Get Outside and Explore
I hiked 12.5 miles up Skyline Drive to Beek's Place, from Corona, CA for the first time. It's an iconic homestead, centrally located amidst the Saddleback Mountains. It was the home of Joe Beek, a member of the California Senate. His homestead and property are several hundred acres. The remains of the homestead was recently renovated, and the property sold, with the name changed to Beacon's Pines.
Today I would be hiking Wild Horse Trail. I had been wanting to visit the Agua Tibia Wilderness along Hwy 79 in Temecula for some time. This rugged, beautiful, and isolated area, has several peaks to climb along with plenty of jaw dropping scenery. This wilderness area is located within rural San Diego County, about an hour from Orange County. I hiked 12 miles in the wilderness out and back experiencing my first taste of the Agua Tibia Wilderness, a place I vowed to return to again soon.
I decided to embark on a new hiking challenge, I had never before faced before, which was to hike up Mount Baldy in the snow. This was during May, in the late winter snow season. I had no idea the snow would be knee-deep in areas. I was not ready for mountaineering, but had all the right gear for a snow hike. This was a new challenge to face, and challenge was accepted. I was excited to attempt Mt Baldy in the snow, using my best judgment of course.
It reminded me of my hike up Mount Whitney somehow, this toe-crushing, and somewhat soul crushing peak. I had truly met my match with this one. The first thing people mention is that there is no water, the second thing, is about how much water they brought, and the third is about running out of… Continue reading Villager: An Illusive Desert Peak
I feel the best time to hike to a place like Pleasants Peak (Elevation 4007 ft), or anywhere in these mountains is between late fall, and early spring, which is from Mid November to Early February. As soon as snow begins to dust the peaks of Mount Baldy, anywhere from Late November to December, is my cue to switch to hiking in the foothills. The weather is always milder in the foothills below 5000 feet, versus up at high altitude.
Serafina Hikes 