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Flowers in the Rocks
The mountains of Southern California are well known for their sunny blue skies and outdoor activities.
California, the third largest state in the USA, covers some remarkable terrain. With almost 900 miles (1450 km) of Pacific coastline and several mountain ranges, the topography ranges from magnificent forests of giant redwoods to the subtropical Mojave desert.
The state is also home to two of the US’s top-five most populous cities, with their notorious fogs and smogs, and home to my least favourite airport. If I have to travel through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I always heave a sigh of relief when I break free from it.
So it was last June: we dragged our bags out of one of LAX’s terminals, got into a shuttle bus, and finally pointed our rental car east towards San Bernardino. We drove along the multi-lane Foothill Freeway (Interstate 210), not slowing down until we escaped the basin of smog that hung over the lowlands, and started climbing into the San Bernardino Mountains and some welcome fresh air.
Our final destination was the small resort city of Big Bear Lake. The lake for which the city is named is Southern California’s largest recreation lake, and the surrounding hills are criss-crossed with hiking and biking trails.
One of the most popular walks is the short, steep Castle Rock Trail; I was glad I had a new walking stick!
Join us for an uphill-hike.
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California Highway 210
Over an hour out of Los Angeles, and the smog is still with us, hanging over the San Bernardino lowlands and almost obscuring the mountains ahead. (iPhone6)
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Bend in the Road
Finally we rise up out of the smog, into the fresh air above, twisting and curving our way up into the mountains. (iPhone6)
Pathway up to Castle Rock
The Castle Rock Trail is a short (1.3 mile; 2 km), but very steep, walk up to a beautiful rocky crag. The return route is by the same track.
Path to Castle Rock
The first half of the hike is the steepest; we ascended through granite boulders and shrubs …
Sun in the Pines
… as tall pines touched the sky over our heads.
Rocky Pathway
The dry, sandy ground is littered with boulders.
Western Fence Lizard
The sun has brought out countless little lizards – almost invisible against their rocky back-drop.
Tree Trunk
Most of the trees here are Jeffrey Pine, but there are also Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, Western Cedar and Incense Cedar.
Tree Tops
The pines are incredibly tall and straight.
Walkers on the Path
Because this trail is so popular, it has a reputation for being over-crowded. We were lucky – even though it was a Saturday, the other walkers were scattered.
Blossoms on the Bushes
The summer heat has brought out the blossoms. I thought this was Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor), but now I’m not sure.
Steep Climb
It feels as if the path will never level out, as we gain over 500 feet (152 m) …
Rocky Terrain
… before cresting into more level – but just as rocky – terrain.
Uprooted Trees
Fallen trees line the pathway like sculptured art; –
Almost Abstract
– their intricate surfaces polished by wind and sand.
Sap on a Log
Like jewelled amber, beads of sap sit against slowly decaying wood.
Textured Wood
Rock with Character
Finally! Another signpost, indicating that we are on track, comes into view.
Tree on a Rock
Castle Rock itself requires a bit of clambering; with two cameras and a tricky knee, I decided against it! It was nice enough sitting on the view points just below the summit.
Pine Needles
Purple Wildflowers
As we walk carefully back down the hill, we pause to admire the various wildflowers.
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)
Like a Sphinx
The lake comes back into view as we descend …
Long Shadows
… into long afternoon shadows.
The walk down the hill was much quicker than the walk up! While it was only a short hike, the combination of heat, elevation gain (690 ft / 211 m), and starting altitude (Big Bear Lake sits at 6,752 ft / 2,058 m), had us happily exhausted by the time we returned to our car.
Still, we recovered enough over dinner that we were out on a different track the next day. 😀
‘Till next time,
Happy Rambling!
Pictures: 29May2016 and 04June2016
[…] 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. […]