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.

Construction Ahead

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT

After a few days on the road, it was time to do something close to home. I've been very vocal about the dearth of dog friendly hiking trails and the need for new ones, so I decided to head over to the area I think should become the Kahlua Trail.

The area at the top of the La Quinta Cove is incredibly popular with hikers so there is an increasing need for more trails.

There are some areas where trail work will be fairly easy.

Just by kicking rocks out of the way I managed to create over 15 feet of trail.

Of course, in some areas it won't be that easy.

This section will also be pretty easy and Kahlua gives this portion of the route her full approval.

But for every easy section is another that's will be quite a challenge.

But all the pieces fit together and I think this will one day be a nice trail for dogs and their people. Next year, I think I'll have the time to make it happen.

Red Canyon and Gucci Spring

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVEN

Some days I have no idea where I'll end up when I set out to hike and today was one of those. I had several ideas about place and I ended going to none of them. For some reason I was drawn to head down Interstate 10 heading toward Arizona. There were options on a number of outings that I've done but just not this year. The Lost Palms Oasis, Victory Palms or Carey's Castle were possibilities. I chose none of them. Instead I headed out to an area south of the Orocopia Mountains. I don't know why. That's just where I ended up.

It is important that you pay close attention to where you're driving down here. There's something about live ordnance that could really wreck your day.

I decide to drive back near this giant sand castle and see what's around.

A 4WD is pretty much necessary to get access to most of the places around here.

But there are some places even a Jeep can't go. The canyon ends pretty soon here at a dry sandstone waterfall that I will not attempt to climb alone. I think it's climbable but, in case it's not, I like having a spotter. So I'm off to somewhere else.

There are a ton of little canyons in these mountains so I'll have to be coming back again but today is just an exploratory trip, anyway.

I hike up a steep old Jeep trail and look down on where I came from.

There is no real place that I have to go and see but I can tell there are a couple of old foot paths that lead out of other canyons that may be worthy of future exploration.

It's obvious that I'm not the first explorer in these parts.

After taking in the view I decide to head off someplace else.

Now this is a place I just have to check out.

After a hike up a wash I come to the site of Gucci Spring. I think Prada Spring and Dolce and Gabbana Spring are right around the corner.

The water is cold and clear.

The white minerals left on the surface by the water looks almost like a thin layer of snow.

Looking around a bit I come upon a trail leaving the spring and heading east. The earth here has a rich brown color that looks like milk chocolate.

The trail continues onward but to where? When was the last time this trail was in regular use and where did the trail users live? I will definitely be coming back here. In just a short afternoon I found several interesting canyons and a couple of trails that I never knew existed. Imagine what I might find in a weekend.

Forty Nine Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX

There are some places that you visit which surprise you. You aren't really sure what to expect and they are better than you imagine. The Fortynine Palms Oasis is one of those places.

I'd never been to the oasis so it took a few wrong turns before I got to the trailhead but I got there. And I also know how NOT to get there.

It's nice to see some government stimulus money going to good use. Not only is there a nicely maintained trail to the oasis, I found three trails going there.

The main trail has lots of obvious improvements and is wide and well graded.

I was expecting this trail to be fairly flat and follow some canyon but it gains elevation right out of the parking lot and is up on a ridge. I wonder if there is a way to get to the oasis from the canyon below but that'll have to wait for another day.

From near the top of the trail you can look down and see some palms of the oasis below.

Now let's see: one, two, three, forty-nine.

The oasis is a cool place but the Park Service has certain restrictions on where you can visit. They say it's a sensitive biological area. Whatever. I think they just want to keep deadbeats from vandalizing the area so I guess it's OK.

With three trails leading into the oasis from just one direction I can imagine what other trails might head out from here in different directions.

There is water available on the surface and there are probably many other interesting little spots to discover but the Park Service greatly restricts your movement in the oasis. It's pretty crowded so I can understand why. I guess the place has gotten trashed in the past.

But despite the restrictions this is an enjoyable hike, suitable for almost all members of the family. It also has a lot of promise for further adventures. If three trails lead into this place from just one directions, who knows how many others lead out of here?

Lazy Day at the Preserve

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE

I have just finished my eleventh month of hiking every day and I have to say it has been an incredible experience and one that has been a pleasure to participate in. Also, I'm tired and my feet hurt.

I have one month to go and I think I'll be able to tough it out until the end but if you have any suggestions on places I can hike within an hour of the Coachella Valley, let me know. I have been to some great places and I still have a few special spots planned for this next month but I'm open to suggestions. I don't want to have to keep doing the same hikes over and over again if I can help it.

There is one hike I never get tired of, though and that's the hike to the McCallum Pond in the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve. It's interesting, it's flat and it's pretty, perfect for a day when I'm tired and my feet hurt.

It always feels so nice to come here for some reason.

Last year they started to redo this walkway with new handrails but I guess they've just decided to leave it how it is. That's OK with me but it just seems a little odd.

The Pond is just the perfect distance for me today. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's not a Lazy-Boy but it'll do.

I'd like to go and stop at the Visitor's Center but that would mean walking a few hundred extra yards so I'll bypass that today. My feet will thank me. They are really looking forward to the shoes coming off and a little massage. And actually, the trail to the pond is so well traveled and sandy it's almost like a walk on the beach. I wonder if I could make it without shoes? Next time I think I'll try that.