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.

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.

Go East, Young Man

Day Forty One

Mount San Jacinto looking sublime under a fresh layer of snow.

The mountains were spectacular today with their new coat of fresh snow.  I was already to go up  and spend the day snowshoeing but one thing got in my way: life.  Yes, things do not always work out the way I want them to.  

First, I had to take the kids to school.  Then, the Tram does not open until 10 a.m. so I'd have to wait for that.  Finally, I had to be at work at 12 so my time was somewhat limited.  What to do?  I hightailed it east where I couldn't see all that snow.  I  went out by the Hayfield Dry Lake and I hike out to a little canyon there.  

After a couple of wrong turns I get to  the edge of the wilderness and head up toward the canyon I want to visit.

I see this large boulder with some petroglyphs on it.  Seems like I came to the right place.

Up high on this hillside, it looks like an old mine.  I'll have to come back and check that out another time.

As I enter the canyon I see this little dugout area and wonder if it's a mining test dig or has some other significance.

Just inside the mouth of the canyon is a nice panel of pictographs.  Pictographs are painted onto the rocks rather than etched into the desert varnish like petroglyphs.  They are under a little overhang and so have not been washed off although some have faded.

On this rock in the wash, there are two nice size bedrock mortars.  There is also a lot of sand on this rock.  I wonder.....

After a bit of excavation, I find other bedrock mortar, larger than the other two.

There are also a number of petroglyphs in the area.  Hopefully, when I get more time I can come back and explore a bit more to see what else I can find.

On the drive home, I get a full view of the beauty of our snow covered mountains.  I missed playing in the snow today but I got to explore a special place that I'm looking forward to returning to soon.

Ireland in Palm Springs

Day Forty

With the day off work, I was planning a little excursion to Joshua Tree.  That didn't work out. My brother was going with me but he changed his plans at the last minute and, driving down the I-10, it was quite easy to tell that Joshua Tree got a fair amount of snow.  I love the snow but for the hike I planned it just wouldn't do.  Time for an alternate plan.

I drove over to Snow Creek and thought about hiking up toward the PCT and the Indian rock shelter over there when something caught my eye: a palm oasis growing to the east of Snow Creek.  That looks interesting so I decide to head out over there.

The area is so green it's hard to believe this is the desert.  With the rain and the grass it's more like what I think Ireland must be like.

I hike over to the palms and discover they've been burned but appear to be healthy.

Looks like some kind of spring.  It's the only surface water at this oasis.

I hike up the hill behind the palms and look down on the oasis.

A bit higher on the hill I am able to look up at the snow capped mountains.  I would guess the snow level was down to about 3,500 feet.

I wander around the hillside and find this guzzler.

I also find this contraption and cannot imagine what it would be doing here.

The Jeep is way down there (look close) and it's starting to cloud up a bit more so I decide to head out.

As I get back to the Jeep the clouds are starting to drop more and the rain gets steadier.

By the time I make it to the main road, it's pouring.

Oh wait, I'd better clean off my lens.  The clouds have dropped all the way down and the rain is coming down hard.  It's been a great day for hiking but now it's time to get home and have an Irish Coffee.