Bear Creek Ridge

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX

Yesterday when I hiked up the Boo Hoff Trail I looked and saw what seemed to be a trail on another ridge. The location would be a good place for a trail, above the Bear Creek drainage. It would be a good spot for a trail because there is a palm oasis in Bear Creek but accessing it requires a difficult climb up the creek bed. Going up a ridge would much easier.

When I leave the wind is gusting. I hate the wind. Give me rain, snow, heat or freezing cold. All those things are tolerable without the wind and unbearable with it.

At least the front that is causing this crazy wind is being held at bay. There would be no exploration possible if it were raining.

I get out to the entrance of Bear Creek Canyon-when was the last time any bears were here?-and find there is NO way a trail goes up from here.

However, it is possible to get up on the ridge a little further up canyon.

Does this look like a trail? It could be. Maybe. Sort of.

If it is, it quickly disintegrates into a rocky trail-less slope.

I get up the hill a bit but any sign of a trail is unapparent.

I get well above Bear Creek Canyon and a large dry fall that is a formidable obstacle to those going up the canyon. I know. I've done this whole canyon before.

Above the canyon is what could possibly be a trail climbing out of the canyon. I'd like to follow it further but the wind up here is horrendous. There are gusts exceeding 50 MPH and I have to squat in order not to be toppled over. I also need to get back before dark. I do not want to be up here after dark. With steep, loose, rocky slopes and deadly drop offs that is not a place I want to be without sufficient light. Even though I brought a headlamp, I plan on using it in the canyon and not up here. I didn't find what I was looking for but I found enough to make me want to come back...on a nice day with plenty of time and no wind.

Run Like The Wind

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN

I am still not back to full strength after being sick last weekend but I'm well on the way. I'm probably 75%. It's a pleasure to be able to almost breathe normally again.

This morning I went over to the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve to check out a trail there that I had not done yet. It is on the backside of the Mesa Trail and you catch it from the trail that goes the Moon Country. I got to the trailhead and realized I left my camera at home so I snapped a few pictures with my iPhone.

Hike like you're going to Moon Country, only veer to the left side of the wash near the mountain. It's a little shorter this way and the sand is firmer.

There are a couple of trail markers so you can't miss the trail.

The trail is new and is in very good shape. It's not too steep and is good for running, not too rocky.

The only rocks at this point are reinforcements at some of the switchbacks.

As you get toward the top, this trail offers splendid views of Mount San Gorgonio.

And also, Mount San Jacinto. In fact, it has a great 360º view from the top.

There WAS a cross standing here but it was obviously blown down by the wind. It was QUITE windy when I was there this morning but it felt great. So great, in fact, that I pretty much ran the whole way back. And with the wind at my back, I made it back to the car in what must have been record time. I can only imagine what I'll do when I'm 100%.