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.

Happy Returns

January 5, 2009

Day Five

A few weeks ago, I took a group of boys for a hike to the McCallum Grove at the 1000 Palms Oasis.  We hiked out to a little pond and oasis and then looped up over a hill and back to our trailhead.  We were enjoying the moment at the pond so much that I forgot to take any pictures.  I went back today to make up for it.

Here's a sign you probably won't see on any other hike in the desert.

A view of the pond at the McCallum Grove.  Some of the boys referred to this as a "Great big lake".

A palm reflecting in the pond.  Since the temperature was in the 50's I really was not too tempted to disobey the "No Swimming" sign.  On a hot summer day, that might not have been the case.

A family of palms overlooks the pond.

Light reflecting through palm fronds.

The 1000 Palms Oasis is a fascinating place with numerous hikes, none of which are very difficult.  It is a great place to take the whole family.  The area is part of the Coachella Valley Preserve, a 17,000 acre site permanently set aside to remain in its natural state.  

The oases are made possible by the San Andreas Fault which runs through the northern portion of the Coachella Valley.  Faulting allows groundwater to percolate to the surface and provide the constant water source that palms require.  Plant and animal life are abundant in the area and it's a wonderful stop for bird watchers.  I will be back again soon to do some of the other hikes the area offers.

Taking the troops on a march

Took my son, Nikolas, and five of the neighbor kids on a little hike today.  A little hike for me, that is.  For the kids it was like the Bataan Death March over the landscape of the moon.

We went to the 1000 Palm Oasis and hiked to the McCallum Grove.  It's like a mile.  Of course, when you're five years old one mile seems like fifty.  At the McCallum Grove there is a little pond (or a big giant lake to the kids)  which is home to the Desert Pupfish and some crayfish that someone threw in there.  The boys were very excited to see a "crab" and I'm sure their parents will be wonder where on earth I took them when they hear about it.

I have to learn to take more pictures because when I hike I never take enough. I'm too busy enjoying the experience and the surroundings and the company.  I'll try to get better.

Here are a few of the pictures I did take:

I didn't get any pictures of the Grove itself or of the "lake" or of the "crab".  Sorry.  But here we are climbing a hill after leaving the grove.  Johnnie, age 5, was already starting to drag a bit and so Mark gave him a lift.  I was enlisted into that service later.

Here the boys have made it to the top of the hill overlooking the McCallum Grove (on the left).  

Hey!  What's this pile of rocks doing here?

Buh-bye.

Inside the Palm Tree cabin in the Wilhelm Grove, all decorated for Christmas (can you guess which kid is mine?).  This is a fascinating place and I would recommend it to everyone.  There are some really fun hikes to take and it has a very interesting history.  On my next trip, I promise to take more pictures of the landscape, the trees and the pond.

The kids had fun, didn't grumble too much and I'm sure their parents will be grateful when they want to go to bed at about 8 o'clock tonight.