXI!! Oh well, I guess I've just hike back and really, I don't mind. The weather is getting to the point where it's nice to visit the Living Desert and the train will be opening in a week. I think next time I'll bring the kids.

The Privilege of Membership

DAY NINETY SEVEN

I decided to have a little wilderness experience before work today, Living Desert style. Being a member, I get to go in as early as 7 a.m. which is great since I had to work at 10.

They've got this snazzy new sign at the entrance to the hiking area. I am very disappointed, however, that the area will be closed all summer. I guess I just have to go hiking in the mountains and at the beach instead.

There aren't a lot of flowers still blooming but I do get this Desert Chia, salvia columbariae on its last legs.

Rather than head all the way up the trail, I decide to follow the footprints up this wash.

I find some locoweed or Datura growing in the wash. Indians used this stuff to induce hallucinations but it is highly toxic. More than a few people have died trying to use it so I don't even touch it. Some would say I'm loco enough already.

I walk past a couple of signs that say No Trespassing but they are facing away from the Living Desert. I guess they don't want people coming in from this direction.

As I hike up a nearby hill, it is easy to see why. The Vintage Club is right next door and no one wants those deadbeats trying to come in without paying.

As I get to the top of the hill, I find this old lookout area. There is a newer, similar lookout area back off of the main trail. It is obvious that this one has not been used in quite a while. They probably changed the location because the Vintage residents didn't want anyone looking down on them.

I hike down the trail that led to the lookout area. It also hasn't been used in quite a while and is quite eroded. It doesn't help that it was built in the natural waterway instead of up the ridge.

I've seen a few animals on my little excursion, some quails, a Jackrabbit and a falcon. Unfortunately, they were all just a bit too quick for me to get a good picture of them. This roadrunner was nice enough to pose for me.

On my hike back, I find several golf balls that had been launched into the wilderness from those derelicts at the Vintage. From their location, it was obvious that they were purposefully hit into this area. Is it any wonder the Living Desert wants to keep them out?

Disgusted with the disrespect some people have for wild places, even if they're not that wild, I pick up a couple handfuls of leftover trash and deposit them on my way out.

As I head for the exit, I see the teeming masses of non-members getting ready for their time and I'm glad I was able to enjoy the solitude that only membership provides.

Boys Day Out

DAY EIGHTY SEVEN

This morning I asked my son, Nikolas, where HE wanted to hike. He chose the Living Desert. I told him we were going to hike if we went there, not just walk around and look at the animals and he said OK.

He asked if he could bring two of his friends, Eddie and Jakob, along and I said OK. We stopped at the store to pick up a few Lunchables and off we went.

We get to the Living Desert and head straight for the trail.

Well, almost straight for the trail. Nikolas has to stop for a picture with the goofy cutout near the Butterfly and Hummingbird exhibit.

And so does Jakob.

And Eddie.

We hike up the main tourist trail to get to the trailhead of the Eisenhower Trail. There's a lot to read on this board but let me sum it up for you. They named the mountain and trail for a President.

The boys get right to it. Their parents are going to be SO happy tonight when they are ready to crash at about 8:30. It's warm so I just let them go and am content to bring up the rear.

There's a plaque part way up honoring Bill Cook. I bet that's who Cook Street is named for.

This is really a nice trail. I can't believe I've never done the whole thing before. There are tremendous views of Indian Wells and beyond.

The boys are getting tired out and want to stop. I keep pushing them and they are happy when we make it to the halfway point, a picnic table and SHADE.

They try to catch this Desert Iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, and I am secretly pleased when they don't. They'd want to bring him home and I'm sure he'll be much happier up here where he belongs than in some aquarium.

The boys are overjoyed when they see the trail stretching out before them: downhill all the way!

Even still, with the temperature close to 90º even downhill can be taxing so they stop for one last water break before finishing up the hike.

After the end of our hike, we stop in the Living Desert cafeteria for some soda and air conditioning. Rejuvenated, the boys want to look around a bit so we do. We check out the train, the reptiles (a Living Desert employee is doing a hands-on for the kids with an African Boa), the African animals and the petting zoo in the Village Watutu. I finally have to force them to leave since my other son, Harrison, has a baseball game I have to get to.

Don't worry, we'll be back.

It's Alive!

DAY SEVENTY THREE

Today I went and hiked on a local trail that I have never done, the Eisenhower Loop at The Living Desert. I don't know why I've never hiked this trail but it's probably because every time I've gone to the Living Desert no one else wanted to. Today I went with my youngest son, Nikolas, and I didn't give him a choice.

After paying admission to the Living Desert--I bought a Family Membership, which for $75 gives your family admission for a full year and two guest passes and is a great deal--you walk through the park following the signs to the hiking area.

They are very cautious, warning you of the possible extreme weather. Today, however, the weather was wonderful, a nice 80º.

The trails are wide and well maintained. Even grandma and her walker could handle this part.

You will find numerous shade structures and seating areas along the trail. This trail is definitely certainly created with Zoo goers in mind rather than real hikers. Not that hikers won't enjoy it, of course, but it's hardly a wilderness experience.

There are good directions and maps to be found along the way. Not that you could lost the trail anyway. It's HUGE.

And there are little interpretive signs to tell you about what you're seeing.

Now the real hiking begins. You get to a place where the trail enters this canyon and requires a lot of boulder hopping, which I love. My only problem is Nik really wants to go back and look at the animals, the incredible train set they have here and get a Dr. Pepper. But I have a year pass now! I can come back whenever I want and finish the trail on my own! I'll have to do it before it hits the 120º the big sign warns about. I hate the heat.

Hiking back you get a great view of the local mountains and desert terrain. The view in itself is worth the price of admission.