.jpg)
Jeffrey Pine and a Numbered Sign
The Woodland Trail is a delightful 1 1/2 mile (2.4 km) interpretive circuit trail in the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake, California.(iPhone6)
The rugged San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California are known for their outdoor activities: mountain biking, rock climbing, horse riding…
These days, I’m usually happy with a gentle hike.
Only two hours out of Los Angeles – but a world away – the charming year-round resort city of Big Bear Lake sits high in the San Bernardinos. There are hiking and biking tracks radiating in all directions around the seven-mile long (11.3 km) eponymous lake.
It was early summer – hot and dry – when we stayed there; ideal walking weather. Unfortunately, I was not-long off crutches after breaking my knee, and for the first several days had to satisfy myself with moderate strolls around town. Towards the end of the week, though, my husband and I grabbed our walking sticks and challenged ourselves to the short, but very steep, Castle Rock Trail.
As short as it was, that popular hike had me exhausted and sufficiently sore that I was happy to search out something really gentle for our last day. The next morning, before driving back to the LAX Airport in Los Angeles for our flight out of the area, we treated ourselves to the shortest and easiest hike in the area: the 1 1/2 mile (2.4 km) interpretive Woodland Trail on the north side of the lake in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Join us for an easy ramble in the woods.
.jpg)
Woodland Trail
The Woodland Trail sets off at a gentle climb …
.jpg)
Western Juniper (Juniperus Occidentalis)
… through the junipers which stretch high overhead.
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)
The arid soil is home to Indian paintbrush …
Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox Divaricata)
… and clumps of phlox.
California Black Oak (Quercus Kellogg)
Overhead, the leaves of the California black oak shine in the sun.
California Black Oak (Quercus Kellogg)
New leaves on the California black oak come through fuzzy and red.
“Water, Water, Everywhere?”
An underground water source keeps thickets of willows alive during seasons of low rainfall. (iPhone)
Desert Primrose (Oenothera deltoides)
Everywhere we look, there are delicate wildflowers in the dry earth.
Wildflowers
White Blossoms
Wildflowers
Prickly Pear and Pine Cones
Ignatius Rocks
Piles of granite rocks on the ridge provide homes for lizards and snakes.
View over Big Bear
The ridge also allows views over the lake and city of Big Bear Lake to the Big Bear Mountain ski runs behind, and through to the grey, bare top of Southern California’s highest peak: Mt. San Gorgonia (11,499 ft; 3515 m) behind. Nicknamed “Old Grayback” for it’s bald appearance, San Gorgonia has an alpine climate too harsh for trees to grow.
Moss on the Trees
In the few shadier spots, moss and lichens thrive.
“Twisted Living and Dead”
Junipers can grow together over time, with dead trunks being surrounded by living trees.
“Wildlife Tree”
Dead trees are an important habitat for many birds and animals.
Lupins on the Verge
After finishing our walk, we drove along North Shore Drive towards the Bear Valley Dam, stopping to admire the lupins growing wild along the roadsides.
Yellow Broom on the Verge
We stopped again, on CA 330 to admire the foliage at the side of the road.
Yellow Broom
The broom smells glorious! Unfortunately, Scotch, Spanish, and French broom are introduced invasive plants that actually contribute to California’s fire risk.
Yellow Broom
They are beautiful, though – and tougher than they look.
San Bernardino Mountains
We enjoyed one last view back over the San Bernardino Mountains before descending the mountain into the smoggy lowlands and following the highways back to Los Angeles.
It was a most enjoyable and interesting short walk – and a nice way to spend a bit of time before re-entering the madness that is Los Angeles International Airport.
Until next time,
Happy Rambling!
My name is Kim Ferguson and I am the marketing and media coordinator for Big Bear Visitor Bureau. I would love to get a copy of your photo “Sweet Broom on the Verge” to use for a blog that I am doing for Spring in Big Bear.We would give you photo credit on the website.My phone number is 909-866-6190 x 230
Hi Kim,
I’ve emailed you. 😀