Sunday October the 7th
Today we went out in search of a Water Falls and Aspen Grove. The 47 mile route would take us up and over the mountains - several times. The mountain scenery was breath taking.
We passed over Onyx Summit, 8443', across
Barton Flats and then down to the Santa Ana River Valley to the Falls Valley Road. On the route back we hunted for the road to the Aspen Grove and after a bit of trail and error, finally made. Quite a day!
This is the route we took - 47 scenic miles along route 38
Some of the areas we visited and passed through.
Click on the photos below for a larger image.
One of many fine views we had while travelling along Rt 38 between Big Bear and Forest Falls.
We passed through Barton Flats where there are a number of USFS campgrounds. Not only were they all closed and gated but there was heavy black plastic wrapped around all the USFS road signs.
When we arrived at Mill Creek Recreation area we found it gated and closed as well. Another casualty of the Washington Fiasco.
After parking our vehicle outside the gate we started the walk up the trail towards the falls. There were many big trees. If you look closely you can see Cindi at the base of this tree.
Same tree, closer look. Mill Creek is in the background.
Same tree - bark detail. I am not positive but this may be Jeffrey pine, (Pinus jeffreyi).
Thanks to Michael L. Charters for helping with this ID. His CalFlora site has a ton of info. Check it out:
http://www.calflora.net/
Along the trail we saw many interesting boulders like this.
The trail crossed Mill Creek. This is looking east up the wash. It must be interesting to see this during the spring snow melt.
This sign was on the other side of the creek where the trail started to climb up the mountain.
And climb we did. We stopped to rest a bit and then decided to turn back. We knew the falls would be just a trickle. And the mosquitos and gnats were pestering us as well. Time to look for a more pleasant place to hike and save this for another day.
This is looking down Mill Creek to the west. Endless mountains.
When we got back to the car we were approached by a green shirted USFS volunteer who gave us all kinds of shit about where we, and others had parked. He threatened ticketing, fines and impoundment if we did not leave. Nice. And we thought this was public property. Silly us...
Now it was on to the next stop - the Aspen Grove in the San Gorgonia Wilderness.
Our directions proved to be a bit cryptic and we were not quite sure where to go.
Cindi was able to reach Phil who gave up directions and eventually we found it. This proved tricky because of the covered road signs. But we finally figured it out.
We made it!
Our first look at the Aspen Grove. I took a bunch of pictures. Of course it is damn near impossible to really show the beauty of this spot. But here are a few snaps:
There were several big White Fir here. Amazing!
My last shot of the Aspens as we headed back out.
This gnarly old Redwood was growing right out of the cracks in the rocks.
By now it was around 5:30. We made our way back down the rocky and rutted road and out to Rt 38 and were soon back at Big Bear.
Cindi cooked us a tasty dinner of wild caught Salmon and I fixed us up a salad. A great way to end the day.
Tomorrow's plans? Unknown. I just found out most of the access roads to Joshua Tree NP are gated shut and tickets are being issued to trespassers.
I came all the way from West Virginia to see the Joshua Trees. But, at least I did not come all the way from Europe like so many others! Bummer...
'Till next time...